A part of Indiaonline network empowering local businesses
Home city guide monuments in surat

Monuments in Surat

The history of Surat can reach back to 300 BC. The city of Surat is a melting pot of the multicultural diversity and a fine analogy of the historicity of the place merging with its present modern day industrial evolution.
 
Gujarat being one of the wealthiest states in India is known for its commercial potential. The monumental heritage of the city speaks tons of the ravage of time. Exceptional architecture, massive features and marvelous feats of engineering collaborated to give a grandeur and eloquence to these massive structures.

Traces of the city’s historical past stand still in Surat, through its monuments. The massive structures take you back to the ancient days of prosperity during various King-ships and Sultanates and Empires. The invasions, annexations and the struggles the city faced are all recorded in the ruins of these buildings.

The Old Fort in Surat

Built by the then ruler Muhammad bin Tughlaq, the fort stands strong against the ravage of time and history. The structure was erected essentially to defend against the rebellion of the Bhil tribe. 

The marvelously carved pillars juxtaposed to the strong fence and iron bars are a brilliant testimony of the history of the city.

Fort in Surat

The fort has sprawling lawns and gardens, with several buildings for residents, a masjid and a maqbara or Tomb made in honor of the ruler. Muhammad bin Tughlaq Tomb is a piece of beautiful asymmetric stone carving and Islamic Architecture.
 
Visiting Time - You can visit the fort from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on all weekdays.

Surat Castle

Built as a defense against the invaders, the Castle stands pretty much as a forgotten site in Surat by the present generation. Situated near the Tapti River the main water body that flows along the city.

The castle is a marvel of architecture built under the supervision of Khudawand Khan a noble in the court of Sultan Mahmood in 1546 on a site previously used as a fort built by Sultan of Delhi, Firoz Shah Tughlaq.

Monuments in Surat

The main castle building is used for administrative and judicial offices at present. The castle gives a picturesque view of the river Tapti. 

Although the royal castle is in shambles now, it’s anyways a must visit site that gives you a clear picture of the past royalty merging into this present administrative premises.

Visiting Time- Royal Castle remains open for visitors on all weekdays from dawn to dusk.

Mughal Sarai in Surat

It is the building presently used as an office complex by SMC or Surat Municipal Corporation. Originally meant to be a “sarai” or “Musafarkhana” inn or guesthouse, the ancient Mughal Sarai building was constructed under Mughal dominance during the tenure of Mugal Emperor Shah Jahan in 1644 A.D. 

In 18th century, under the British rule, the complex was used as a jail. Since 1867 the premises is occupied by the Municipal Corporation of the city.

Historical Building in Surat

The building is a fine analogy of architectural qualities in its composition of cornices, arches, sculptured patterns, decorated parapets on the facade. The building is erect on solid foundation with impeccable strength. 

Vising Time- Mughal Sarai is open from dusk to dawn.

Mosques in Surat

Surat has a number of fine Islamic architecture worth visiting we have enlisted four best among the mosques and other premises that stand still as beautifully withstanding the passage of time. The Saiyid Idrus Mosque was built in 1639 in the honor of the ruler. 

The towering minaret of the mosque is a local landmark. Nausaiyid Mosque at the bank of Gopi Lake is also known for the nine warrior’s tombs located beside it. Khwaja Diwan Sahib’s Mosque interspersed with local history is another place to visit once.

The Indo-Iranian style of Mirjan Sami Mausoleom, built in 1540 by Khudawand Khan is also a must watch. With excellent stone carving, the premise is indeed in our lists of monuments to visit when you are in Surat.

Vising Time- The mosques and mausoleum are open from dusk to dawn on all week days.

Cemeteries in Surat

The tombs in the Dutch, English and Armenian cemeteries in Surat are considered important monuments. History says that the competition between the English and the Dutch to impress the natives with their power, grandeur and burial culture prompted them to erect such marvelous structures that the cemetery looks more like mausoleums rather than graves with tombstones. 

Many of these structures are ridiculously large and ornamental. The cemeteries are now stretched as a forgotten territory in Surat, but worth seeing even at their forgotten, far from preserved state.

English Cemetery- The English cemetery is a set lavish structure with arches and domes features with bricks and stucco. 

These are pre colonial buildings built by the East India Company under Mughal Empire. The earliest inscriptions on the tombs date back to 1649. 

The Dutch Cemetery- There are three main highlights (read tombs) in the cemetery situated near the Katargam Road Surat, Gujarat. The structures in the cemetery exhibit fanatic mastery of art even when the tombs are nothing like their original state. The Dutch Cemetery is also popularly known as Dutch Garden.

Armenian Cemetery- The cemetery is adjacent to the Dutch cemetery situated near Katargam Road Surat, India. There is only one mausoleum and a main chapel structure which is supposed to have been built around 1579. Around the chapel, there are about 200 graves with tombstones in this cemetery.

Best Time to Visit Surat

The best time to visit the Surat , India is from October to March. The weather in summers here is very humid and steamy and thus totally unfit to explore the historical wealth of monuments in the city.

How to Reach Surat

By Air: Surat Airport facilitates daily flights from New Delhi
By Rail: The city is well connected to major Indian cities including Delhi, Mangalore, Kolkata, Chennai, Hydrabad etc.
By Road: The city is connected with National Highway N. 8.

Read More Beaches in Surat, Police Stations in Surat, Nightlife in Surat, Old age homes and orphanages in Surat, Industries in Surat, Top 5 picks from Surat, Diamond industry of Surat, Media in Surat, Art and Craft in Surat, Railways in Surat, Transport in Surat, Churches in Surat, Festivals in Surat, Ukai Dam, Business opportunities in Surat, Diamond manufacturers in Surat, Pharmacies in Surat, Infrastructure in Surat, Food in Surat, Ambulance service in Surat, Hill stations near Surat, NGO in Surat, Exhibitions in Surat, McDonald's in Surat city, Companies in Surat, Religious places in Surat, Surat Metro, Blood Banks in Surat, Emergency Services in Surat, Library in Surat, Post Offices in Surat, Aadhar card in Surat, Restaurants in Surat, Social Service in Surat

Explore more about Surat Tourism

Major Cities You Must Know

Are you a Business Owner?

Add the products or services you offer

Promote your business on your local city site and get instant enquiries

+ LIST YOUR BUSINESS FOR FREE