Vadodara – 150 Years of ‘Sayaji Nagri’ (1863 – 2012)

Vadodara-Baroda By No Comments

The city of Vadodara that we see today is the legacy of Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III – a realisation of his of vision of a educated, industrialised, cultural capital that was a source of pride for its residents and the nation.

Importance of Year 2012 for Vadodara

The year 2012 marks the 150th birth anniversary of Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad – after whom Vadodara takes the sobriquet of Sayaji Nagri. To celebrate this momentous occasion, the VM team  has proposed to organize a mega cultural & sporting extravaganza in order to rediscover our cultural diversity and cut across religious, gender, age and economic divide.

A Quote from Sir Sayajirao: “I have come to rule.” – The Legend of Sayajirao

Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III was born in the year 1863 as Shrimant Gopalrao Gaekwad, son of Shrimant Kashirao Gaekwad. Subsequent to the death of Maharaja Khanderao Gaekwad – who died without an heir – the young Gopalrao walked almost 600 km from Kavlana to the royal court in Baroda, with his brothers and father. When asked by the queen, Maharani Jamnabai, why he had come to Baroda, Gopalrao unhesitatingly replied, “I have come to rule.”

Impressed, the queen adopted him and gave him the name Sayajirao.

The Prince among Educators & the Educator among Princess

Crowned in 1875, Sayajirao is widely regarded as one of the greatest statesmen and educator of pre-independent India. He was an avant-garde ruler who initiated several educational, economic, cultural and societal reforms during his lifetime.

Today the city of Vadodara stands as a testimony to his vision of a multi cultural, economic and educational hub – the Sanskari Nagri.

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