Situated on the exact mid point of the old walled city, “Mandvi Gate” is actually a pavilion or a “Mandapa” standing on the crossing of the two cardinal streets of the city. Standing solitary in the heart of the city, the structure is actually the part of a larger building scheme, the fort, “Kila-e-Daulatabad”
The origins of Mandvi – Kila-e-Daulatabad :
Before being made into a walled city/fort called Kila-e-Daulatabad, Baroda was a town called “Vatapatraka” on the eastern banks of the Vishwamitri river. It was one of the 25 districts under the command of the officers or nobles assigned as governors by the Gujarat Sulatanate. Baroda continued to be under the rule of the Sultanate as the village, until 1511, when Khalil Khan became the sultan of Gujarat, and built the fort called “Kila-e-Daulatabad” to the east of the Vatapatraka village. Slowly the population of Vatapatraka moved to the security of this newly built fort.
It is said that the fort was designed by Rumin Khan. The fort was roughly a square of 800 meters a side, with the design was based on the game called “Chopat” (Ludo). The square was cut into four more squares by two major streets aligned with the cardinal directions. The fort walls were pierced with four gates, one on each side where the streets intersected with the wall. At the intersection of these cardinal streets, at the center of the square, Mandvi pavilion was made.
90 % of the fort walls have disappeared along the years and one can only see the small portions of it left. Although the walls have vanished, the gates & the Mandvi pavilion still stand.
Mandvi :
The word ‘Mandvi’ is derived from the Sanskrit word “mandapa” meaning a pillared hall. The structure, giving the old city it’s identity, was built by the sultan only as a double storeyed pavilion. The upper two storeys were added by the Gaekwads. The square-shaped pavilion features three bold arched openings on each of its four sides, and is decorated with niches of various size and shape. It is believed that it was used for collecting toll from merchants and traders and was also used to make announcements for the city. Under the orders of Damaji Rao II, the structure was renovated by Governor Malharao Maloji in 1736 AD. Later during 1856 AD, Ganpatrao Gaekwad added the upper two storeys along with a clock that sits on the topmost storey.
The structure has a staircase which spirals through a cylindrical tower, to lead one to the upper level. The position of this staircase tower was probably changed from the south-eastern corner to the north-eastern corner & few substantial changes to parapet were also made between the 1880 to 1900’s. Earlier the upper storeys were wooden structures, which along the years were converted to concrete structures. Although the structural system has been changed, the wooden jaalis are still intact.
Mandvi along with the four gates was recently restored by the authorities.
The Esteemed “Mandvi” :
During the Gaekwadi era, the structure was a place of pride and esteem for the royal family as well the residents of the city. At the top of the mandapa a flag mast, where in the olden days the saffron colored Gaekwadi flag known as “Jai Nishaan Baba’, proudly fluttered in full regalia. Everyday the flag was hoisted at dawn and lowered at dusk accompanied by the blowing of trumpets, a shot fired from the Gaekwadi cannon, followed by beating of the giant nagaara drum. Day in and day out, all the proud residents bowed their head in respect when this activity was carried out.
Apart from this, all important proclamations were made to the beat of drums from its terrace. The structure was so much celebrated that only the Maharaja’s Elephant, Horse Carriage or Rolls Royce could pass through the arches of this landmark edifice.
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Mandvi is so dearly to its people that it is literally the center of all festivities. During the festivals the great structure is bedecked in beautiful lights, and stands as a source of enchantment for little children who come to the surrounding colorful markets brimming with energy.
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