The Haribhakti family’s legacy is a profound testament to centuries of devotion, scholarship, and social welfare. For over two and a half centuries, this distinguished family has upheld a rich tradition of philanthropy and religious dedication, beginning with Sheth Haribhai (1750-1796) and Sheth Bhaktibhai (1750-1795). Engaged in extensive business across the country, they planted the seeds of social service and…
Vadodara-Baroda
Vasantrao Kaptan, born on February 5, 1905, in Vadodara, was a dedicated champion of physical education. He founded and led the ‘Gujarat Krida Mandal’ in Vadodara and served as the Physical Education Officer at Sardar Patel University (Vallabh Vidyanagar) from 1951 to 1963. Hailing from a Maharashtrian family, with his father Balwantrao and mother Radhikabai, he was a student of…
Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III, Maharaja of Baroda State from 1875 to 1939, was a transformative leader who significantly modernized the state. His reforms spanned various sectors, including education, industry, and agriculture. A notable project during his reign was the establishment of a tramway system in Baroda. This initiative was part of his broader vision to enhance public transport and urban…
It was at Baroda’s Kalabhavan that the Father of Indian Cinema, Dhundiraj Govind Phalke, also known as Dadasaheb Phalke, made history with his first full-length film ‘Raja Harishchandra’ in 1913. Phalke enrolled in Kalabhavan in 1891 after graduating from the J.J. School of Arts in Bombay. The Principal of Kalabhavan, T.K. Gajjar, recognized Phalke’s talent early on and imparted the…
Pendawala Duliram Ratanlal Sharma, an iconic establishment nestled in Vadodara’s historic Jambubet area. For over 162 years, this renowned store has captivated locals and visitors alike with its signature offering: Mathura Peda, affectionately known as Duliram Penda locally. Founded in 1862 by brothers Duliram and Maharam Sharma, who migrated from a village near the Rajasthan-Mathura border, the shop quickly gained…
As INDIA celebrates 75 years of Independence, here’s an insight into how the Baroda State silently but surely made its contribution in the Indian struggle for Independence. While Baroda State always stayed an ally of the Britishers on the surface, it silently provided a crucial support to revolutionaries and their activities. This fact can be understood by reflecting on the…
During the Gaekwad reign, Baroda emerged as a major sports hub, akin to the Olympics. Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III was renowned for championing Indian and local sports. Sportsmen from across India and abroad flocked to Baroda to participate in over 150 sports, including athletics, kabaddi, long jump, hockey, wrestling, malkhambh, bodybuilding, and kho-kho. This sporting extravaganza was dubbed the ‘Royal…
This Wada is notable for its important association with Sri Aurobindo who in late December of 1907 & January of 1908 spent few days here in meditation with his spiritual guide, Vishnu Bhaskar Lele. At end of few days, Sri Aurobindo had attained ‘eternal silence of mind’ – the precondition for discovering his own path to the ultimate revelation. It…
There are many activities and sports that are associated with kings that really make them royal and set them apart from the general public, and Hunting is one of them. This was also the case with the Gaekwads, the erstwhile rulers of Baroda who kept many hunting reserves around the capital, out of which Dabka is one. Situated near banks…
This lost palace was constructed during the early 19th century under the reign of Maharaja Anandrao Gaekwad, specifically for his son Balwantrao Gaekwad. Unfortunately, Maharaja Anandrao Gaekwad passed away before the completion of the palace. Subsequently, Sayajirao II ascended the throne. Balwantrao Gaekwad and his family are known to have resided in the palace for a time. However, after Balwantrao’s…