Located at an average elevation of about 114 feet, Nadiad is the administrative centre of the Kheda district. Gujarati is the widely spoken language of the citys 2,00,000 residents. The district has a population of 2.3 million, out of which 41 percent constitute the working age population. Majority of the workers i.e. 64 percent participate in the agriculture sector, one percent are in the household industry and 35 percent are engaged in industry and services. The city of Nadiad is said to have been settled by rope dancers, hence the historical name of "Natapadra" (outskirts of/for natas or dancers) or "Natpur" (city for natas). It is also referred to as Nandgam. The city has nine routes, and on each route there is a step well. There are 9 villages or towns located to all the 9 roads that exit from Nadiad and 9 lakes in the city. Nadiad was also known as Sakshar Bhumi or The Land of the Educated. The city was formerly ruled by Muslims, and later on by the Gaekwad of Baroda. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was born in Nadiad and it was here in the Kheda district that the journey of the Satyagrah Movement began. There was active participation of the people of Nadiad in Indias freedom struggle.
