Why was a brand new capital city built in India during the late 1960s?
In short: Gandhinagar was conceived as a purely Indian enterprise to replace Ahmedabad as the capital of Gujarat. Named after Mahatma Gandhi, the city was developed by planners who apprenticed under Le Corbusier. Today, it stands as a political hub and a remarkably green urban center on the banks of the Sabarmati River.
The creation of Gandhinagar was deeply tied to the political restructuring of India. In 1960, the former Bombay state was divided into Maharashtra and Gujarat based on linguistic lines. As Gujarat sought to establish its own identity, the decision was made to build a new capital city. Construction began in 1966, with a deliberate focus on creating a purely Indian urban project. This vision was executed by chief architect H.K. Mewada and his assistant Prakash M. Apte, both of whom had gained experience working with the renowned architect Le Corbusier during the development of Chandigarh.
Located on the west bank of the Sabarmati River, Gandhinagar sits just north of Ahmedabad, which had served as the state's former capital and remains its largest city. The city's name honors Mahatma Gandhi, who had established his famous Sabarmati ashram in the nearby region as a base for his campaigns against British rule. The site was chosen not only for its proximity to the state's economic heart but also to provide a fresh administrative center for the newly formed state.
Beyond its administrative role, Gandhinagar has evolved into a unique environment. It is often referred to as India's tree capital, boasting a significant green cover that spans over 50 percent of its land area. The city serves as a critical political and strategic node, housing state emergency management facilities and maintaining proximity to military command posts. While it remains a planned administrative center, it is increasingly integrated into the broader regional infrastructure, including ongoing metro expansions that link it directly to the industrial and commercial activity of Ahmedabad.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Gandhinagar | Map, History, & Facts | Britannica
- Also: Gandhinagar
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