Baroda’s contribution in India’s Independence

As INDIA celebrates 75 years of Independence, here’s an insight into how the Baroda State silently but surely made its contribution in the Indian struggle for Independence. While Baroda State always stayed an ally of the Britishers on the surface, it silently provided a crucial support to revolutionaries and their activities. This fact can be understood by reflecting on the…

Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad 3

The sprawling cities that we see growing around us nowadays, are actually the results of a long process of evolution, evolution of culture, people, landscape and dynasties. The Baroda that we see today, the cultural capital of Gujarat, is just one example of these processes. Every place passes through the hands of many kings and  dynasties, but every so often…

Baroda Stadium

The scheme for building a stadium in Baroda was a significant endeavour initiated by His late Highness Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III on February 1st, 1938, pending the finalisation of the site. In the pursuit of a suitable location, three potential sites were meticulously evaluated: one along the Jagannath Sadashiv Road beyond Pani-gate, another situated north of Arya Kanya Maha-Vidyalaya, and…

Royal Baroda Gaekwad Olympics

During the reign of Gaekwad’s, Baroda was one of the major hub for sports to lines of Olympics. Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III were known for promoting Indian & local sports. Sportsmen form across India & foreign sportsperson used to come for participation in Baroda. More than 150 sports like athletics, kabaddi, long jump, hockey, wrestling, bodybuilding and kho-kho were played. It…

Shri Shanidev Temple

Shri Shanidev’s temple is located in old city’s Wadi area. It is ~260 years old temple. The temple has idol of Lord Shani which is artistically carved from a single black stone. It is said that this is only idol of Lord Shanidev where they are riding on the buffalo, in whole Gujarat. Father-son alliance is seen in temple, where…

Majumdar Wada

This Wada is notable for its important association with Sri Aurobindo who in late December of 1907 & January of 1908 spent few days here in meditation with his spiritual guide, Vishnu Bhaskar Lele. At end of few days, Sri Aurobindo had attained ‘eternal silence of mind’ – the precondition for discovering his own path to the ultimate revelation. It…

Mankari Bhavan

Mankari Building/Bhavan was located near Makarpura Palace which once had beautiful fountains & also had a wooden bridge to it’s compound ! It is said that Captain Rajkumar Shri Kiritsinhji Gambhirsinhji Sahib were ADC and companion to the Maharaja Gaekwad of Baroda (1897) & Mankari of Baroda City. Mankari (Maankari) is a hereditary title used by Maratha nobles who held…

Shikarkhana at Dabka

There are many activities and sports that are associated with kings that really make them royal and set them apart from the general public, and Hunting is one of them. This was also the case with the Gaekwads, the erstwhile rulers of Baroda who kept many hunting reserves around the capital, out of which Dabka is one. Situated near banks…

Balwantrao Palace

This lost palace was made during early 19th century during the reign of Maharaja Anandrao Gaekwad, for his son Balwantrao Gaekwad. Anandrao Gaekwad died even before the palace was completed. Sayajirao II ascended throne. It is said that Balwantrao resided here with his family. After he died, the place was unused & the palace structure became dilapidated over the time…

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Then & Now