Situated opposite Pologround, is a huge precinct which one may identify as an old building, once the Royal Stable and Garage known as the “Bagikhana” (the place where horse carraiges/baggis are parked). Once, a symbol of prestige and glory, the precinct now serves as the Baroda High School, Bagikhana. The Stables : The building was commissioned by Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad…
Vadodara-Baroda
Kirti Stambh, one of the most popular landmarks of Vadodara, is located near the Polo Ground. It was built in 1935 to commemorate 60 years rule of Maharaja Sayajirao Geakwad III. The Stambh is made out of pink ‘Songadh stone’. It stands tall opposite to the Nehru Bhavan with a lion perched at its top and facing eastwards. Kirti Stambh…
Referred to as the last of the big spenders, Maharaja Pratapsinhrao was the last royal connoisseur of luxury. The Maharaja commissioned some of the most fabulous pieces of jewelry & also some fabulous articles of daily use. One of these articles was a gold cage for his pet frog. A gold ladder and emerald birds: Nicknamed as “House of Hortense”,…
The Gaekwads of Baroda are just as famous for their luxurious extravagance as they are for their social reforms. And one of the things that represent this richness is the custom made Louis Vuitton Tea Case. This Case was commissioned by the erstwhile Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III in 1926. It was made from Grained Leather & contained all necessary accouterments…
Hidden behind the tall trees and compound walls, is a regimental looking Neo-Classical building called Kalabhavan. Although, now known as the Senapati Bhavan, the building is sometimes referred to as the Kala Bhavan. This is because the Kala Bhavan Technical Institute was established in the building in 1890. After a few years the institute i.e. The Faculty of Technology &…
India has always given the world examples of religious tolerance and harmony and the Pearl carpet of Baroda is a testament to this. Originally a part of a five piece set, the Baroda Pearl Carpet was commissioned by Maharaja Khanderao Gaekwad to give as an offering to the Prophet’s Tomb in Medina, in 1865. It is known that the Maharaja intended to…
Commissioned by Maharaja Khanderao Gaekwad in 1865 , this Pearl Canopy was actually a part of a five piece set. Originally, supposed to be sent to Medina as an offering to the Prophet’s Tomb, the Set remained in Baroda’s treasury after the Maharaja passed away. The Canopy : Composed of approximately 950,000 precious ‘Basra pearls’, emeralds, sapphires, rubies and colored…
Motibaug Palace is a small villa situated on the grounds of Lukshmi Vilas Palace. The villa dates back to the reign of Maharaja Ganpatrao Gaekwad. It was used as a guesthouse to compliment the Lukshmi Vilas Palace. During the construction of the Lukshmi Vilas Palace, the villa was used by the Brtish Architects and Engineers as a residence. It is…
Situated near the picturesque Vishwamitra Bridge of the city, the Kirti Mandir was commissioned by Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III in the memory of his beloved ancestors. Also known as the Temple of Fame, it was built in 1936 as part of the Maharaja’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations. It is believed to have been designed by architect Talwalkar, who interned with Chisholm on…
Khanderao Market is a sprawling market complex erected by Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III on the occasion of the silver jubilee celebrations of his reign in 1906. It was presented as a gift to municipality and was named after the previous ruler and his late adoptive father Maharaja Khanderao Gaekwad II (1856–1870). The complex houses the fruit and vegetable market (wholesale and retail),…