Sambodhi 2018 Vol 41

Author(s): J B Shah
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 74

The Jains in Ahmedabad
Jitendra B. Shah
Present Ahmedabad is the biggest city of Gujarat in terms of area and population. Earlier, the city was known as Ashaval or Ashavalli, named after Asha Bhil who was king of Bhil community which lived in this area. Dada Muzaffar Shah, grandfather of founder of Ahmedabad, lived here for a long time as he loved this city. Alberuni, in his Quite-Ulf-Hind, has mentioned about Ahmedabad in 1030 AD.
Ahmedabad is nowadays also known as Amdavad. The city has a different character from other cities of India. It was the only city in India which survived many foreign attacks. In 1830, a British officer reported* to Company Government that "in this country, a general dislike to our government is that under our ruled cities are always destroyed, but Ahmedabad is the only exception." This is because of the insight people of Ahmedabad possess. They are hard-working and rational as well. Trade is in their blood. An Amdavadi is perseverant and composed. Simplicity and self-sufficiency are their mantras for existence. An Amdavadi is soft-spoken and has peaceful disposition. He is wise in practice. He never gets excited by anything and finds solution of every problem. He is truthful so keeps his word at any cost.
An Amdavadi is calculative in his daily routine, but when it comes to charity, he is the most generous. Moreover, economic supremacy and social dignity of affluent businessmen have been the flavors of Ahmedabad. The businessmen of Ahmedabad had much influence on the rulers hence the rulers were always responsive to their advise. Thus business tycoons had a big say in shielding the people from cruel clutches of the rulers. The city has its cultural and political history of more than one thousand years. Jains in Ahmedabad :
Ahmedabad has been a business centre with social and religious leaning