PATAN

town, Mehsana district, Gujarat state, west central India, situated on the Saraswati River in the lowlands between the Aravalli Range and the Gulf of Cambay. Once capital of the Chavada and Solanki dynasties (7201242), it was sacked in 1024 by Mahmud of Ghazna. Patan is a commercial centre for agricultural produce; industries include cotton milling, weaving, embroidering, and wood and ivory carving. Pottery and swords are also manufactured in the town, which is served by a railroad. Pop. (1981) 79,196.