Surat: City History, Science and Cuisine

Surat Between Trade and Diamond Cutting

Surat is one of Gujarat’s oldest cities and was an ancient trading center of India. The Indian Ministry of Tourism calls the city the “Diamond Capital of the World”; it is credited with nearly 90 percent of the world’s diamond cutting and polishing. In Surat, a historic trading heritage sits alongside a defining image of the diamond industry.

City History in Its Buildings

The Clock Tower was built in 1871 by Khan Bahadur Burjorjee Hormusjee Fraser for 14,000 rupees. Surat Fort also offers a specific historical connection: the Surat Municipal Corporation led its restoration, and the Indian Prime Minister inaugurated the fort virtually on September 29, 2022.

Mughal Sarai is an old monument in Surat. Its façade features arches, cornices, decorated parapets and sculpted patterns. The building was originally constructed in 1644 under Emperor Shah Jahan as a sarai, or inn for travelers. Its name therefore refers to the building’s former function; the façade also offers architectural details of its own.

Museums and Collections

The Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Museum is located in Chowkbazar. Its collection includes traditional textiles, porcelain, glassware and metalware, paintings, old books and wood carvings. The collection gives a museum visit a different focus from the city’s architectural history.

Festivals, Textiles and Regional Cuisine

Uttarayan, the kite festival, is celebrated in Surat. During Navratri, people of all ages celebrate with Dandiya-Raas and Garba dances. The two festivals represent different forms of celebration that are rooted in the city’s cultural life.

Surat’s textile markets carry saris, salwar kameez and fabric pieces, as well as polyester, silk, printed and embroidered fabrics. Individual vendors and products vary. The merchandise thus ranges from garments to fabrics made from different materials and with different finishes.

Regional specialties in Surat include Surati Undhiyu, Locho, Ghari and Surti Sev Khamani. Locho is a steamed snack made from chickpea flour and lentils and is intended to be eaten right away. Ghari, a sweet, is well known in Surat. If you want to explore the local cuisine, these names offer a concrete introduction to the city’s specialties.

Science at the Aquarium and Science Centre

The Jagdish Chandra Bose Aquarium is located in Surat’s Pal area and houses more than 100 fish species. At the Science Centre, the Fun Science Gallery displays more than 50 exhibits on scientific principles, including Newton’s laws, the Bernoulli principle, optics and electromagnetic induction. The number of exhibits may change.

At the Science Centre planetarium, a theater presents planets, the Moon, stars and nebulae. Together with the Fun Science Gallery’s topics, this creates a science-focused experience spanning physical principles to celestial bodies.

Exploring and Getting Around

The Heritage Walk takes visitors to the city’s art, architecture and culture. If you want to include it in your stay, check the latest information about its availability beforehand.

The Armenian cemetery is next to Surat’s British and Dutch cemeteries. Its gravestones are densely inscribed and do not have the structures found at the other two cemeteries. The cemeteries can be difficult to find. If you plan to visit, it is advisable to check directions and current access arrangements beforehand.

Near the destination, the Nature Park is on the left bank of the Tapi, upstream and about 10 kilometers from Surat City.

For the broader travel overview: Surat.