Housing the only Railway University of India, the Pratap Vilas Palace was commissioned for the crown prince of Baroda in 1908. Now known as ‘The National Academy of Indian Railways’ or ‘Bharatiya Rail Rashtriya Akademy’ (in Hindi), earlier it was known as the Railway Staff College. Railway Academy : After independence, the Bombay Province had taken over these premises on lease…
Baroda, now Vadodara, is home to an impressive collection of stepwells, known locally as ‘vavs’. Once numbering over 100, these ancient water reservoirs served both practical and cultural purposes. Today, only a few of these vavs are accessible, and even fewer are well-maintained. Here’s a look at some of the notable stepwells still standing in and around the city. Navlakhi…
Jamnabai Hospital, located on the road from Mandvi towards Pani Gate, stands as a remarkable piece of Vadodara’s history. Originally constructed in 1882 by Major Mant, this grand building was first designed as the State’s military headquarters. However, it was soon adapted to serve as the state’s first major public hospital, named in honor of Maharani Jamnabai, the adoptive mother…
Commissioned in the year 1887, the Baroda Museum and Picture Gallery is the part of the Sayaji Baug, commissioned by Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III. The museum is the most famous place of recreation amongst the people of the city. The Building: The museum was designed by architects Major Mant and Robert Chisholm and was completed in the year 1894. It…
Imagine a sprawling park with pathways shaded by huge leafy trees and lawns bordered with lush green bushes, in the center of the city. Sayaji Baug is one such park located in the heart of Vadodara. Also known as “Kamati Baug”, it was commissioned by Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III in 1879, as a gift to the citizens of his Baroda…
The Maharaja Palace, often referred to as Sarkar Wada, is a collective term for a group of five distinct palace buildings constructed and modified between 1780 and 1856 by the Gaekwad family. The initial building, known as Leeli Haveli, was not originally intended to be a palace. It served as the residence for Sayajirao II, Fatehsinhrao II, Ganpatrao, and Khanderao…
Located in the heart of the city, Sursagar Talav, formerly known as Chandan Talav, played a pivotal role in the placement of the old walled city known as Kila-e-Dulatabad. It later became a focal point for urban renewal efforts during the reign of Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III. The lake is believed to have been extended in the 1750s by Sureshwar…
The reign of Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III can be considered an era of reformation and prosperity for Baroda. Along with patronizing education, sports, music, and dance he also patronized artists and painters. One of these was Raja Ravi Varma who came from Travancore and became the royal painter of the Gaekwads for some years. Background : Raja Ravi Varma (April…
The EME Temple, also known as the Dakshinamurti Temple, stands as a fascinating symbol of unity and modernity. Located within the Army Cantonment of Baroda, this temple was constructed by the Electrical and Mechanical Engineering (EME) Corps and showcases an intriguing blend of contemporary design and traditional spirituality. Architectural Marvel: The EME Temple is renowned for its modern geodesic dome and…
Situated at the exact midpoint of the old walled city, Mandvi Gate is not merely a gateway; it is a pavilion or “Mandapa” standing proudly at the intersection of the two cardinal streets of the city. This solitary structure is part of a larger historical context, connected to the fort known as Kila-e-Daulatabad. The Origins of Mandvi and Kila-e-Daulatabad Before…