Surat has sound varied History. The earliest reference to this ancient trading port town comes from the Ashokan edits that refer to Surat as Surath! It was a great trading town because of its proximity to the sea and to Mumbai. During the Maurayan rule, Surat was a commercial hub and was later ruled by the Rashtrakuta kings who maintained its prosperity. But, repeated conquests and plundering by neighboring kings spelled the doom for Surat and Bharuch started rising a trading hub.In Surat History, Gopi has its own importance. It is believed that one enterprising merchant named Gopi-, by whose name there is still a Gopipura in the city – came to Surat, and rebuilt its lost glory. He encouraged other traders to return to this once prosperous town and ever since Surat has grown from strength to strength.
The Portuguese traveler, Barbosa mentions the greatness of this town in his memoirs and shows that even in those days of yore it was an important commercial center. This description by the Portuguese traveler brought the Portuguese Army to Surat that captured this port town till it fell into the hands of the British rulers in 1759.Even in those days it was renowned for its jewels and fine silk brocades. It became a main centre of commerce in Western India after the Britishers set up their first warehouse here to stock up imported goods in 1612. In fact, it was in Surat that the British ambassador Sir Thomas Roe landed when he came to India and it was from here that Muslim pilgrims sailed to Mecca.
In nineteenth century Surat History witnessed considerable educational, cultural and economic development of the region with roads and railway lines being laid down which considerably improved communication and trade. The wind of resistance against the British Empire blew Surat and the 23rd session of the Indian National Congress was held here. Another very significant event in Indian history was the Bardoli Satyagrah of 1928 and the famous Dandi march by Mahatma Gandhi to break the inhuman salt law of the British Empire.