Patan, an ancient fortified town, was founded in 745 AD by Vanraj Chavda, the most prominent king of the Chavda Kingdom. He named the city Anhilpur Patan or "Anhilwad Patan" after his close friend and Prime Minister Anhil shepherd.

These Chalukya rajputs, with Paramaras of Malwa, the Chauhans of Sakambhari and Chandellas of Kalanjar and Mahoba, were serious contestants for supremacy in northern India.

Later Mulraj, the adopted son of last Chavda king, established Solanki dynasty. He successfully expanded kingdom to west. His successor Siddhraj Jaisinh added Malwa.

Patan is home to the Hemchandracharya North Gujarat University[4] named after the famous polymath Acharya Hemachandra. It was previously known as North Gujarat University. Patan is a prominent medical centre in North Gujarat with almost 200 practicing medical professionals. It has a medical college on the way to Balisana.

There are many tourist attractions including forts, vavs (step wells), talavs (lakes) and places of worship. The main tourist attractions are the Ran ki vav (World Heritage Site) and patola saris

The best time to visit the destination is from October to march.