History Of Vadodara

 

Vadodara was one of the important cities in the Indian state of Gujarat which was formerly known as Baroda. It was one of the wealthiest princely states in British India and was under the control of Gaekwads for more than two centuries. Though the human inhabitation started in this region from 1000 B.C., the first note of history is available when the early traders settled down on the banks of the river Vishvamitri in 812 A.D.

 

Gupta dynasty came to power in 1297 defeating the Hindu rulers. They ruled the place until 5th century A.D. Chalukya Dynasty, Rashtrakutas and Solanki Rajputs ruled this region after that until it was snatched by the Delhi Sultans. When Solankis ruled Vadodara, it flourished in art, trade and literature.

 

The city was plundered by the sultan of Malwa in 1451. Muhammad Begda gave his son Prince Khalikhan as a jagir. He became the Sultan Muzaffar Shah II later and founded the new town of Quila-e-Daulatabad. He built the modern fort of Vadodara spreading over an area of 0.06 square kilometer. During the reign of the Mughals, they appointed the Babi Nawabs to collect the revenue. Slowly the region came under the influence of Marathas.

 

Peshwa of Gujarat appointed Pilaji Gaekwad for the local administration of Vadodara. He brought Songadh under his control in 1726 and his son Damajirao Gaekwad took over Vadodara in 1734. After the defeat of the Marathas in the Third Battle of Panipat in 1761 by the Afghans, the power of Peshwas weakened. This was a good chance for the Gaekwads who proclaimed their independence.

 

Pilaji Rao ruled Vadodara for eleven years from 1721 to 1732 and he was succeeded by Damaji rao in 1732 who continued his able administration until 1768. He was brilliant and able and strengthened his position in Gujarat. After the death of Damaji Rao, from the time period of 1768 to 1818 there were lots of internal conflicts and confusions and the powers of British East India Company increased over the region. The important rulers were Sayaji Rao, Ganpat Rao and Khande Rao.

 

To safeguard their interests, the rulers of Gaekwad entered into offensive and defensive alliance with the English East India Company in 1802, 1805 and 1817. The most notable king was Sayaji Rao II. During this tenure, he took efforts to modernize the city and introduced many facilities and promoted education and commerce.

 

Khande Rao ruled Vadodara from 1856 to 1870 and remained loyal to the British Government in India. The first railway line in the state from Miyagam to Dabhoi was constructed during his period. He was succeeded by Malhar Rao in 1870 who ruled for a short period of five years. His administration was not good and was deposed in 1875. He did not have an heir to the throne and so his wife Jamanabai adopted a son and named him Gopal Rao who was a descendent of the brother of Damaji Rao. Until Gopal Rao became a ruler at the age of 12, the administration was carried on by one of the ministers, Sir T. Madhav Rao.

Gopal Rao became Sayaji Rao II and ruled the region with the blessings of the British crown. He was under the tutelage of F.A.H. Elliot and he was given the full kingship on 28th December 1881 at his age of 18.

 

Sayaji Rao II made various reforms, implemented the land revenue system and regularized the taxes. He arranged the supply of electricity, started schools and cared for the people. Kalabhavan, the institute of technical education was started in 1890. The separate department for railways was started in 1908. He died in 1939. As he did not have an immediate heir, his grandson Pratap Singh Rao became the ruler on 7th February 1939.

 

After the independence of India, Baroda was merged with the Indian Union on 1st May 1949. It was renamed as Vadodara in 1974. The Vadodara photos and Vadodara videos would speak of its fame.

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