States > Gujarat
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Two thousand years back, there was a small town named as Ankottak on the western bank of river Visvamitri. In 600 A.D. severe floods in Vishvamitri river forced the inhabitants of Ankottak to move to the eastern side of river to a village known as Vatpatrak. Latter on the Village name was changed into Vadapadraka, which was now developed as Vadodara. In Tenth Century Vadapadraka replaced Ankottak as the main town.
Once this city was named as Chandanavati after its ruler Raja Chandan of Dor tribe of Rajputs. It was also called as Virakshetra or land of Warriors. Vadapatrak originally came from the Sanskrit word Vatdor,which means in the heart of Banyan tree.English traveller used to call it as Brodera,which latter pronounced as Baroda.But finally in 1974, it has officially named as Vadodara.
History of Vadodara, Gujarat
Baroda has rich historical background. The first noted history of the city was of the early trader settlers who settled in the region in 812 A.D. Followed by the Hindu rulers, who ruled till the year1297. Before Vadodara coming in the hand of Mughal emperors, Gupta dynasty, Chalukya dynasty, Solanki dynasty and Muslim Sultans ruled over it. Mughal Emporer`s main problems were the Marathas, who slowly but eventually took over the region. Then it became the capital of Maratha Gaekwads. The Britishers had a major influence in this region but Vadodara remained a princely state till independence and joined the republic of India in 1947. Baroda was merged into Bombay states shortly after Independence, which was divided into the states of Gujrat and Maharashtra in the year 1960. After the division, Vadodara came in the part of Gujrat state.
Geography of Vadodara, Gujarat
Baroda is located at 22.30 N and 73.19 E in western India at an elevation of 39 meters. It is the 18th largest city of India with an area of 148.95 Km square and a population of 1.6 millions. The Baroda district is bounded by Panchmahal and Dahod districts to the north, Anand and Kheda district to the west, bharuch and narmada distict to the south and the state of madhya Pradesh to the east. The tallest point of the region is the hill of Pavagadh.
The city sits on the bank of Vishvamitri river. The south and north areas of Vadodara is bounded by Narmada and Mahi river. According to the Bureau of Indian Standards, the town falls under seismic zone-III, in a scale of I to V.
There are mainly three seasons , summer, winter and monsoon realized in Baroda. Most of the time the weather of the city is dry. The average summer temperature is maximum36C and minimum23C. During winter the average of maximum is 30C and minimum is 15C.The average rainfall is 931.9mm.
Visiting places in Baroda, Gujarat
Baroda is famous for its Culture and places. The following places are the major tourist places .
Aurobindo Society
Relics of Shri Aurobindo are present in Aurobindo society. It is open to all for meditation. The society contains Library, study room and sales emporium.
Baroda Museum and Picture Gallery
Baroda Museum has impressive collection of art and archeology, natural history, geology and ethnology. It has an excellent collection of arts, paintings, Mughal miniatures and palm-leaf manuscripts etc.
Laxmi Vilas palaceLaxmi Vilas palace
This palace was designed in Indo-Saracenic style and was built by King Sayaji Rao. Started in the year 1878 and completed in the year 1890. It is the residence of Royal family.
Darbar Hall
Darbar Hall in Laxmi Vilas Palace was the courtroom of Gaekwads. Here musicians performed and entertained the royal family.
EME Temple
EME temple is a unique design of geodesic structure covered with aluminum sheets. This temple is taking care by army authority.
Khanderao Market
This is palatial building erected by the king Sayaji Rao III in the year 1906. It was presented by him as a gift to the Municipality to mark the silver jubilee of his administration.
Tourist Attractions Places ( 1-5 of 10 )
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Places to Visit in Gujarat