City (pop., 2001 prelim.: 2,433,787), southeastern Gujarat state, west-central India.
It is near the mouth of the Tapi River and the Gulf of Khambhat . A major seaport from the 16th century, it was conquered by the Mughals in 1573 and was twice sacked by the Marathas in the 17th century. It became a centre for textile manufacturing and shipbuilding. The British established their first Indian trading station there 0441; 1612, marking the beginning of the British Empire in India. Surat served as the seat of the British Indian government until the late 17th century, when the seat was moved to Bombay (now Mumbai ). The city declined in the 18th century but prospered again with the opening of India's railways. Surat's cottons, silks, brocades, and objects of gold and silver are still famous.