Vadodara

"Baroda" redirects here. For other uses, see Baroda (disambiguation).

Vadodara Vadodara Baroda
Nickname:  Sanskari Nagari/Sayaji Nagari
Population  (2007)
• Total	1,641,566
• Rank	18
Website	www.vadodaracity.com
Seal of Vaodara Municipal Corporation

Vadodara (Gujarati: વડોદરા, ), also known as 'Baroda', is the third most-populated town in the Indian state of Gujarat after Ahmedabad and Surat. It is one of four towns in the state with a population of over 1 million, the other being Rajkot and the two cities listed above. It is also known as the Sayaji Nagari or Sanskari Nagari (Cultural Capital of Gujarat). Vadodara or Baroda, formerly the capital city of Gaekwar State, is situated on the banks of Vishwamitri, a river whose name derived from the great saint Rishi Vishvamitra. It is located southeast of Ahmedabad. It is the administrative headquarters of Vadodara District.

Vadodara is home to almost 1.6 million people (as of 2005), the beautiful Lakshmi Vilas Palace and the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda (M.S.U.) which is famous for various departments, including the fine arts, performing arts, technology, management and medicine streams. It has a high literacy rate by Indian standards of 78% (2001). Major industries include petrochemicals, engineering, pharmaceuticals, and plastics.

History

Baroda State has a rich historical background. The ardent historian can trace Baroda's history over 2000 years and more. The first noted history of the city was of the early trader settlers who settled in the region in 812 A.D. The province was mainly Hindu-dominated with Hindu kings ruling till the year 1297. The Gupta Dynasty was the first power rulers of the region. After fierce battles, the region was taken over by the Chalukya Dynasty. Finally, the kingdom was annexed by the Solankis. By this time the Muslim rule had spread across India, and the reins of power were then snatched by the Delhi Sultans. The city was ruled for a long time by these Sultans, until they were easily overthrown by the grand Mughal emperors. The Mughals biggest problem were the mighty Marathas who slowly but eventually took over the region. It became the capital of the Maratha Gaekwads. Sayaji Rao III was the most able ruler of them, and he made many public and bureaucratic implementations in the region. The British had a major influence on the region but Vadodara remained a princely state till Independence and like all other princely states, Vadodara also joined the Republic of India in 1947.

Origin of name

Two thousand years back, there was a small town known as "Ankottak " (present day Akota) on the western bank of river Vishvamitri. The earliest mention of Vadodara is in a granth or charter of 812 that identifies it as Vadapadraka, a village attached to the nearby town of Ankottaka. In 600 AD severe floods in Vishvamitri forced the inhabitants to move to the eastern side of the river to a village known as "Vatpatrak" (Leaf of Banayan tree) which developed into Vadodara. In the 10th century Vadapadraka replaced Ankottaka as the main town.

The city was once called Chandanavati after its ruler Raja Chandan of Dor tribe of Rajputs, who wrested it from the Jains. The capital had also another name "Virakshetra" or "Virawati" (A Land of Warriors). Later on it was known as Vadpatraka or Wadodará, which according to tradition is a corrupt form of the Sanskrit word Vatodar means 'In the heart of the Banyan tree'. It is now almost impossible to ascertain when the various changes in the name were made; but early English travellers and merchants mention the town as Brodera, and it is from this that the name Baroda is derived. Again in 1974, the official name was changed to Vadodara.

Mid-Pleistocene Period

The early man lived on the banks of the river Mahi. This river must have formed the flood plain during that age. The movements of this “food gathering” parasites on nature, living on the banks of the river, grumbling the roots and killing animals with crude stone tools made out of the cobbles and pebbles available on the river bank, were necessarily controlled by the availability of convenient raw materials for their tools. There are evidences of the existence of early man in the Mahi river valley at a number of sites within 10 to 20 km to the north-east ot Vadodara. No evidences however of the existence of this man are found in and around present Vadodara. This may be because of the absence of gravels and cobbles on the banks of the Vishwamitri rivulet.

The next phase of the pre-historic Vadodara witnessed the first human settlement on the right bank of the river vishwamitri on a group of dunes resting on the alluvium of the river. It also means that men knew about where to set up settlements, as they had selected an elevated land. The Vishwamitri must have been prone to seasonal floods even then. These people still belonged to the stone age, crafting their tools with finely grained stones. From their material culture and physical environment, they seem to have belonged to the same culture as those whose implements were found in the Mahi river valley. This human settlement has been dated 1000 b.c.

Old Ankotakka

Shivji's Murti in Sur Sagar Lake

Around the beginning of the Christian Era, a small township developed at the same spot as the above mentioned settlement on the right bank of the river. It came to be know as Ankotakka (present day Akota), the mound on which this settlement was established came to be known as Dhantekri. The entire settlement was developed by clearing grazing land and forest of Ankhol and covered an area of ½ to ¾ sq. km. This is indicative of the presence of thick forests during those times. Due to its location on the ancient trade route between Gujarat and Malva, this small township flourished in to a commercial entre. There was a supposed commercial relation between this township and Rome.

The township of Ankotakka developed during the rules of the Guptas and the Vallabhis. It was subjected to periodical heavy floods. But a severe flood which inundated the renovated public hall, forced the inhabitants to abandon this township and move away from the banks of the Vishwamitri.

The event occurred in 600 A.D. The inhabitants moved to the east of Ankotakka to another elevated portion located on the present kothi area. This formed the nucleus of a new township.

Recent history

The City of Vadodara apty described by a medieval Jain writer as a “Tilak on the Brove of Lata.” was a nodal center of the costal plain of Gujarat. It is strategically situated at a junction of the main highways linking Gujarat with Rajputana and the Punjab in the north, the Malva and the Gangetic valley in the north east, Konkan in the south and Khandesh in the south-east. Significantly Vadodara today is a junction on the western railway of the lines leading to Ahmedabad, Delhi & Mumbai. This confirms the historic role of Vadodara in the communication pattern for movements of people and culture. The history of Vadodara city amply bears out its cultural and commercial activities during the last two thousand years. Apart form the traditional stories, our knowledge of the history of Vadodara is based mainly on Jain literature and a few old inscriptions pertaining to Vadodara.

Baroda state in 1909

Baroda State was a former Indian State in Western India. Vadodara's more recent history began when the Maratha leader Pilaji Gaekwad (or Gaikwar) conquered Sonagad from the Mughal Empire in 1726. Before the Gaekwars captured Baroda, it was ruled by Babi Nawabs, who were the officers of the Delhi ruler. Moghul rule came to an end in 1732, when Pilaji Rao Gaekwar brought the Maratha activities in Southern Gujarat to a head and captured it. Except for a short period, Baroda continued to be in the reign of the Gaekwars from 1734 to 1948. Initially detailed to collect revenue on behalf of the Peshwa in Gujarat, Pilaji Gaekwad remained there to carve out a kingdom for himself. Damajirao, son and successor of Pilajirao defeated the Mughal armies and conquered Baroda in 1734. He assumed the titles of an independent ruler. His successors consolidated their power over large tracts of Gujarat, becoming easily the most powerful rulers in the region. After the Maratha defeat by the Afghans at the Third Battle of Panipat in 1761, control of the empire by the Peshwas weakened as it became a loose confederacy, and the Gaekwad Maharajas ruled the kingdom until Indian independence. In 1802, the British intervened to defend a Maharaja that had recently inherited the throne from rival claimants, and Vadodara concluded a treaty with the British that recognized the Kingdom as a 'Princely state' and allowed the Maharajas of Baroda internal political sovereignty in return for recognizing British 'Paramountcy', a form of suzereignty where the subject of foreign affairs was completely surrendered.

The greatest period in the Maratha rule of Baroda started with the accession of Maharaja Sayajirao III in 1875. It was an era of great progress and constructive achievements in all fields. Maharaja Sayajirao III, who ruled from 1875 to 1939, did much to modernize Baroda, establishing compulsory primary education, a library system, a university, and model textile and tile factories, which helped to create Baroda's modern textile industry. Modern Vadodara is a great and fitting memorial to Maharaja Sayajirao. It was the dream of this able administrator to make Baroda an educational, industrial and commercial centre and he ensured that his dream would come true. For this reason, the city is also referred to as Sayaji Nagari (the town of Sayaji).

With India's independence in 1947, the last ruling Maharaja of Baroda acceded to India. Baroda was merged into to Bombay State shortly after independence, which was divided into the states of Gujarat and Maharastra in 1960, with Baroda part of Gujarat.

In recent times, Vadodara was affected by the devastating January 26, 2001 earthquake that struck Gujarat. The city was spared the devastation suffered by some of the other major cities in Gujarat. However there were some casualties as poorly constructed buildings collapsed in the wake of the earthquake and the after shocks.

Culture

File:Navratri1.jpg

Aarkee Garba during Navratri Festival

Vadodara is also known as ‘Sanskari Nagari’, means a ‘Cultured City’. Vadodara is one of India’s most cosmopolitan cities. Thanks to the vision and broadmindedness of the Gaekwads, the subsequent industrialisation, the proliferation of academic activities and a strategically important geographical location, Baroda has welcomed a wide variety of people from all over India and also from all over the world. In all of this, the sprawling and cosmopolitan MS University campus and the large number of local, national and foreign industries act as a catalysing and unifying force.

The great museums on the palace grounds such as the Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum and art gallery are unique and carry artifacts from around the nation and the world. There are Gujarati film studios in the city as well as a large number of large old-style movie theatres in addition to the newer multiplexes that have sprung up in the past few years.

Diwali, Uttarayan, Holi, Ganesh Chaturthi, Eid, Christmas and New Year are celebrated with great fervour. Classical music and dance have their patrons, and so does the modern stage and pop culture. The culture and the traditions are both alive and being forever experimented with.

Navratri is the city's largest festival, with song, dance and lights, occurring every October. Many of the residents spend their evenings at their local Garba grounds where local musicians play traditional music while people dance the raas and garba dances. This is also a time when the youth are more visible outdoors and until later than other times of the year. The people of Vadodara have preserved the original and the traditional part of the Navratri. Garba in Vadodara attracts a fairly large number of international tourists.

Industry and commerce

Vadodara enjoys a special place in the state of Gujarat. Until the early 1960s Vadodara was considered to be a cultural and educational centre. The first modern factory (Alembic Pharmaceuticals) was established in Vadodara in 1907 and subsequently companies such as Sarabhai Chemicals, and Jyoti came up in the 1940s. By 1962 there were 288 factories employing 27,510 workers. At that time, the dominant industrial groups were chemicals and pharmaceuticals, cotton textiles and machine tools. The establishment of Bank of Baroda by Sayajirao III in 1908 also help industrial growth.

In 1962, Vadodara witnessed a sudden spurt in industrial activity with the establishment of Gujarat Refinery, Indian Oil Corporation. Several factors like raw material availability, product demand, skillful mobilisation of human, financial and material resources by the government and private entrepreneurs have contributed to Baroda becoming one of India’s foremost industrial centres.

The discovery of oil and gas in Ankleshwar led to the industrial development of Gujarat in a big way. The Vadodara region is the largest beneficiary in the process of this industrialisation. Gujarat Refinery went into the first phase of production in 1965. The refinery being a basic industry made vital contributions on several fronts at the regional and national levels.

In Vadodara various large-scale industries such as Gujarat State Fertilisers & Chemicals (GSFC), Indian Petrochemicals Corporation Limited (IPCL, Reliance) and Gujarat Alkalies and Chemicals Limited (GACL) have come up in the vicinity of Gujarat Refinery and all of them are dependent on it for their fuel and feedstock. Other large-scale public sector units are Heavy Water Project, Gujarat Industries Power Company Limited, ONGC & GAIL. In addition to these public sector enterprises, a number of other large-scale enterprises have come up in the private sector.

The establishment of large industrial units in a region automatically brings into existence a number of smaller enterprises. Vadodara is no exception and the city and the surrounding areas are today humming with industrial activity. The industrialisation of Vadodara has attracted entrepreneurs not only from Vadodara but also from all over Gujarat and India.

In line with the 'Knowledge City'. vision of the Confederation of Indian Industry, Vadodara is gradually becoming a hub in Gujarat for IT and development projects.

Education

Maharaja Sayajirao University

The patronage of education started with Maharaja Sayajirao and the city has built further on the academic infrastructure established by him.

The present educational foundation rests on over 20 public schools and over 100 private schools. Towering benevolently over all is the MS University, the jewel in the Baroda crown, so to speak. MSU is the only university in Gujarat with English as the only medium of instruction. It has 13 faculties and 17 residential hostels, 4 of them for women students. The university caters to over 100,000 students. There are various courses that are being offered in here ranging from Medical to Commerce. The university has been divided into several departments and there are number of courses offered in each of the department. The fine Arts faculty is famous worldwide for its contribution in arts. The faculty of performing arts is also a very reputed institution teaching music, drama, dancing etc. There are other premier institutes also located in city including Sigma Institute of Management Studies, Technology & Engineering & Parul Institute of Engineering and Technology. Baroda has many public and private schools, imparting quality education.

The recent decision of CII to develop Vadodara as 'Knowledge CITY'. has been well received by the Barodians all over the world

Sports

Cricket is by far the most popular sport in the city, as it is in the rest of the country. However, the interest in football (soccer), field hockey, volleyball, table tennis and tennis is much greater than the average Indian city.

Not only Vadodara has its own first-class cricket team that competes at the national level, but it also boasts of the oldest cricket ground in Asia, called Moti Baug (The same ground on which Mohammad Azharuddin had scored a record fastest century of 62 balls, now broken). Apart, from that there is also a private cricket ground owned by IPCL, which also hosts ODI. Prominent cricket players from Vadodara include Vijay Hazare, Chandu Borde, Kiran More, Nayan Mongia, Anshuman Gaekwad (former coach of the Indian cricket team) and more recently Zaheer Khan, Irfan Pathan, Jacob Martin and Connor Williams. The Baroda cricket team has been a consistently good performer at the national domestic Ranji Trophy championship and has won it 6 times.

At schools a huge range of sports tend to be played. Vadodara has a rich tradition in which various schools compete against each other in various inter-school sporting competitions.

Transport

The city is on the major rail and road arteries joining Mumbai with Delhi and Mumbai with Ahmedabad. Due to this Vadodara is known as a ‘Gateway to the Golden Corridor’.

Air: Vadodara Airport is well connected with the cities of Mumbai and Delhi, with multiple daily flights to these locations.

Rail: Vadodara was part of historic BBCI Railway. Railway was arrived in Vadodara in early 1860s. On 5 November 1951 the Bombay, Baroda, and Central India Railway was merged with the Saurashtra, Rajputana and Jaipur railways to give rise to the Western Railway. Now, the Vadodara Railway Station belongs to the Western Railways division of Indian Railways and is a major station on the Mumbai-Delhi and Mumbai-Ahmedabad routes. All trains, including superfast and express, stop here.

Vadodara Railway Stations: Vadodara Junction, Makarpura & Vishwamitri Stations

Road: National Highway No. 8 passes through the city. Vadodara is also connected with Ahmedabad through Indian National Expressway 1, a stretch of 97 km Super Highway with only 2 exits.

Public transport vehicles within the city include buses, autorickshaws and taxis. There are a few private bus and taxi services as well. A significant proportion of the population uses their own vehicles – cars, scooters, motorcycles and bicycles.

• Paved Roads: 1680 km
• Unpaved Roads: 400 km
• Total Roads: 2080 km

Geography and Climate

Vadodara is located at 22.30°N 73.19°E / 22.30; 73.19 in western India at an elevation of 39 metres (123 feet). It is the 18th largest city of the India with an area of 148.95 km² and a population of 1.6 Millions according to 2001 Census. The city sits on the banks of the River Vishwamitri, in central Gujarat. The Vishwamitri frequently dries up in the summer, leaving only a small stream of water. The city is located between the furtile platue between Mahi & Narmada River. According to the Bureau of Indian Standards, the town falls under seismic zone-III, in a scale of I to V (in order of increasing proneness to earthquakes).

There are three main seasons: Summer, Monsoon and Winter. Aside from the monsoon season, the climate is dry. The weather is hot through the months of March to July — the average summer maximum is 36 °C (97 °F), and the average minimum is 23 °C (73 °F). From November to February, the average maximum temperature is 30 °C (85 °F), the average minimum is 15 °C (59 °F), and the climate is extremely dry. Cold northerly winds are responsible for a mild chill in January. The southwest monsoon brings a humid climate from mid-June to mid-September. The average rainfall is 93 cm (36.7 inches), but infrequent heavy torrential rains cause the river to flood. The highest temperature recorded is 46 °C (116.6 °F) and the lowest is 1 °C (41 °F). In recent years, Vadodara has suffered from increasing air, water and soil pollution from neighbouring industrial areas.

Vadodara is divided by the Vishwamitri into two physically distinct eastern and western regions. The eastern bank of the river houses the old city, which includes the old fortified city of Vadodara. This part of Vadodara is characterised by packed bazaars, the clustered and barricaded pol system of shanty buildings, and numerous places of worship. It houses the General Post Office and landmark buildings like Laxmi Vilas Palace, Mandvi and Nyay Mandier. The colonial period saw the expansion of the city to the western side of Vishwamitri. This part of the city houses educational institutions like Maharaja Sayajirao University, Railway Station, modern buildings, well-planned residential areas, shopping malls, multiplexes and new business districts centred around R. C. Dutt Road, Alkapuri and more recently, the Old Padra Road.

• Winter Temperature: Max 29 °C, Min 9 °C
• Summer Temperature: Max 46 °C, Min 24 °C
• Rainfall (mid-June to mid-September): 931.9 mm
• Lowest Recorded Temperature: 1 °C
• Highest Recorded Temperature: 47 °C

Demographics

As of 2001 India censusTemplate:GR, Vadodara metropolitan area had a population of 1,492,398. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Vadodara has an average literacy rate of 78%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; male literacy is 82%, and female literacy is 74%. In Vadodara, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.

• Population trends in recent years

1961: 298,398

1971: 467,487

1981: 734,473

1991: 1,031,346

2001: 1,492,398

2007: 2,200,000 (projected)

• Number of households: 213,540
• Population density: 9,527/km²
• Literacy: 76.11% of total population (males 79.21%; females 68.41%)
• Sex Ratio: 909 Female per 1000 Male

Civic Administration

• Election Wards: 26
• Seats (Corporators): 78
• Population per ward: 31,122
• Seats reserved for women: 26
• Total voters (as on 17-1-97): 809,185

Media

Vadodara has a number of newspaper publications. English-language dailies published and sold in the city are the Times of India, Indian Express,and Economic Times. There are three Gujarati dailies in the city — Sandesh, Gujarat Samachar and Divya Bhaskar. A large number of magazines, periodicals and journals are regularly published and circulated across the city. The Gujarat film and television industry has a small but significant presence in the city. The city has four local FM stations: Radio Mirchi (98.3 MHz), Big FM (92.7 MHz), Radio City (91.1 MHz) and All India Radio (93.9 MHz). All India Radio is broadcast on the AM band. Satellite radio was launched in nearby city of Ahmedabad by WorldSpace in 2005. Households receive television through two main cable networks, InCablenet and Siti Cable, while DTH has little popularity in Vadodara. A network of optical fibre cables connects almost the entire city. The city's telephone services are provided by landline and mobile operators like BSNL, Reliance Infocomm, Airtel, Hutch, idea and Tata Indicom. Broadband Internet services are provided in most parts of the city by the telecom companies.

Trivia

• The famous American writer Mark Twain visited Baroda in the early 1900s.
• Baroda is mentioned as a city on the route to Bombay by train in Salman Rushdie's 'Midnight Children'.
• Edison, New Jersey, United States which has a large Gujarati and Indian population, is a sister city of Vadodara.
• Baroda, Michigan, United States was named after Baroda.

Places of interest

Main article: Vadodara: Places of Tourist Interest

• Laxmi Vilas Palace: It is one of the finest buildings in Vadodara. Maharaja Sayaji Rao III built it in the style of Indo-Sarcenic architecture for his residence. The construction of this palace was from 1878 to 1890 AD at a cost of about 60 lakhs. The interior of Laxmi Vilas Place in marble mosaic, fine stone, glass and wood is enchanting and has valuable furnishings. Maharaja's personal Museum is also housed in the same premises.

• Maharaja Fatehsingrao Gaekwad Museum: Located in the Laxmi Vilas Palace, it has a fabulous collection of Greek, Roman and European Sculptures and Art objects. There are original paintings of India's celebrated artist Raja Ravi Varma and some European oil paintings.

• Nazar Baug Palace: Situated in the old walled city near Mandvi Clock Tower, it is the oldest palace built in old classic style in the late 19th century. The royal family heirlooms are on display.

• Makarpura Palace: This lovely place was built by Maharaja Khanderao (1856-1870 AD) for his residence. There was a magnificent Deer Park adjoining the place. Sayaji Rao III added a new wing to it and renovated the palace, which was in ruins. This new wing was designed in the contemporary European style. An excellent garden and a summerhouse surrounds the palace. Now it is used as a training school of the Indian Air Force.

• Pratap Vilas Palace: Designed in renaissance architecture, present day it houses the Railway Staff College, the main training center of the Indian Railways. The college is equipped with a beautiful mini railway model room showing different types of railway operations including track signals.

• Kirti Mandir (Temple of Fame): It is a majestic monumental building, built by Maharaja Sayaji Rao III in 1936 AD to perpetuate the glorious memories of his ancestors, it has various rooms preserving the statues and the photographs of the Royal family. It is an 'E' shaped building with domes, terraces, balconies and a central sikhara of 33 meters height, built in the Hindu Style. It can be visited by everybody between 9 & 12 in the morning and 2.30 & 5.30 in the evening.

• Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda: The premier and outstanding Residential University campus was established in 1882 by Maharaja Sayaji Rao III. There are architecturally interesting buildings in the campus. The Central dome of the Faculty of Arts is 144 feet high and second biggest after Bijapur's Gol-Gumbaz. Various higher education disciplines are available to the students including Fine Arts. The University has a rich collection of books on almost all subjects and in various languages.

• Khanderao Market: This is a palatial building created by Sayaji Rao III in 1906 at a cost of three lakhs. It was then presented to the Municipal Corporation on the Silver Jubilee celebrations. There are many Municipal Offices housed in this building. The main entrance resembles in architecture that of the gate of Dabhoi fort.

• Mandvi & Walled City: Old walled city of Vadodara (fortified medieval town) was designed with four gates in each direction (North-Champaner Gate, South: Gendi Gate, East: Pani Gate & West: Laheripura Gate) and in the centre there is a Mandvi. The Mandvi gate was built during the Mughal period and was restored in 1739 AD by the Governor Malharao Maloji under the orders of Damji Rao || (1732-1768 A.D.) It is a square pavallion with three bold arched openings on each of the four sides. The upper stories erected on the flat roof of the Pavallion are of a later date and were probably constructed during the 19th Century. This pavallion might have remained as a market place (Mandvi) interspersed by two spacious streets dividing into four parts meeting in the centre. It is illuminated on special festivals. Laheripura Gate, located to the east of the district court Nyayamandir, is a picturesque Gate with three large arches. It is the western gateway to the old fortified Vadodara city. The gate was erected in the 16th century by Khalilkhan, the son and successor of Mehmud Begda the Sultan of Gujarat. The gate still has a magnificent look and is eye catching when illuminated on special festivals.

• Tambekarwada: Tambekarwada is situated on Pratap Road, Raopura area of the city. Bhau Tambekar was a Diwan or Minister of erstwhile Vadodara State to Ganpat Rao Gaekwad between 1849 and 1854. As the ruler was weak and not properly educated, the administration of the state was entirely in the hands of the Diwan. During the 17th and 18th centuries, Fresco paintings received a stimulus in Gujarat. Vadodara itself possesses probably the best specimens of mural paintings. They adorn the walls, Doors and ceillings of the building called Tmpbekarwads. It is a spacious four storeyed and constructed in oblong fashion. The paintings suffered due to careless hands who often whitewashed them. Most of these paintings were restored by the A.S.I. These are at present seen in the first and second floors. The wall paintings belonging to the first half on the 19th century are typical of the age and represent epic scenes in the life of the people including some of those of the westerness are also represented as in an air view. Hence that which is at a distant is placed above the nearer. The paintings speak well of the control the artist hand on his brush. Thesefrescoes on the whole are marked by gracefulness, proportionate delineation and color contrast. These painings are well looked after. The chemical treatments to these painting are periodically attended to by the Archaeological Survey of India. It is open to all during office hours on all week days.

• Nyay Mandir: This Temple of justice, is a magnificent and massive building built in Mixed Indo-Sarcenic and European style Byzantine architecture by Maharaja Sayaji Rao III. It is two storied with large courts and a fine central hall decorated with mosaic works. A beautiful marble statue of Chimnbhai, the first queen of Sayaji Rao III adorns the hall. The building is used at present as District Court.

• Sayaji Baug: Sayajirao III built Sayaji Baug in 1879, well known as Kamati Baug, in an area of about 113 acres, on the river Vishwamitri. The garden has a Zoo, a Museum and Picture Gallery, a small museum for Health and Hygience, a Floral clock and for children a Toy Train and Fun rides. It has well Maintained lawns, decorated with sculptures placed on pedestals. The park has fountains and trees, which makes it worchwhile for a visit. The park also for a planetarium. The park also has a BandStand.

-Floral Clock: The floral clock is first of its kind in the state. It consists of hour, minute and seconds hands that move on 20 feet diameter dial. The whole mechanism is underground giving the natural look.

-Baroda Museum & Picture Gallery: The famous museum was built in 1894 on the lines of Victoria & Albert and Science Museums of London. Major Mant in association with R.F. Chisholm who refined some of Mant's finest works to make genuine Indo-Sarcenic architecture designed the Building of this Museum. It preserves a rich collection of art, sculpture, ethnography & ethnology. Several of the paintings are not only original but masterpieces at the picture gallery. The picture gallery which offers an excellent collection of originals by famous British painters Turner and constable and many others attract tourists from every part of the country. The Egyptian mummy and skeleton of a blue whale are major attractions for those who visit the museum. Other treasure includes the famous Akota bronzes dating the 5th Century A.D., A collection of Mughal miniatures, a full fledged gallery of Tibetan Art and oils by several European masters.

-Sardar Patel Planetorium: Located in Sayaji Baug, the Planetarium, with a capacity of 200 seats, runs 3 shows everyday (except Thursday). The audio- visual shows are on the movement of celestial bodies in space, earth's planetary system and India's space program.

-Zoo: The Zoo is located inside the Sayaji Baug. Situated in the natural aromatic atmosphere the Zoo has several types of mammals, birds, reptiles, and alligators.

-Toy Train: The Toy Train is extremely popular amongst children. It runs on a small track width 10 inches covering a distance of 3.5 km. giving the entire view of the garden to the children. One of the popular song "Chakke pe Chakka, Chakke pe Gadi..." from film "Brahmachari Brahmachari (film)" is shot on this train.

• Aurobindo Ashram: An international monument of Shri Aurobindo. Relice of Shri Aurbindo are preserved here. It is open to all for meditation. It houses a library and study room. Maharshi Aurobindo Ghosh who one of the eminent freedom fighters and also a renowned philosopher resided in Vadodara from 1894 to 1906 as a private secretary to Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III. He also worked as vice principal and professor of English in Baroda college. His residence popularly known as Aurobindo Society is situated in Dandia Bazar area is the only national memorial. Yoga and meditation are taught here regularly. Surrounded by a nicely maincured garden this magnificent building provides an opportunity to pass a few minutes in solace. Various useful articles prepared at Pondichery are sold in an emporium on the ground floor. A nicely displayed small museum on the life of Shri Aurobindo's contribution can also be visited here.

• EME Temple: EME Temple or Dakshinamurty Temple is situated in the cantonment near Fatehgunj, beautiful & unique Shiva temple of E.M.E. school is a major attraction for both tourist and devotees. It is entirely built of aluminium sheet in 1966. It is managed and maintained by the "Jawans" of E.M.E.Unlike all other temples, this beautiful Shiva temple is made of alluminium and it is a place of religious armony. A cultural centre has also been developed by the E.M.E. around the temple here good sculptures of Gujarat, pavilions etc. are nicely preserved. Idols of Gods and Goddesses are beautifully placed on both the side walkways and they look very attractive when illuminated at night everyday. Visit to this temple is a must for everyone who visit Vadodara.

• Maqbara/Hajira: It was built in Safavi-Persian style. It is famous for its carved marble windows. Constructed in memory of Kutub-ud-din, the General of the Army of the Great King Akbar. It is one of the oldest Moghul monuments of the city.

• Other Interesting Places

-Includes Malls and Multiplexes (Vadodara Central, PVR Deep, Chandan, Inox, Westside)

-Gandhi Nagar Gruh - Town hall that also functions as a venue for cultural events

-Vadodara Central Library

• EXCURSIONS

• Ajwa & Nimeta: Situated 23 km from Vadodara, Ajwa is an idel place for weekend picnic, Sayaji Sarovar Lake, a major source of water supply for Vadodara, is situated here. It is formed by damming the Surya river and Vaghali Nala. Work on the scheme was started in 1885 and was completed in 1890. The Municipal Corporation has prepared a beautiful garden which resembles with the famous Vrundavan Garden of Mysore. Illuminated and musical fountains are operated on every Saturday, Sunday and Monday, which isa major attraction. The entire garden turns into a fairyland in the evening when the fountains are illuminated. Nimeta village has a water filter station. Nimeta has been developed by the Municipal Corporation into a beautiful garden and a guesthouse. It has become a popular picnic spot. for the residents of Vadodara.

• Dabhoi: An old town with Hira Bhagol gate is known for it's unique carved gate. 30 km. East of Vadodara, it has been described as the original center for Gujarati style of architecture.

• Pavagadh:

  

  Pavagadh

It is known as the birthplace of the famous musician Baiju. Pavagadh today has developed as a hill resort because of its scenic beauty and fresh atmosphere. The hill of pavagadh rises from Champaner in three stages. It has a ropeway to reach Kalika Mata's temple at the top. The plateau at an altitude of 490 meters is known as Machi Haveli.

• Champaner:

  

  Champaner

A UNESCO world heritage site: The hill has a historical town of Champaner near-by. The town has beautiful mosques Juma Masjid and Shah-ki-Masjid. It is 47 km north-west of Vadodara. The town of Champaner was subjugated by Sultan Mehmud Begara in 1484 and made it his new capital. Champaner lies at the foot of Pavagarh fort. The ruins of its mosques and palaces reflected in the lake are some of the most picturesque sights in India. Citadel of Mahmud Beghada is a perfect rectangle about three-quarters of a mile long and 280 yards broad, the citadel is enclosed by a wall of massive blocks of freestone, known as Mahmud Beghada's Wall. It is strengthened by bastions at regular intervals and beautified by small carved balconies in the best Islamic style. Jama Masjid, on account of its massive grandeur and perfect finish, the Jama Masjid is one of the grandest Islamic monuments in Western India. Nagina Masjid is also called the Jewel Mosque as it is built of pure white stone.

• Kayavarohan: Popularly known as Karvan. It is situated 30 km. on the National Highway No. 8. It is both, a place of pilgrimage and picnic. Archaeology department has excavated and preserved ancient sculptures and relics of the 2nd century. A beautiful Shiv Temple built recently houses an attractive idol of Lakulish.

• Sindhrot Nature Park: Gujarat Nature Conservation Society has developed a nature park amidstthe ravines of the river Mahi near Sindhrot about 13 km away from Vadodara. It provides an opportunity for the visitors to understand the nature. The place is visited by number of school children and nature lovers.

• Shoolpaneshwar Wildlife Sanctuary: Located in the Bharuch district, the Shoolpaneshwar sanctuary stretches to an area of 608 km². It boasts abundant plant and animal life. Here you can see leopards, sloth bears, sambar, wild dogs, hyena, barking deer and a variety of birds.

• Chandod: A religious place on the bank of river Narmada, about 60 km East of Vadodara.

• Galteshwar: A place situated on the riverbank of the Mahi is used mainly as a picnic spot. It is about 80 km from Vadodara.

• Dakor: Dakor is 60 km from Vadodara and easily accessible by rod. The place is famous for Ranchhodraiji temple an incarnation of Lord Krishna. Several thousands of devotees visit holy temple every month on Poonirma.

• Nareshwar: Situated on the bank of the river Narmada at a distance of 60 km from Vadodara. Nareshwar is a good place for those who wish to spend their time on the riverbanks. The place is also famous for the ashram of Shri Rang Avdhoot.

• Sankheda: Lying 60 km, east of Vadodara the village of Sankheda is known for its lacquer painted colourful wooden furniture and handicrafts heritage.

Photo gallery

• 
  Kala Godha
• 
  Nyay Mandir
• 
  Sarveshwar Mahadev at Sur Sagar
• 
  Laxmi Vilas Palace
• 
  Laxmi Vilas Palace Gate
• 
  Kirti Mandir
• 
  Faculty of Performing Arts, MSU
• 
  Raopura Tower
• 
  Vadodara Airport
• 
  Vadodra Junction
• 
  PVR Deep Multiplex
• Inox Multiplex
  Inox Multiplex

Further reading

• Altekar, Anant Sadashiv. A History of important ancient towns & cities in Gujarat & Kathiawad. ASIN B0008B2NGA.
• Forrest, George William. Cities of India. Adamant Media Corporation. ISBN 0-543-93823-9.

External links

• Vadodara Municipal Corporation
• Vadodara Collectorate
• Vadodara City Traffic Police
• Maharaja Sayajirao University Of Baroda
• Railway Staff College
• Vadodara at Wikimapia
• Vadodara on Panoramio
• Vadodara Travel Guide on Wikitravel
• Photogallery - Vadodara in olden days
• Photogallery - Present-day Vadodara