The present bridge over the Vishwamitri river, connecting the Sayajiganj area to the Kirti Mandir side, has roots that go even deeper that the Mughals era of Baroda.
The first bridge to be built on the site was actually built by Muzafar II in the 16th century . This bridge was then improvised upon by the Mughals in sometime between the 16th and 18th century. After the conquest of Baroda by the Gaekwads in the 18th century, it was again re-cast by the Gaekwads in the early 1800s.
This bridge was made from stones and rested upon two tiers of massive arches running under it. During those times, one of the sides of the bridge had expansive ghats on both the banks of the river. These ghats were used by the people for bathing and washing their clothes. Although some portion of the ghat is still there, most of the portions of the ghats have vanished over the years.
A crocodile and a fish :
If you go on the ghats today, you will see two huge pieces of stone carved into a fish and a crocodile lying around.
These sculptures was commissioned by Malharrao Gaekwad. In the olden days these stones were placed on specific levels on the steps. It is said that these were the indicators of flood in specific areas of the city. When the water of the river reached to the level of one of these indicators, flood situations would be predicted in different areas of the city. Though it is also said that the statues here were kept just for aesthetics.
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Now known as the Kala Ghoda Bridge, because of its proximity to the Equestrian Statue of Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III, the old bridge has been built over in concrete to accommodate the needs of changing times.
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