Gujarat is a state filled with crafts and craftsmanship of all kinds. Ahmedabad is also known as the ‘City of Mills’. There are many that call it the ‘Manchester’ of India. The city has numerous cotton and textile mills. It is the cheap land and labor as well as the availability of raw material that has led to a large-scale development of these textile mills. The other major industry is the pharmaceuticals industry. The state is rich in calcite, gypsum, manganese, lignite, bauxite, limestone, agate, feldspar and quartz sand and successful mining of these minerals is done in their specified areas. Kalol Khambat and Ankaleshwar are today known for their oil and natural gas production. ‘Dhuranan’ has a thermal power station, which uses coal, oil and gas. The Tarapur nuclear station in Maharashtra supplies the remaining power.

Gujarat also produces about 90% of India’s required amount of Soda Ash and gives the country about 66% of its national requirement of salt. The traditional industry of Gujarat is textiles, though it has diverted its attention into other fields too. Petrochemical industry, oil refinery as well as the automobile industries are also present here. General Motors produces the ‘Astra’ car near Vadodara. Apart from the pharmaceutical products, cement, industrial machinery, vegetable oil and battery industries are also important parts of the state’s economy. Another sector, in which Gujarat has been focusing, is the small-scale industry. These include Handicrafts, Jewellery, Pottery as well as the Dairy Industry. The dairy industry functions on a cooperative basis and has more than a million members. During ‘Operation Flood’ the European community helped Gujarat’s dairy industry. Surplus milk from Europe was given to the industry. Local supply was also increased. The ‘Amul’ products are well known all over India. The jewellery produced in the state is beautiful, finely crafted and distinctive in style. It is also known for its copper ware and brassware. The Handicrafts industry includes embroidery tie-and-dye, ‘Bandhani’ products, hand-block printing of cloth, leatherwork, Tanchoi silk work as well as the Gajee silks, gold brocade and fine craftsmanship of wood inlay work. The copper and brass screens as well as betel boxes are well known throughout India. The block printers use vegetable dyes and the embroidery work uses beads and mirrors supplements. Gujarat also has talented stone and Lac workers (mainly producing lacquer boxes and bangles) and ivory carvers. The puppet craft is also well known in the state. The Kutch peninsula as well as the Kathiawar Peninsula, has a number of tribal communities and villages. They all have a distinctive style of dressing and each practice a different craft. Some of the Kutch tribes are Rabaris, Ahirs and Meghwals. The barren landscape of the region brings the colorful handicrafts of the area, sharply into focus. Embroidered hangings are available in a variety of bright colors. Pottery made of lime paste and mirror work decoration brightens the place. The weaving communities have pit looms, which are traditional and can be worked, from home. People like to dress in a colorful traditional way and also favor jewellery. Some have a tendency of leaning towards heavy jewellery. The love of craftsmanship can be seen in almost all aspects of their lives. The architecture of the place, and temples as well as the intricate gateways of the villages all tells of the love of the arts. Mirror work, applique work, bead embroidery, leather embroidery, enamel work, rugs made from wool and felt are all very popular, Gujarat is well known for its tribal or community handicrafts. You can see the ‘Sooph’; embroidery, Rogan painting on cloth, wood carving, patchwork, wall paintings, bell making etc. The master craftsmen of patan still make the patola silk saris, which are famous throughout India.

Surat is known for its silk saris, gold embroidery brocade work and Ahmedabad that is known for its block printing crafts.