Baroda State was renowned as one of the wealthiest states during the princely period, boasting its own army and navy. In 1725, 299 years ago, the first Maharaja of Baroda State, Pilajirao Gaekwad, was appointed by the Peshwas as the General of Revenue Collection. To safeguard the coastline from foreign invasions and enhance trade, a navy was established. Ships armed…
Baroda State had its own army and navy, collectively known as the Baroda State Royal Army. Renowned as one of the most modern and capable forces in India during its time, it was Maharaja Khanderao Gaekwad (1856 to 1870 AD) who established and organized a regular force comprising infantry, cavalry, and artillery. European and Anglo-Indian trainers were engaged to train…
Opened in 1929, Shivaji Chitra Bhavan, located near the Music College, was Baroda’s first cinema house to feature a cinemascope screen. Originally named Chitra Bhavan, the theatre was known for showing silent films in its early days. The Evolution of the Theatre In 1969, the theatre was damaged during riots but was soon renovated and reopened as Prince Cinema (Talkies)….
Imagine strolling down a road enveloped in the gentle shade of towering trees, with warm sunlight filtering through lush green foliage and the air enriched with earthy fragrances. This picturesque scene brings to mind the historic Indira Avenue, now commonly known as Jail Road. Originally, Indira Avenue was narrower and lined with an impressive 800 Banyan trees, planted in the…
Also popularly known as Yahudi Kabristan, the Israel Kabristan (graveyard), this 140+ years old historical site lies at the mouth of what technically used to be the Nizampura village. The patch of land now known as the Israeli Kabristan was gifted to the Jewish community of Baroda in 1875, by the then Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III. There is even a ‘Khat’…
Located in the bustling Dandia Bazaar area, the Khanqah-e-Rifaiya stands as a historic and spiritual landmark in the heart of the city. Over 200 years old, this dargah is dedicated to Hazrat Saiyed Fakhruddin, also known as Amirmiyan Rifai, a revered figure from the Refaia silsila of Basra, Iraq. The dargah is celebrated for its healing properties attributed to its…
Do you know what Vijay Hazare, Irfan Pathan, Yusuf Pathan, Hardik Pandya, and Kunal Pandya have in common? The answer is Baroda. Over the years Baroda has given the country many of its great cricketers. Be it Vijay Hazare or the Pathan Brothers or the most recent Pandya Brothers, they all have one thing in common, they all come from…
Located across the main gate of Lukshmi Vilas Palace, is the BDHA (Baroda District Hockey Association). Just like every other sports association of Baroda, this also started with patronage from the royal family. The ground and the building housing the association was donated by the Gaekwads. BDHA is non-commercial association, affiliated to Gujarat State Hockey Association. It trains and promotes…
No good railway facility is complete without lodging amenities for both travelers and staff. That’s why the Damajirao Dharamshala, located just opposite the Vadodara Railway Station, was commissioned by Maharaja Ganpatrao Gaekwad. The current structure was completed during the 1870s under Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III. The Damajirao Dharamshala was bustling in its prime. Originally constructed during Maharaja Ganpatrao Gaekwad’s reign,…
Perched on a high pedestal near Sir Sayajirao General (SSG) Hospital stands the statue of Yuvraj Fatehsinhrao Gaekwad I. Titled “Lieutenant-Colonel Shrimant Yuvaraj Fatehsinhrao Gaekwad, Yuvaraj Sahib of Baroda,” Fatehsinhrao I was the eldest son of Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III. Born on August 3, 1883, he tragically passed away at the young age of 25 on September 14, 1908. The…