A relativistic short laser pulse is modeled having amplitude modulation in time and Gaussian profile of intensity distribution transverse to the direction of laser propagation. The relativistic laser exerts a ponderomotive force on the electrons imparting them an oscillatory velocity. When the plasma has a density gradient perpendicular to this ponderomotive force, a quasistatic magnetic field is produced. The magnetic field lasts for duration of the laser pulse. At plasma resonance (ω_p ≈ Ω/2), the magnetic field is enhanced significantly.