Perched on a high pedestal near Sir Sayajirao General (SSG) Hospital stands the statue of Yuvraj Fatehsinhrao Gaekwad I. Titled “Lieutenant-Colonel Shrimant Yuvaraj Fatehsinhrao Gaekwad, Yuvaraj Sahib of Baroda,” Fatehsinhrao I was the eldest son of Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III. Born on August 3, 1883, he tragically passed away at the young age of 25 on September 14, 1908. The…
April 2017
Located in Ahmedabad, the Gaekwadi Haveli stands as a testament to the expansion efforts of the Gaekwads and Peshwas. Constructed in the late 1730s, it served as a key residence and administrative center during the Maratha rule. Fall of Ahmedabad & Rise of Gaekwads After capturing the Baroda State in 1734 from the Badi Nawabs, Damajirao Gaekwad expanded his territory. In 1737,…
Located in Narayan Peth, Pune, Kesari Wada was originally commissioned as a residence by Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III of Baroda. Known initially as Gaekwad Wada, it later became a significant center of activity for Lokmanya Tilak, a prominent freedom fighter. Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III’s Support The British authorities suspected Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III of covertly supporting the freedom movement. True to their suspicions,…
Baroda has long celebrated its association with Banyan trees, yet few know that one of the city’s largest one thrives at the heart of Lukshmi Vilas Palace compound. This 130-year-old tree, named ‘Sayaji Vad‘ was personally planted by Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III. Originally gifted to him as a small sapling during his visit to Sri Lanka in January 1887, it…
In the compound of GSFC (Gujarat State Fertilizers and Chemicals Limited) stands a remarkable Banyan tree that is over 393 years old, known as the ‘Great Old Banyan Tree’—truly the wisest tree in Baroda. This grand old tree was planted in 1931 & has been a silent witness to numerous pivotal events in Baroda’s history: – The visit of the…