Surat also known as Suryapur is the commercial capital city of the Indian state of Gujarat. Surat is India's eighth most populous city and Ninth-most populous urban agglomeration. It is also administrative capital of Surat district and one of the fastest growing cities in India. The city proper is the third cleanest city in India. Surat is Gujarat's second largest city with a population of 4.6 million. Surat ranks 4th in a global study of fastest developing cities conducted by The City Mayors Foundation, an international think tank on urban affairs. It is the fastest growing Indian city in terms of economic prosperity. The city has registered an annualised GDP growth rate of 11.5 per cent over the past seven [2001–2008] fiscal years, according to the data compiled by economic research firm Indicus Analytics.

The city is located 306 km south of state capital Gandhinagar, and is situated on the left bank of the Tapti River, A moat divides the older parts of the city, with its narrow streets and handsome houses, and the newer suburbs. The city is largely recognized for its textile and diamond businesses. It is also known as the diamond capital of the world and the textile capital, Manchester textile city of India, a distinction it took over from Ahmedabad. It is also known as the "Embroidery capital of India" with the highest number of embroidery machines than any other city. 92% of the world's diamonds are cut and polished in Surat. It has one of the highest GDP growth rates in India at 11.5% as of 2008. Surat was the primary port of India during the Mughal period, a distinction it lost to Bombay during the British Raj.

Hazira, is one of the busiest ports of India, and it's the most important element of Surat's Industrial growth. Surat is a major industrial hub of India and home to industrial giants with Shipping facilities. Essar Steel a steel giant, Kribhco a fertilizer giant, Shell, Larson and Toubro, Reliance Industries, Cairn Energy, ONGC, GSPL, LNG Petronet, ABG Ship Yard, Gujarat Ambuja Cement and Ultratech Cement.

Surat is mentioned in the Sanskrit epic, the Mahabharata, when Lord Krishna stopped there en route from Mathura to Dwarka. According to other later Sanskrit records, the area was ruled by the Western Chalukyas in 610 CE, and continued to be ruled by Hindu kings until it was captured by one of the generals of Quṭbuddin Aibak. The Parsis started to settle there in the 12th century, and added greatly to its prosperity. In the early centuries during the reign of Maratha King, the port of Surat was used as the gateway to Mecca for pilgrims of the Hajj from India's interior regions. Both the port on river Tapti at Makkai Pul and the Mughal Sarai, guest house for Hajis (pilgrims) are indicators of this historical significance.

Surat also offers the ultimate shopping experience for the ladies, like Garments Fabrics, Sarees, Embroidered Dress Materials, Traditional Silver, Gold and Diamond Ornaments.