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Manek Burj: Ahmedabad's Foundation Stone

Discover Ahmedabad's origins at Manek Burj, the city's oldest bastion and a landmark steeped in history and local legend.

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Manek Burj, also known as Manek Buraj, is the oldest bastion in Ahmedabad, India. It marks the foundation of the city, laid in 1411 by Ahmed Shah I, and is linked to the revered saint Maneknath. Today, it stands as a reminder of Ahmedabad's rich history.

A brief summary to Manek Burj

  • 2HCG+RWG, Swami Vivekananda Rd, Ahmedabad, Old City, Raikhad, Gujarat, 380006, IN

Local tips

  • Visit early in the morning or late afternoon for the best lighting for photographs.
  • Explore the surrounding Old City for authentic street food and local crafts.
  • Engage with local guides to gain deeper insights into the history and significance of Manek Burj.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    If you are in the Old City area, Manek Burj is easily accessible by foot. For example, from Manek Chowk, head southwest for about 10-15 minutes. Follow the main road to Swami Vivekananda Rd. Continue walking straight for another 5 minutes until you see Manek Burj on your left.

  • Public Transport

    From Ahmedabad Railway Station, take a local bus towards Raikhad. Buses with the sign 'Old City' or 'Raikhad' will take you directly there. After approximately 20-30 minutes, disembark at the 'Swami Vivekananda Rd' stop. From the bus stop, walk east along Swami Vivekananda Rd for about 5 minutes. Manek Burj will be on your left. Bus fare is typically around ₹10-₹20.

  • Taxi

    Taxis and auto-rickshaws are readily available throughout Ahmedabad. A taxi from the Ahmedabad Airport (AMD) to Manek Burj will cost approximately ₹340 - ₹410 and take about 9 minutes. From the Ahmedabad Railway Station, a taxi to Manek Burj will cost ₹80 - ₹100 and take about 1 minute.

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Discover more about Manek Burj

Manek Burj, meaning 'Ruby Bastion,' is a historical landmark in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. As the foundation bastion of Bhadra Fort in the old city, it holds immense significance as the symbolic starting point of Ahmedabad. Sultan Ahmed Shah I laid the city's foundation stone here on February 26, 1411. The bastion is named after the Hindu saint Maneknath, who, according to legend, helped Ahmed Shah I build the Bhadra Fort. Some stories say that Maneknath would create hurdles in the fort's construction with his powers, and others say he helped Ahmed Shah I locate the site from where the construction of the fort started. The 13th generation descendants of Maneknath still perform prayers and hoist a flag at Manek Burj on Ahmedabad's foundation day and during the Vijayadashami festival. The structure itself is approximately 53 feet (16 meters) high. It once housed a roofed stepwell, Manek Kuva, which had a circumference of 77 feet (23 meters). However, the Sabarmati River changed its course, causing the well to dry up and be sealed in 1866. Ellis Bridge, the city's first bridge across the Sabarmati, was built near the bastion in 1869. In 1999, the bridge was widened, leading to a partial demolition and later restoration of Manek Burj. Today, Manek Burj stands as a testament to Ahmedabad's past, connecting visitors to the city's founding and the legends that shaped it.

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