Once used to house Turkish traders, Surat’s ‘Turkeywaad’ faces identity shift

SURAT: Amid a growing nationwide call to boycott Turkish goodsand trade, an unusual demand has emerged in Surat — to rename the centuries-old locality known as Turkeywaad with a name that reflects Indian culture, heritage, and national pride.Several citizen groups and organisations have submitted formal representations toSurat Municipal Corporation (SMC), urging the name change.The area, known as Turkeywaad, has historical roots dating back over 300 years. It was originally inhabited by Turkish traders and citizens who frequented Surat and settled in this locality.In a letter to the SMC, Piyush Shah, founder-president of Shri Jinajna Seva Trust, stated: "This request is made in the interest of national self-respect, cultural identity, and in response to Turkiye's recent anti-India stance. Surat, the heart of Gujarat and an economic-cultural hub of India, has always been a symbol of patriotism. However, the name ‘Turkeywaad' undermines the dignity of the city and pride of the nation, especially after Turkiye openly supported Pakistan during the 2025 India-Pakistan conflict." Shah further added, "Renaming the area will honour the sentiments of Surat's citizens and reaffirm India's self-respect."Dinesh Navadiya, national treasurer of the VHP and president of the Indian Diamond Institute (IDI), told TOI: "At a time when national unity and patriotism are on the rise, names that do not reflect our cultural values should be changed immediately. Such names are a blot on a city like Surat. We will petition the government to remove such names from all official records." When asked how the SMC plans to handle the demand, Surat mayor Dakshesh Mavani told TOI: "I have come across this demand through social media and other platforms. I will take it up at the party level, as such decisions cannot be taken unilaterally."Providing historical context, Surat-based historian Sanjay Choksi explained: "Surat has long been an international port connected to 84 global ports. People from many countries settled in designated areas here. Turkeywaad was one such area where Turkish traders resided. Japanese researcher Professor Hiromu Nagasima, who has visited Surat more than five times since 2005, documented a ‘Turkey Sarai' in his study of the port city, where pilgrims and Turkish nationals stayed.This history goes back to the 17th century."