Pani Gate (Darwaja), serves as the eastern gateway to the old city of Vadodara (Baroda). It is one of the entry gates to the walled city of Baroda, called the Kila-e-Daulatabad and was built by Khalil Khan along with the now extinct fort walls during the 16th century.
The name Panigate (literally translates to Water gate) is said to have been given because of the presence of the Ajab and Raje lakes, which supplied water to the city, in the vicinity.The gateway has massive Islamic/Ogee arches along with the lotus motif embellishing it’s spandrils. It also has bands carved stone motifs running along all the sides of the structure. Apart from this it is also decorated using two small jharokha like elements that flank the sides of the arch. It also has guard rooms tucked on it’s inner portion which also provide access to the upper level of the gateway. On its outer side, above the main arch, there is a metal structure which appears like a nose. People call it ‘Vadodara nu naak’ – a metaphor for the city’s honour. The gate was restored few years back as some portion of it had collapsed and a room with sloping roof was added on the top.
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