Situated in the heart of the city, Polo Ground is a vast open space used by the residents during festivals. Originally, there was a large lake called Bhesana or Bhesaniya Talao at this site. Between 1910 and 1912, the lake was filled with soil to create Polo Ground, under the orders of Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III.
The Bhesana Talav was formerly known as Mahasenak Talav. This name appears in historical records as one of the boundaries of the ancient settlement called Vatapatraka, mentioned in an old Tamrapatraka (inscribed copper plate). This Tamrapatraka contains the first written reference to Vadodara as the Vatapatraka settlement. The 9th-century copper plate is currently housed at the Oriental Institute of Maharaja Sayajirao University.
After the Polo Club was established in 1936, the royal family leased the Polo Ground for administration by the Polo Club and the Collector. Spanning 16 acres, Polo Ground can accommodate up to 2 million people at a time. Initially used for playing polo, the ground now serves as a venue for cricket coaching. During the summer, a large circus is set up, much to the delight of the city’s children. Additionally, the ground hosts festivities during celebrations like Diwali and Dussehra, making it a vibrant center of activity in the heart of the city.
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