Khanderao Market is a notable market complex established by Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III in 1906 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of his rule. Named after Maharaja Khanderao Gaekwad II, the Maharaja’s late adoptive father, it was gifted to the municipality and has been a central hub for commerce ever since. The market includes a fruit and vegetable market, a flower market, and the offices of the Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC).
Architectural Features
The market is set against a large landscaped area featuring a marble statue of Maharaja Khanderao Gaekwad II. Sculpted by V.R. Karmarkar, this statue was unveiled on December 23, 1935, by Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III.
Built in the Indo-Saracenic style, the market complex was one of the last projects by the famous architect Robert Chisholm before he returned to England. The main facade includes decorative “Nagara style towers,” small “canopies,” and elaborate archways, along with a grand entrance. The gateway has a large clock in the center and is flanked by “jharokha” windows, with a distinctive roof and tall towers.
Market Layout
The heart of the market is a large central courtyard that captures the lively atmosphere of an Indian bazaar. The shops are arranged around a central fountain, with separate areas for wholesale and retail vendors. The bustling market offers a vivid experience of traditional Indian shopping, complete with vendors and customers interacting in a vibrant setting.
Current Condition
While the building is in decent shape, the stone has darkened over the years, and some areas have trees growing from the structure. Despite this, the market remains a lively and bustling place, reflecting the dynamic spirit of a traditional Indian marketplace. Visitors can still see the lively interactions between vendors and shoppers, including the occasional stray animals searching for food.
The market even after, more than a hundred years of being built, displays full glory of an Indian market place. You get to see all the elements of a bustling market, such as the bargaining lady with a kid who is begging her not to buy the bitter “karela or palak” (bitter gourd or spinach) and occasionally some stray cows or a few dogs loitering around the market for a feast.
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