Ahmedabad, one of the fastest-growing cities in western India, is the commercial capital of Gujarat. Located on the banks of the Sabarmati River, it has had a colourful history dating back to antiquity unlike the new metropolitan city. It has numerous fashionable hotels, glittering shopping malls, high-rise business buildings and innumerable vehicles ranging from the latest sleek limousines to three-wheelers. Looking back in 1411, the city now known as 'Ahmedabad' was founded by Sultan Ahmed Shah, who named it after himself. During the Sultanate, the rulers encouraged the merchants, members and crafts in come to Ahmedabad and make it a flourishing commercial and industrial city. An imperial atelier was located here, which produced exquisite textile and other artifacts for the Imperial Court at Delhi. Even in those days, experts contributed to Ahmedabad's prosperity A hilarious Ahmedabadi is renowned for his spirit of enterprise. Over a hundred years ago, Indian entrepreneurs established textile mills in Ahmedabad. Soon enough, the chimneystacks of these modern composite mills covered almost the entire skyline, giving it the sobriquet 'Manchester of India' over a hundred years. It is no surprise therefore that Ahmedabad continued to grow. With the phenomenal increase in population, the demand for more urban facilities, including accommodation, and the entire infrastructure considered essential to modern life, began putting a tremendous strain on the existing civic amenities. The main characteristic of Ahmedabad is that it continues to remain, as it was in the beginning, a commercial city, and a major center of trade. Today's city, with its teeming millions, its crowded streets, and burgeoning industries reflects some of these changes.