Bagikhana (Stable)

Situated opposite Pologround is a large precinct that can be identified as the former Royal Stable and Garage, known as the “Bagikhana” (the place where horse carriages, or baggis, are parked). Once a symbol of prestige and glory, the precinct now serves as Baroda High School, Bagikhana.

The Stables:

The building was commissioned by Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III in 1909, with construction completed on October 1, 1913, under the supervision of chief engineer and architect A. H. Coyle. It is a large rectangular complex with stables, garages, and other structures encircling a vast open courtyard. Access is provided through a grand main gate or any of five smaller gates. There are over 100 rooms, some large enough to accommodate a six-horse chariot, the limit set by the Peshwas for the Baroda State.

The grand main gate resembles the main entrance of the Lukshmi Vilas Palace, featuring a central structure flanked by two towers. Two of the other five gates are located at the front corners, each accessed through a large three-centered arch topped with a dome adorned with a finial. The towers of the main and corner gates served as watchtowers to monitor the surrounding areas and activities within the courtyard.

The entire structure was divided into several sections (khands), such as Ashva Khand, Bagi Khand, Lavaj Khand, Yantrik Khand, Sevak Khand, and Aishwarya Khand. Aishwarya Khand and Sevak Khand were located beside the main gate. As the names suggest, Ashva Khand housed horses, Bagi Khand held chariots, Sevak Khand accommodated servants, and Yantrik Khand was for weapons. During the Dusshera festival, Aishwarya and Dev Khand were used for worshipping weapons and horses, reflecting the tradition of honoring tools and vehicles that assist in daily life.

The stables also housed the renowned solid gold and silver carriages of the Gaekwads, kept in Lavaj Khand. Additionally, it stored the “Golden Ambari” (solid gold howdah), golden cannons, more than 120 royal cars, and about 200 horses at one time.

Today, this historic stable is home to Baroda High School, Bagikhana (commonly known as BHS), which was the first co-educational English medium school in the region. Maharaja Fatehsinghrao Gaekwad leased the premises to the school for a token amount of one rupee in 1961. The school is now managed by the Baroda Lions Club Education Trust, which has subsequently established three more schools under the same name in different locations across the city.

Partial Sources: Divyabhaskar & ‘Guide to Baroda’ Book