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Surat
Columbia Encyclopedia entry: Surat
Suratsoo'rət, soorăt', city (1991 pop. 1,518,950), Gujarat state, W central India, on the Gulf of Khambat. British and Dutch trading posts were established there in the early 17th cent. Surat became one of India's most populous cities and busiest ports during the 17th cent.; but in 1664 it was sacked by the Marathas and declined in importance. The city is a district administrative center, a small port, and a railroad junction, but is most important as the world's largest diamond cutting and polishing center. Traditional cottage industries have been revived, and the city produces noted silks, brocades, and gold and silver goods. There are textile mills, cotton gins, and engineering works. Surat is also the educational and cultural center of S Gujarat.

The Columbia Encyclopedia. Copyright © 2001-09 Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

Wikipedia search results for: Surat
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Surat formerly known as Suryapur or Khubsoorat, is the eighth largest city in India. The city proper is the seventh most populous city in India and 49th in the world. Surat is the administrative capital of Surat district. The city is situated on the left bank of the Tapti River, 14 miles from its mouth. The Population of Surat with its Twin City Navsari is above 6.3 million as of 2009. A moat divides the older parts of the city, with its narrow streets and handsome houses, and the newer suburbs. The city is largely recognized for its textile and diamond businesses. It is also known as the diamond capital of the world and the textile...more »
Columbia Encyclopedia search results: Surat
Results 1 - 5  of 5
  • Child, Sir John

    Child, Sir John, d. 1690, English administrator in India. In 1680 he was appointed the British East India Company's agent at Surat, then the company's main factory (i.e., trading station) in W...

  • Gujarat

    Gujarat, state (2001 provisional pop. 50,596,992), c.75,686 sq mi (196,077 sq km), W India, on the Arabian Sea. It is comprised of almost all of the Kathiawar peninsula, the desolate Rann of K...

  • Śivaji

    Śivaji or Shivaji, 1627–80, Indian ruler, leader of the Marathas. The son of a Maratha chieftain, he was imbued from early childhood with hatred of the Mughal empire, which controlled most of ...

  • plague

    Plague, any contagious, malignant, epidemic disease, in particular the bubonic plague and the black plague (or Black Death), both forms of the same infection. These acute febrile diseases are ...

  • India

    India, officially Republic of India, republic (2005 est pop. 1,080,264,000), 1,261,810 sq mi (3,268,090 sq km), S Asia. The second most populous country in the world, it is also sometimes call...

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