History of Baroda :

Historical and archaeological findings date this place back to the 9th century when it was a small town called Ankottaka (present Akota) located on the right bank of the river Vishvamitri. Being flood-prone, Vadapadraka became the administrative headquarters. Except for a short break when the Marathas captured power in 1732 from the Mughals, Baroda continued to be in the hands of the Gaekwads from 1734 to 1949.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 achievement. Post-Independence Baroda is synonymous with education and arts. The industrialization of Baroda has attracted entrepreneurs not only from Baroda but also from all over Gujarat and India

Attractions in Baroda :

Baroda is known for its palaces, museums and parks. The Sayaji Bagh is a big well-laid park and an important tourist attraction. Within this park, one can see the Baroda Museum and Art Gallery, which has a good collection of artifacts, Indian sculptures and ancient manuscripts, Egyptian antiquities, Mughal miniatures and some works of European masters. The Sayaji Bagh also has a planetarium and a small zoo within it. Maharaj Fateh Singh Museum, located in the southern part of the city, houses the royal collection of copies of European masters, Far Eastern Art and contemporary Indian works. The Laxmi Vilas Palace, north of the Maharaj Fateh Singh Museum, has a good collection of artifacts. The Naulakhi Well, a fine example of a step well or baoli, and the EME temple, a unique temple with an aluminum roof, are worth paying a visit.

Excursions around Baroda :

Excursions can be made from Baroda to the town of Champaner (Pavagarh) is 47 km northeast of Baroda, famous for Jama Masjid, which is one of the finest mosques to be found in the state of Gujarat. It also has a medieval fort near it. The town of Dabohi is 29 km southeast of Baroda and is known for its 13th-century Hindu military architecture. Dakor, 50 km from Baroda and halfway to Ahmedabad, is famous for its Temple of Ranchodrai and is a sacred place for the followers of Lord Krishna. Ahmedabad city, 100 km north of Baroda is known for its rich past and its association with Mahatma Gandhi. Famous for its mosques and temples, the city offers to the traveler a unique style of architecture, which is a blend of Hindu and Islamic styles known as the Indo-Saracenic style of architecture. The town of Anand, on the way to Ahmedabad from Baroda, is the hometown of the White Revolution and is famous for its Amul range of dairy products. Bharuch, which is located on the main railway line between Baroda and Surat city, is famous for its monuments and the River Narmada that flows through it.

How to Reach Baroda :

by Air: Baroda Airport is linked with all the major cities of India like Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad and Pune.The airport is 8kms northeast of the Railway Station.

by Rail: Baroda situated on the mail rail link between Mumbai and Delhi. All super fast and express trains halt at Baroda (Vadodara) Railway station.

by Road: Baroda is on the National Highway No.8, which connects Delhi to Mumbai via Jaipur, Udaipur, Ahmedabad and Baroda. Ahmedabad, the nearest major city is 112 kms south of Baroda and Mumbai lies 419 kms north of Baroda.