It is believed that early humans lived on the banks of the Mahi River, which formed the floodplains in that region. There is ample evidence of early human settlements in the Mahi River valley at several sites within 10 to 20 km northeast of Baroda.
Evidence also indicates human settlements on the right bank of the Vishwamitri River, on a group of dunes resting on the river’s alluvium dating back to 1000 B.C., marking the existence of the Stone Age era.
Around the beginning of the Christian Era, a small township developed at the same spots mentioned above, on the right bank of the River Vishwamitri. It later came to be known as Ankotakka (currently Akota). The mound on which this settlement was established became known as Dhantekri. The entire settlement was developed by clearing grazing lands and thick forests covering an area of ½ to ¾ km².
There are many reasons for the name Baroda! Let’s journey back in time to explore these ideas that contributed to Baroda’s enchanting history.
Baroda, situated on the banks of the River Vishwamitri, is said to have derived its name from the great saint Vishwamitra.
During the 9th century, Akota was known as Ankottaka, a small town famous for Jainism located on the banks of the River Vishwamitri in the 5th and 6th centuries A.D. Some signature Akota bronze images are still found in the Baroda Museum. Architectural findings also trace Baroda back to this time.
The city was also referred to as Chandanavati, named after the Rajput King Raja Chandan. It is believed that Baroda had two other names at different times: Virakshetra (Land of Warriors) and Vatodar (Heart of Banyan Trees). People also say that areas near Baroda (Vat meaning Banyan Tree and Aodh meaning Tent/Canopy) were a type of forest, home to large groves of banyan trees forming a canopy-like layer.
Historical literature suggests that English travelers and merchants referred to Baroda as Brodera! The name ‘Baroda’ was then changed to ‘Vadodara’ in 1974.
Early trade settlers entered in 812 A.D. The imperial Baroda province was mainly ruled by Hindu kings until 1297. The Chalukya Dynasty overtook the Gupta Empire after fierce battles and intense rivalry. It was later taken over by the Solanki Rajputs, who spread Muslim rule across India, and then the reins of power were seized by the Sultans of Delhi. The city was ruled for a long time by these Sultans until they were easily overthrown by the Mughal emperors.
During this time, the Maratha Gaekwads entered as sovereigns and established their reputable rule. Later, it became the capital of the Maratha Gaekwads.
The glorious history of the Gaekwads began when Maratha General Pilaji Rao Gaekwad conquered Songadh from the Mughals in 1726. Mughal rule ended in 1732 when Maratha General Pilaji Rao Gaekwad intensified Maratha campaigns in South Gujarat and carved out a kingdom for his lineage. Pilaji Rao Gaekwad’s son and successor, Damajirao, defeated the Mughal armies and conquered the Baroda State in 1734. Gradually, Gaekwad successors expanded their hold over more areas of Gujarat, making them the most powerful rulers in the region. The Gaekwads ruled the kingdom until Indian Independence in 1947.
During the enigmatic rule of Maharaja Sayajirao III from 1875 to 1939, it was considered the Golden Period, marked by great progress and achievements in all fields. During this period, they contributed significantly to the revival and reform of Vadodara (Baroda) with initiatives such as establishing compulsory primary education, a library system, a university, model textile and tile factories, great museums, and advancements in art and architecture. It was their dream to make Vadodara (Baroda) an educational, industrial, and commercial center. The city is also known as Sayaji Nagari (Sayaji’s City).
Baroda State merged into Bombay State when India gained Independence in 1947. Later, on May 1, 1960, the Bombay Province was further divided into Gujarat State and Maharashtra State, after which Baroda officially became a part of Gujarat.