Surat was founded by Parsi refugees in the 12th century, and it emerged as a minor trading post during the 1500s when it was plundered and razed numerous times by the Portuguese. In 1592, after a protracted siege, the town fell to Akbar, under whose patronage, it became one of India 's most prosperous mercantile capitals, as well as a key transit point for Muslims heading to Mecca .

Lord Krishna stopped with his cows
The existence of Surat city dates back to the years of Mahabharat i.e. about year 3,000 B.C. It is said that Lord Krishna stopped with his cows on his transition from Mathura to Dwarka city and the images of the cow's foot prints are still visible to the devotees at a place popularly called "Gai Pagli" (Foot steps of cows).

Lata Pradesh
area comprised of the entire South Gujarat belt. Western Chalukyas conquered Lata Pradesh in 610 AD and thereafter Hindu domain continued upto 12th century, when Kutb-ud-din, the general of Muhammad Shahb-ud-din Ghori penetrated upto Rander town.

Learned Brahmins called city of Surat as Suryapur
century. As Abbe Reynal says, "at the beginning of 13th century, Surat was nothing more than a mean hamlet." Learned Brahmins called city of Surat as Suryapur (say around 15th/16th century) when Surat was already a city of great trade. Modern Surat is supposed to be built on the site of old Hindu town of Suryapur . Sir Monies Williams suggests that the old name of the town was "Suraj" (Sanskrit Surya)- city of sun. A Muhammadan ruler wishing to change its Hindu into one more significant Muslim domination, converted "Suraj" into " Surat " (a chapter in Kuran).

Bunder- e-Khubsurat
Another story about naming of the town reveals that the Tapi river at surat was used as one of the major ports for exports and also for Muslim pilgrimage (Haj) to Mecca . In Farsi/Persian languages, this was recognised as "Bunder-e-Khubsurat",meaning a beautiful port. The word " SURAT " seems to have derived from this popular phraseology.

Spices, silk, musk and porcelain was the major business
principal commercial centre, south of Broach. It was ancient town where Arabs and Kafa came and settled in 11th/12th century. They over powered Jain population and became rulers. Trading with Malacca , China , Sumatra , etc., spices, silk, musk and porcelain was the major business.