Vatapadraka – Daulatabad – Badode – Baroda to present day ‘Vadodara

Vadodara was formerly a capital of princely Gaekwad state which is known to have a revolutionary and tumultuous past. The name ‘Vadodara’ has been derived from the word called ‘Vad’ which means banyan tree. The city is honoured by this name because of vast profusion of banyan trees. Due to the presence of several ruling dynasties in the city like Gujarati Sultanate rulers, the Mughals, the Maratha Gaekwads and the British, the city is left with their imprints on the architectural and cultural development of the city. And the city is still flourishing with its esteemed legacy!
Vadodara’s past is quite intriguing to know as it is rich with history. The earliest settlement in the present day city dates 2000 years back. It was a riverine settlement on the banks of Vishwamitri River (3rd BC to 500 AD) which was then called as Anakotakka, presently known as Akota. Later Ankotakka developed into the Bhimnath Temple complex in Sayajigunj and Vatapatraka developed into present-day Kothi area as an eastern suburb on higher elevation. Many magnificent hordes of Akota Bronzes (currently residing at Baroda Museum) were excavated by Archaeologists which are immaculate historical evidence of the city’s vibrant past. Due to the frequent flooding of Vishwamitri which is in close proximity to Akota, the area shrank its importance which gave rise and strength to Vatapadraka, lying at higher elevation. Soon this elevated area became the centre of large urban agglomeration of heavy commerce with Kothi at its centre.

When Gujarati Sultanate Rulers took over the Gujarat territory, Mehmud Begda shifted its capital from Ahmedabad to Champaner while Vatapadraka posed as its line of defence from invaders in the south. This resulted in the building of Killa-e-Daulatabad, also known as the walled city with Mandvi pavilion as its centre. The city is guarded by prominent four strong and high walled Darwazas- – Leheripura Gate, Champaner Gate, Panigate and Gendigate.
Daulatabad was built by the son of Mahmud Begda, Sultan Muzaffar who had established Champaner as the capital of Gujarat in 1482. It soon developed into a fortified walled city which further diverted from Vatapadraka with the blessings of the Gujarat Sultanate. Because of which a lot many people got attracted and called this place their home.
Vadodara region was annexed by the Marathas in 1720. Because of the huge and hoary clusters of banyan trees, the Gaekwads named the city ‘Badode’ which means a banyan cluster in Marathi. Apart from it, interestingly, the city also had a vast number of sandalwood trees, which lead to it once being called Chandanvati.

Renowned Pilajirao and Damajirao Gaekwad are believed to have stayed for a while at the Muslim Governor’s citadel, called the Bhadra Palace before moving to their own place, the Sarkarwada. Presently, it is a Sayaji School in Mandvi near Tankshal. The beautiful wooden remnants of Sarkarwada still exist while the wondrous European Neo-Classical Nazar Baug Palace is unfortunately in the shambles of dust.

When the British came to Badode in 1802, they anglicized it to ‘Baroda’. Due to the first presence of British Residency and Military Contingent within the walls of Kothi, a lot of its prominence and influence is seen in the design of the present Kothi Kacheri and the Records Tower complex opposite to it. By the year 1835, the Residency moved from Kothi to the northwest of the city which is a present-day’s MSU’s office complex. It was a segregated settlement with a cantonment, called the Residency Bungalow. It is a fine architectural piece of Neo-Classical style surrounded by the Camp which is now a present-day Fatehgunj area. The establishment of the Railways in Baroda in 1859 laid the foundation to modern industrialization. Because of which Civil Station came up between the British Settlement and Baroda city.
The period between 1860 and 1940 was an epoch of phenomenal and unprecedented development for Vadodara when Sayajirao III was crowned the Maharaja in 1875. The Baroda College building which is presently the Faculty of Arts was planned along the road to connect the Station in 1879 and the vast Kamatibaug, now known as Sayaji Baug, along the road to the Camp. One of the most impressive and dynamic Dewans of Baroda State was Sir T Madhav Rao who engaged Robert Chisolm for the design of institutional buildings in 1880. The first institutional building was designed by him in 1886 which was the Anglo-Vernacular School for Boys and presently it is the Faculty of Performing Arts/Music College. Between, 1885-90, an artificial water reservoir was constructed 16 miles away with a filtration plant halfway at Nimeta as a part of the comprehensive waterworks scheme to ensure safe drinking water for Vadodara’s citizens. To ensure the legal system of justice, Nyaya Mandir was designed and built between 1892-96. Adding to that, the magnificent Laxmi Vilas Palace was constructed in a traditional European style far away from the hustle bustle of the town to maintain solitude and silence. It is still the home of the royal Gaekwads.
Vadodara has successfully carved its niche as a thriving cosmopolitan and a two-tier city of Gujarat. And the Indian Government has also recognised it among the fast-growing cities and has selected it for ‘Smart-City’ project.
Since the time immemorial, Vadodara has faced a lot of ups and downs but has emerged a victor by holding on to its residents and bringing togetherness by setting an example of a perfect city!