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…
Vadodara-Baroda
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…
The Amreli Rajmahal was constructed by Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III in 1892 as his residence. This two-storey palace features magnificent windows. In its early days, it hosted ‘Lok Durbar’ gatherings when Amreli was part of the Baroda State. In later years, the palace also served as government offices. A bronze statue of Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III proudly stands in front…
Tucked behind a quiet compound wall in a bustling corner of Vadodara lies the historic Raopura Shala Number Ek. Built in 1884-85, this architectural gem exemplifies the Neoclassical style that flourished in the city during its construction. Not only is the building significant for its design, featuring elegant semicircular arches, Doric columns, and classical cornices, but it also holds a…
It was in good old days too, when one can actually make space for Vadodara’s iconic places in their homes ! Monuments like Palace Gate, Nyay Mandir, Mandvi gate etc. can be taken home or can be gifted, as all these are available as medals, mementoes or in metal form as shields. Pawaskar family has been converting monuments into metal…
This building, known as Public Office was erected in 1882 AD (VS 1939) by Mr Fardunji Rustomji. The building earlier housed district court & is known as Srimant Sarkar Sayajirao Gaekwad Building which was constructed in the year & is considered to be monument of Gaekwad regime. Earlier in this building, other Government offices were functioning.
Established by Dattatray Mujumdar, in house of Mujumdar no Wada at Raopura area, Narayan Guru Talim was registered as full-fledged akhada in 1880, during the rule of Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III. Shrimant Dattatraya Chintaman alias Abasaheb Mujumdar of Baroda and his consort, S. S. Akkasaheb Mujumdar, have made an extraordinary contribution to the Indian Nation with their ten-volume Encyclopedia of…
Established on May 1, 1908, Laxminath Vyayam Mandir was founded by Shri Chhotubhai Purani and Shri Ambubhai Purani, both of whom were students of Shri Maharshi Arvind (also known as Aurobindo Ghosh) at Baroda College (now The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda). Located in the narrow lanes of Bajwada, this renowned akhada was created by the Purani brothers, who were…
The Gaekwad rule was established when the Marathas invaded Gujarat and took Vadodara away from the Babi Sultans. Then, sometime during 1847–1856, an unidentified poet wrote a garbo, a type of folk song and dance, that described Vadodara under Ganpatrao Gaekwad’s rule. Details about Vadodara at that time is provided in this garbo. The garbo’s names have been numbered, and…
Located amidst the concrete jungle along Piramitar Road is Chhoti Bibi’s Hazira, commonly known as ‘Chhotiya no Haziro’. Built during the reign of Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad II, this Hazira belongs to a dancing lady of his court. Legend has it that Chhoti Bibi herself commissioned the tomb during her lifetime with the intention of being interred there after completing the…