Located in Madan Zampa area, is an open air theatre, which is more than a 150 years old. Earlier known as the Wankaner Theatre, it was built by Maharaja Ganpatrao Gaekwad. It was named Wakaner Theatre as it was inaugrated by the then Maharaja of Wankaner (Saurashtra). No exact date of inauguration is found but it is said that it was…
The ‘Gaekwar’s Baroda State Railway (GBSR)’ was the first narrow-gauge railway line in India. Owned by the princely state of Baroda, it was the first railway built & operated by a native Prince. Railway in Baroda: The first rail tracks were laid during the reign of Maharaja Khanderao Gaekwar, & the 20-mile railway line from Dabhoi to Miyagam was opened…
Housed as a part of the clubhouse in the railway colony at Pratapnagar, the Pratapnagar Railway Museum lies at the end of the Railway Heritage Park. It was inaugurated on 27th January 1997. Attractions: The Heritage Gallery at the museum houses antiques from the days of the Gaekwar’s Baroda State Railway (GBSR); signaling boxes, portable generators and even cutlery, all…
Situated opposite Pologround, is a huge precinct which one may identify as an old building, once the Royal Stable and Garage known as the “Bagikhana” (the place where horse carraiges/baggis are parked). Once, a symbol of prestige and glory, the precinct now serves as the Baroda High School, Bagikhana. The Stables : The building was commissioned by Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad…
Kirti Stambh, one of the most popular landmarks of Vadodara, is located near the Polo Ground. It was built in 1935 to commemorate 60 years rule of Maharaja Sayajirao Geakwad III. The Stambh is made out of pink ‘Songadh stone’. It stands tall opposite to the Nehru Bhavan with a lion perched at its top and facing eastwards. Kirti Stambh…
Referred to as the last of the big spenders, Maharaja Pratapsinhrao was the last royal connoisseur of luxury. The Maharaja commissioned some of the most fabulous pieces of jewelry & also some fabulous articles of daily use. One of these articles was a gold cage for his pet frog. A gold ladder and emerald birds: Nicknamed as “House of Hortense”,…
The Gaekwads of Baroda are just as famous for their luxurious extravagance as they are for their social reforms. And one of the things that represent this richness is the custom made Louis Vuitton Tea Case. This Case was commissioned by the erstwhile Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III in 1926. It was made from Grained Leather & contained all necessary accouterments…
“The ‘Star of the South’ is one of the world’s most famous diamonds. Discovered in 1853, it became the first Brazilian diamond to receive international acclaim. This was later mounted on a necklace as part of the Gaekwad family jewellery.” They say that “a diamond is a woman’s best friend”, and so it would be when a slave woman working…
The Gaekwads of Baroda have long been identified as the connoisseurs of fine jewels and precious diamonds. Thus, it almost doesn’t come as surprise when one associates the famous fancy yellow diamond “The Moon of Baroda” with the Gaekwads. The Journey : Along with the “Star of the South” and the “English Dresden”, the diamond called “The Moon of Baroda”…
Named as the “Princie” diamond after the son of Sita Devi and Pratapsinhrao Gaekwad the diamond actually had no relation to the Gaekwads as such. It actually belonged to the Nizam royal family of Hyderabad. The massive 34.65 carat cushion-cut fancy intense pink diamond was discovered 300 years ago in the Golconda mines. Princie Diamond is believed to be the…