This paper as an exploratory attempt, presents the facts which will provide some insight into the nature of the July 1973 disturbances, makes a preliminary diagnosis of the causes for the disturbances and suggests some possible areas for further research. It was found that the three-day rioting had started as an economic protest but had quickly turned into a communal strife. While socio-economic, political and communal tensions could be held responsible for the riots, it was not possible to assign primacy to anyone of these factors. It is suggested that an intensive research on the socio-economic structure of Ahmedabad population be undertaken.