Historic sites

Dholavira Sophisticated Water Reservoir

Lothal is the site of the ancient ruins of the first Indian port, dating from the time of the Indus Valley Civilization.

Dholavira, the ancient city, locally known as Kotada Timba, is one of the largest and most prominent archaeological sites in India, belonging to the Indus Valley Civilization. It is located on the Khadir island in the Kutch district of Gujarat - the island is surrounded by water in the monsoon season. The site was occupied from about 2900 BC for about a millennium, declining slowly after about 2100, briefly abandoned and then reoccupied, finally by villagers among its ruins, until about 1450.

Gola Dhoro, dating from 2500-2000 BCE, was recently discovered near the village of Bagasra. Shell bangles, copper and beads were found there.

Museums

Gujarat has the largest number of museums of any state in India. These are all run by the state's own Department of Museums, located at the Principal State museum, the Museum and Picture Gallery, Vadodara. Other museums include:

• The Vadodara Museum and Maharaja Fatehsingh Museum in Vadodara

• The Watson Museum in Rajkot

• The Gandhi Museum in Bhavnagar

• The Gandhi Smarak Sangrahalaya, Kite Museum, and Calico Museum of Textiles in Ahmedabad

• The Lady Wilson Museums - Dharampur, Valsad