Ahmedabad: When social reformer Ravishankar Maharaj declared the birth of Gujarat at Sabarmati Ashram on May 1, 1960, the new state was largely agrarian, dotted with textile centres and traditional trading towns. Sixty-six years later, Gujarat stands transformed — more urban, more industrial and more diversified than at any point in its history.As the state marks its 66th foundation day on Friday, official estimates show that Gujarat has crossed a symbolic threshold: more than half its people now live in urban areas, underscoring the scale of change since its formation.According to the state govt’s Socio-Economic Review 2025-26, Gujarat’s population is projected to reach 7.5 crore in 2027, of which 3.8 crore people or 50.7% are expected to reside in cities and towns.The numbers tell the story of a state that has steadily urbanised over decades. In the 1961 Census, just a year after Gujarat came into existence, only about 25% of its population lived in urban centres. By the 2011 Census, that figure had risen sharply to 42.6%, already well above the national average of 31.1%.Agriculture, once the backbone of employment, accounted for 68% of workers in the 1961 Census. That share has now declined to around 42%, indicating a major shift in livelihoods.In its place, industry and services have expanded steadily. Secondary sector jobs — manufacturing, construction and allied activities — now account for about 24% of workforce participation, while the tertiary sector, including trade, transport, finance and services, employs around 26%.This shift mirrors Gujarat’s economic journey — from cotton mills and cooperative dairies to petrochemicals, ports, automobiles, pharmaceuticals, gems and jewellery, renewable energy and financial services.NITI Aayog, in its State Reports for 2025, praised Gujarat’s economic progress but also pointed to areas where it needs to catch up with national benchmarks on selected social indicators.Box: Gujarat’s development has captured global attention: CMGandhinagar: On the eve of Gujarat Foundation Day, chief minister Bhupendra Patel said that the state has reached remarkable heights of development, drawing attention from across the world. “When Gujarat became a separate state from Mumbai on May 1, 1960, there were doubts about how a region defined by deserts, coastline, and hills would progress. However, today, the contrast between Gujarat’s development journey during the four decades from 1960 to 2000 and the sustained progress over the past two and a half decades since 2001 is clearly evident,” he said. The CM credited PM Narendra Modi’s tenure in Gujarat as the foundation for the state’s progress. He also underlined the role of Vibrant Gujarat Global Investors Summit to boost investment and promote the growth of new businesses and industries. “On this Gujarat Gaurav Day, let us collectively pledge to dedicate ourselves to building a Viksit Gujarat for a Viksit Bharat at 2047,” he added. From the history books: Formation of Gujarat‘Land of Gurjars’ Expanded SouthwardsThe toponyms ‘Gurjarratra’ and ‘Gurjardesha’ are believed to be used as early as 7th century AD to denote parts of south Rajasthan and northern Gujarat today. With the early seat of power at Patan, north Gujarat became important in the socio-political scenario between the 7th to 10th centuries. It reached its zenith during the Solanki rule as the areas under control expanded to present-day Saurashtra and south Gujarat regions both through military conquests and marriage alliances.Identity after IndependenceGujarat played a major role in India’s fight for independence with historic movements such as Dandi March as well as the Kheda and Bardoli satyagrahas led by Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, respectively. When India became independent in 1947, Saurashtra region had over 200 princely states that eventually got merged with the Union of India. Between 1947 and 1956, Saurashtra, Kutch and eastern Gujarat underwent different identities before merging with erstwhile Bombay state.MahaGujarat movementThe Gujarati-speaking regions saw movement for a separate state that took the shape of MahaGujarat movement with leaders such as Indulal Yagnik. Cities such as Ahmedabad remained epicentres of activity. In March 1960, the resolution for two states was passed in Bombay state.‘Losing’ Mt Abu, ‘gaining’ DangThe linguistic division of the regions resulted in dividing the region of southern Rajasthan and northern Gujarat in 1956, with Abu-Delwada tehsil coming to Gujarat and Banswara, Dungarpur, Jhabua, etc. going to Rajasthan. Likewise, Dang was an issue due to its unique culture and history. However, eventually ‘Dangi’ was termed a dialect of Gujarati and the region was merged with Gujarat. Its 12 border villages were allocated to Maharashtra.(Based on the book ‘Gujarat no Rajkiya ane Sanskrutik Itihas (Political and Cultural History of Gujarat’)
