Aggad (Battle Arena)

Today, the site of what was once Aggad, the grand battle arena, is now occupied by the Gaurav Housing Society behind the Bhaddar/Bhadra Kacheri. Historians believe that this battle arena has been a significant part of the Bhadra locality for nearly 700 years.

Dating back to the 15th century, during the rule of Sultan Muhammad Begda, who was a patron of blood sports, the arena was initially established. Some accounts suggest that it was the Mughals who founded this arena, where they conducted animal fights involving wild elephants and rhinos. The tradition continued when the Marathas took over the state in the late 17th century, maintaining the arena’s role in local entertainment.

The Aggad :

The tradition of organizing elephant games, known as mast hattis, was a notable practice in Baroda. The city was renowned for these grand elephant events, largely due to the enthusiasm of Khanderao Maharaj Gaekwad, who had a deep interest in various forms of entertainment involving elephants. During his reign, Khanderao Maharaj Gaekwad established a special area specifically for these grand elephant games. This area, known as Aggad, is situated to the east of Baroda city, near the Pani gate, and covers an area of approximately 250 yards.

Aggad was a huge open rectangular space with wide walls surrounding it. This arena was parallel to and adjacent to the back portion of the Bhadra. The Royals would watch the sports from the wooden verandas of the Bhadra, while the common folk enjoyed the spectacle from the walls encircling the arena. The venue hosted a variety of blood sports involving humans, bulls, rhinos, elephants, and birds such as bulbul and roosters. Among these, the most dangerous event was perhaps the “Nukki Kushti,” where human opponents fought wearing metal claws.

The arena features several key elements: On the northern side, there were designated seating areas for spectators. Surrounding the arena is a 25-foot high embankment designed to ensure the safety of the audience. This embankment included small doors at intervals, allowing people to move in and out for safety. In the center of the arena, a small tower with a 40-foot diameter stood, complete with narrow arches for access. This design allowed performers to quickly escape if they feel threatened by the approaching elephants. Additionally, on one side of the arena, there was a 35-foot diameter circular structure that provides extra protection. Elephants, being large and cumbersome, find it difficult to maneuver in circular paths, giving performers or riders a tactical advantage to evade them.

The strategic layout of the arena ensured that while elephants can charge straight ahead with great force, their size and weight make it challenging for them to navigate tight or circular spaces. This design feature offers a crucial advantage to those trying to escape or evade the elephants, enhancing both the safety and excitement of the games. Royal Baroda Gaekwad Olympics games were also held at Aggad during 1918.

Unfortunately nothing of this 700 years old piece of heritage remains today, to remind one, of atmosphere buzzing with energy and tension surrounding the glorious fights.