While walking through certain parts of the old city, one may come across strange yet regal-looking poles topped with arrows. These poles are actually the vent shafts of an elaborate underground drainage system.
As part of his visionary schemes, Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III commissioned a well-planned drainage system in 1894. Thus, a meticulously designed drainage network was established, featuring vent shafts positioned every 500 meters. These shafts provided an exit for the foul gases arising from sewage, ensuring that the city remained odor-free.
Typically painted in green or rusty red, these hollow shafts were cast from wrought iron. They had openings at the top for the release of foul gases, and the arrow on top indicated the direction of the drainage pipe. Many of these shafts bear inscriptions such as ‘Kala Bhavan’ or ‘Ahmedabad,’ marking their origins.
It is said that even before 1894, Baroda had an underground drainage system, potentially making it the first state in India to implement such a solution. While the existence of a drainage system prior to 1894 may be uncertain, it is clear that Baroda’s innovations inspired other states. Notably, the Nizams of Hyderabad installed their own underground drainage systems after witnessing the advancements made in Baroda!
Nice information
He was 200 years ahead of his time, he was a true visionary and his town planning strategies should be included in school and college texts