Sardar Inamdar More of Manjalpur

The Sardar Inamdar More family of Manjalpur represents a vital historical link between the Konkan region of Maharashtra and the princely state of Baroda. Originally hailing from Chatav in the Khed taluka of Ratnagiri, the family belongs to the prestigious More clan of the 96 Kuli Marathas. Their migration to Gujarat occurred during the expansion of the Maratha Empire, where they served under the Gaekwad dynasty. As military and administrative elites, they were granted the titles of Sardar and Inamdar, reflecting their status as noble landholders who provided service to the Baroda State in exchange for land grants (Inams) in the Manjalpur area.

The family’s prominence was further cemented through strategic marital and professional ties with the Baroda State. Shri Sukhojirao More entered a matrimonial alliance with the daughter of Maharaja Khanderao Gaekwad, receiving the village of Manjalpur as Kanyadan (a ritual gift during marriage). This union bestowed upon the family the honor of being the Inamdars of Manjalpur, granting them the authority to collect land revenue across a vast jurisdiction stretching from the Lalbaug Railway crossing to Makarpura village. Beyond land administration, the family was renowned for their horse-trading business, which kept them in constant contact with various royal kingdoms. This tradition of high-level service continued into the reign of Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III, during which Sardar Inamdar Shrimant Appasaheb Yeshwantrao More served as the Treasury In-Charge of the Baroda State.

The family’s ancestral residence, or Wada, remains an active legacy at this site today, now popularly known as ‘Sai Leela’. It stands as a significant architectural landmark in Vadodara, showcasing a masterful fusion of Maharashtrian and Northern styles. While the structural layout follows the traditional Maratha Wada pattern, centered around open courtyards (Chowks) for ventilation and privacy, the exterior and decorative elements often incorporate the intricate woodwork and arched motifs prevalent in Baroda’s royal architecture. This hybrid style symbolizes the cultural synthesis that occurred as Maratha families integrated into the local Gujarati landscape while maintaining their distinct Maharashtrian identity.

The Golden Chariot was made under the guidance of Sardar Inamdar Appasaheb Yeshwantrao Moray (More), Raj Ratna Awardee, who was Treasury in-charge of Baroda State, as per the instructions of Great Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III.

श्रीमंत सरकार महाराज तिसरे सयाजीराव गायकवाड सेना खासखेल समशेर बहाद्दूर, फर्जंदे खास-ए-दौलते इंग्लिशिया ह्यंच्या हुकूमने ही सोन्याची गाडी जवाहीरखाना कारखानियत समेती च्या देखरेखीत तयार करविन्यात आली.
प्ररंभ नोव्हेंबर १९२६
पूर्णा नोव्हेंबर १९३०

Information embossed on the backside of the Golden Chariot

On Dussehra Day, Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III was using this Golden Chariot to visit Baroda City and to meet various people.

Today, the family’s legacy remains preserved through both their physical heritage and local urban nomenclature. The Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) formally recognised their historical importance by naming the approach road ‘Sardar Inamdar More Colony’, ensuring that the memory of Sardar Shivajirao More and his ancestors continues to be part of the city’s modern identity.

 Images in this post may have been AI-enhanced for clarity and color.
 Written in collaboration with Deepali More.