About Vadodara / Baroda City
Baroda or Vadodara city of Gujarat is the third-largest city after Ahmedabad and Surat. The history of Baroda city is been traced to almost 2000 years. Also, the rich history of Baroda city found during the Mogul Empire around 1720. It is also known as the Cultural Capital of Gujarat. It is also one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the state where you can find people from every corner of the country. The primary language of the city is Gujarati but being a multicultural city, one can find people speaking languages of Hindi, Marathi, English, Marwari, and Sindhi as well. Being the highest percentage of the educated public leaving in Baroda city, one can find English as easily accepted language, it is also a passable language of Baroda.
Baroda / Vadodara City Image Gallery
The history of Vadodara / Baroda City Dates Back To The Early Ages Of Indian History, From 812 AD
Origin & Different Names of Baroda City: People mostly know Vadodara as the earlier name of the Baroda city. However, the history of the name is more interesting. Baroda city was earlier known to be Chandravati City, the name was given after the king of Baroda Raja Chandan. After that, it was named as Virvati and later as Vadpatra due to its high density of Banyan Trees at the banks of Vishwamitri River.
History of Baroda City: About Baroda city includes deep information about the history, culture, and diversity. Vadodara or Baroda city is a home of some of the exemplary collection of architecture. The modern city of Baroda is an excellent example of the dream city of Maratha Leader Sayaji Rao Gaekwad III who wants to establish it as an Indian destination for advanced education, industries, and commerce. There are plenty of architecture monuments build by Gaekwad government that today stand for the city’s icon and the biggest is The Lakshmi Vilas Palace.
The golden period of Baroda was registered during the rule of Great Ruler Maharaja Sayaji Rao Gaekwad III during the year of 1875. He was one of the best social reformers the country has seen during his era and started many reforms in his State of Baroda. To generate more employment in the State of Baroda, he started many textile mills and tiles factories. Also, he was the first to identify the benefits of modern education. As a result, he introduced the compulsory primary education for all and also Library Moment to emphasize the importance of education. The Maharaja Sayajirao University, popularly known as MS University in Baroda is also the result of the planning and implementation of efforts by The Gaekwad III Only.
Architectural Monuments of Baroda: You can certainly not miss the discussion about the architectural monuments of Baroda while writing any article related to the city and its history. During its long history spanning for over 2000 years, Baroda or the city of Vadodara has passed through several urban development and modernization phases. Architectural monuments of Baroda are built by different rulers and empires of Guptas, Solankis, Marathas, and Mughals, specially contributed by Gaekwad family.
The Kila – e – Daulatabad, the old city of Baroda is a stop of many historic shrines, tenements, Moghul bazaars, medieval structures, and religious places. This speaks how the powerful Moghul empire that rules the city of Baroda. The second-largest masonry dome in India is located in the heart of Baroda, inside the MS University. It was built by Maharaja Sayajirao III in 1881, and it is where the Faculty of Arts building located today. Another heritage marvel to see in Baroda is The Baroda Museum & Picture Gallery. It has beautifully designed walls. The museum of Baroda displays European paintings from some of the artists like George Romney and Sir Joshua Reynolds and Dutch artist Sir Peter Lely. Also, it has artwork from Hindu Illustrations, Sculpture, Folk Art and Ethnography. Baroda also has an architecture that is inspired by pre-medieval European design, The Kothi Building. This is where the administration of the Baroda Collectorate office is located. Known as Temple of Fame, The Kirti Mandir is one of the finest contributions from the Gaekwad family to the city of Baroda. The hint of Indo – Saracenic Architecture is visible into Sayajirao Gaekwad hospital, which was built in the year of 1886. Another monument is Mandvi Gate, which remains the powerful testimony of the Mughal era in Baroda.
Things to See & Do In Baroda
There are many things to see and do in Baroda like visiting historical monuments and observe architectural beauty, see some of the UNESCO World Heritage sites around the city in a one day picnic from Baroda, enjoy street food; especially Sev Usal and Misal Pav, do some street shopping and more. Some of the top things to do and see and Vadodara are places like Laxmi Vilas Palace, Kirti Mandir – Visit This Auspicious Temple, Nazar Baug Palace, The Sursagar Lake, Tambekar Wada Townhouse, Sayaji Gardens, Ajwa Nimeta Garden, Vadodara Museum And Picture Gallery, BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Maharaja Sayajirao University, Khanderao Market, etc.
Places to Visit In Baroda
There are many places to visit in Baroda including historical places, shipping malls, gardens and lakes, religious places, etc. some of the top places to visit in Baroda are Laxmi Vilas Palace, Vadodara Central Bus Station, Sursagar Lake, Sayaji Baug, Maharaja, Sayajirao University of Baroda, Gandhi Nagar Gruh Town Hall, Nyaya Mandir, Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum, Inorbit Mall, Ajwa Nimeta Garden, Vadodara Museum and Picture Gallery, Nazarbaug Palace, Kirti Mandir, Vadodara, Maharaja Sayajirao University, BAPS Shree Swaminarayan Temple - Atladara, EME Temple, ISKCON Baroda, and Sardar Patel Planetarium.
Shopping In Baroda
You tour to Baroda will remain incomplete if you miss to explore some of the most happening places of shopping in Baroda. Shopping in Baroda is exciting and a little different from some of the other cities of Gujarat. On the one hand, Baroda city has some of the most impressive malls for shopping and entertainment, while the other hand it has street shopping destinations as well. This street shopping in Baroda is famous for handmade apparel, handicraft and handloom materials, wooden furniture, ethnic wear, stylish footwear, hand-spun cotton, traditional jewelry and more. These local shopping destinations in Baroda city are Raopura, Mandvi, Teen Darwaza, Khadi Bhandar Centre, Mandir Bazaar and more. Also, the National Plaza and Alkapuri Arcade is a place for some contemporary fashion materials. Vadodara also has some of the modern shopping destinations like Inorbit Mall, Seven Seas Mall, Eva – The Mall, Centre Square, and Vadodara Central. These are the frequently visited place for the urban class population of the city.
The golden period of Baroda was registered during the rule of Great Ruler Maharaja Sayaji Rao Gaekwad III during the year of 1875. He was one of the best social reformers the country has seen.
Food In Baroda
The city of Baroda is great for all types of Gujarati cousins. Also, it serves some of the best Marathi cuisines in the state of Gujarat. Street food joints in Baroda are more famous for quick bites and other Gujarati recipes. Despite being the coastal state and having the longest sea-lines in the country, Gujarat has mostly vegetarian preferences for all types of food. On your visit to Baroda city, try some authentic Gujarati food. The most famous food of Baroda is Sev Usal & Misal Pav. And some more items famous in Baroda are Vada Pav & Dabeli, Local Farsan / Namkeen, Poha, Kachori, Lassi, Faluda, Kulfi, Sandwiches, etc. Shree Jagdish Farsan from Baroda is having the international identity for its quality of snacks and sweets.
Places To Visit Around Baroda
There are many places to visit around Baroda, ideally for one day picnic. Which allows us to drive to and from Baroda in a one day drive. These places are ideal for family picnic spots. Some of them are Champaner – Pavagadh Archaeological Park, Jambughoda Wildlife Sanctuary, Ajwa Water Park, Dakor Temple, Zarwani Waterfall - one-day picnic spot, Surya Narayan Temple - Jambubet, Kabirwad – The Ancient Banyan Forest, Hazira Maqbara - Danteshwar, Hathni Waterfalls – The 100m High Waterfall.
Baroda Nightlife
Gujarat being the dry state there is no nightlife for pub and bar lovers in Baroda. However, people of Baroda do enjoy the nightlife in their ways. Multiple food joints only operates at the night, famously called Ratri Bazaar. Which do offers the best of local and gourmet cousins with lip-smacking delicacy. And there are some shopping streets as well that do serve the customers at night for buying handicrafts and handloom items. Also, you can have a walk around the famous streets of the city as there is less pollution and ample greenery in the city to offer you fresh air. Shopping malls and theatres do operate till late at night.
Festivals In Baroda
Baroda is often known as the “Sanskari Nagri” or “Cultural Capital” of Gujarat. There are many festivals and celebrations you can take part in all year round. Most famous of the Baroda festival is Navratri, the longest dance festival celebrated in Gujarat. Also, people here in Baroda celebrate other festivals like Holi, Diwali, Christmas, and Eid as well. You will get plenty of choices in food and shopping around the festival period in Baroda.
Education In Baroda
Education in Baroda city is amongst the best in the state. Also, the MS University in Baroda is counted amongst the finest universities in the country. The compulsory education rule imposed by the Gaekwad government plays an important role in uplifting the social and economic condition of the city. Vadodara also homes the oldest and one of the finest English Medium University in Gujarat. Now the city is smartly moving towards the cluster of finest private educational institutions for both at schooling and university levels. The knowledge capital of Gujarat, Baroda is also going to host country’s first Railway University spread across 100 acres of campus. The city of Baroda also playing an important role in developing Gujarat’s Education Corridor spread across Gandhinagar-Ahmedabad-Baroda.
Industries In Baroda
Baroda city is largely developed and contributes at a higher level into the economy of Gujarat. The growth of the trade, industries, and commerce ranges from heavy industries, electronics, and communication, electrical equipment, information technology, chemicals, pharmaceuticals and more. Thanks to the Gaekwad rule, the first bank of the city Bank of Baroda was established in the early 20th century and today it is one of the largest PSU banks in India. Some of the largest corporates of the Baroda city are Reliance Industries, Indian Petrochemicals Ltd., Alembic Pharmaceuticals, Gujarat Dyestuff, ONGC, Gujarat Alkalis, Gujarat State Fertilizer Corporation, Gujarat Industries Power Company, etc.
A day spent in Baroda means taking a break from the busy Gujarati schedule. Located on the banks of Vishwamitri River, Baroda hosts several beautiful gardens, museums, cultural and art galleries, and iconic monuments. Baroda succeed to preserve the heritage of Gujarat and at a certain level of Maharashtra too.