Shiv Mahal Palace

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The Shiv Mahal Palace is one of the many palaces built by the Gaekwads in Baroda. Located near the Chakli Circle in the Race-course area, the palace was built around 1936, for Shivajirao the third son of Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III. Shivajirao was one of the famous names associated with the cricket from the Baroda State.

After Shivajirao passed away in November 1919 at a young age of just 29 years, the Palace became the residence of his son Udaysinhrao Gaekwad. Working on the lines of his father, Prince Udaysinh also came to be a First-Class(an official classification of the highest-standard international or domestic cricket matches) cricketer.

Resident Cricketer :

Baroda’s long association with cricket probably began with Shivajirao. He played first-class cricket in England in 1910. The following year he made his debut for Oxford University in first-class matches, appearing against Surrey at Oxford, 1911 proved to be a busy season of first-class cricket for Gaekwad, with one appearance for the Marylebone Cricket Club, which was followed by three appearances for the Indians against county opposition as part of their 1911 tour of the British Isles. He made two first-class appearances for Oxford University in 1912 against the touring South Africans and Australians.

Returning to India, he made his final appearance in first-class cricket for a combined Hindus and Muslims team against a combined European and Parsees team. Across fourteen first-class appearances, he scored a total of 406 runs, averaging 15.61, with a high score of 62. This was one of two half-centuries he made in first-class cricket.

Unfortunately, Shivajirao fell ill with pneumonia in 1919, as a result, he was admitted to a clinic in Baroda for treatment. However, he never recovered from the illness and passed away.

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The Shiv Mahal Palace has a charm of its own and is grand in its own different way. Unlike other palaces of Baroda, this palace is sparsely embellished. It stands faced in an earthly tone of ochre-colored stone amidst vast green lawns. Over the years the Palace lawns have come to be provided on rent for weddings and such, putting forward a grand royal venue for people other than for the royalty itself !!!

Map Link to Shiv Mahal Palace – 

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