Imagine strolling down a road enveloped in the gentle shade of towering trees, with warm sunlight filtering through lush green foliage and the air enriched with earthy fragrances. This picturesque scene brings to mind the historic Indira Avenue, now commonly known as Jail Road.
Originally, Indira Avenue was narrower and lined with an impressive 800 Banyan trees, planted in the early 1900s shortly after the birth of Princess Indira Raje, daughter of Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III. The road was named in her honor, celebrating the beloved princess. The dense canopy of trees provided such deep shade that many locals avoided the road due to the minimal daylight it allowed through.
About Indira Raje
Indira Raje was the only surviving daughter of Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III. Betrothed to the heir of Gwalior at a young age, she later fell in love with Jitendra Narayan of Cooch Behar. This led her to write a heartfelt letter to her fiancé, resulting in the cancellation of her marriage arrangement. Although she married Jitendra Narayan, this decision caused a prolonged estrangement from her parents, who disapproved of her choice.
Over time, as the city expanded, Indira Avenue was widened to accommodate growing traffic and urban needs. Today, only 80-100 of the original trees remain, but the road continues to be a significant landmark, holding memories of its lush, shaded past and the princess it was named after.
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