Surat is a port city famous for Sarees and textiles manufacturing. Surat and its metropolitan area had a population of approximately 2.9 million.

The city is situated on the left bank of the Tapti River, 14 miles from its mouth. A moat indicates the dividing-line between the old city, with its narrow streets and handsome houses, and the newer suburbs, but the city wall has almost disappeared. The city is largely recognized for its textile and diamond businesses. Surat is also the a district in the state of Gujarat. Surat city is the administrative headquarters of this district. This district is surrounded by Bharuch, Narmada (North), Navsari and Dang (South) districts. To the west is the Gulf of Cambay.

In the year 1496, a Hindu trader called Mallik Gopi settled in Surat. According to the Portuguese chronicles, he was considered the governor of Surat but could not prevent the city from being looted at least seven times.
In 1861, Zafarali Mills took the plunge in the field of textiles. Nowadays, Surat is the main textile market of India and it has grown tremendously, not in the least because of establishments of several multinational companies in the field of petrochemicals, steel and cement. is also famous for its 'Ghari's' (a type of a sweet).

Surat will probably never forget the donation of Sir Ferdunji Sorabji Parekh to the Government of Surat. Sir Parekh donated about five million Rs in the year 1915, i.e. with a value of about 2500 million Rs these days. The fund was raised for the development of educational and cultural activities in Surat.