Baroda - Vadodhara

Vadodara, formerly known as Baroda, is the third largest and most populated city in the Indian State of Gujarat, after Ahmedabad and Surat. It is the administrative headquarters of Vadodara District. It is located on the banks of the Vishwamitri river, southeast of Ahmedabad, 139 km from state capital, Gandhinagar. Both the railway line and national highway connecting Delhi and Mumbai pass through Vadodara.

The golden 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 achievements in all fields. Maharaja Sayajirao III, who ruled from 1875 to 1939, did much to modernise Baroda, establishing compulsory primary education, a library system, a university, and model textile and tile factories, which helped to create Baroda's image as a modern industrial hub. Modern Vadodara is a great and fitting memorial to Maharaja Sayajirao. It was the dream of this able administrator to make Baroda an educational, industrial and commercial centre and he ensured that his dream would come true. For this reason, the city is also referred to as Sayaji Nagari(Sayaji's City)

Places of interest [edit]

Laxmi Vilas Palace

• Palaces: Laxmi Vilas Palace, Nazarbaug Palace, Makarpura Palace, Pratap Vilas Palace (now occupied by Railway Staff College)

• Buildings & Monuments: Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Kirti Mandir, Kirti Stambh, Nyay Mandir, Khanderao Market, Aurobindo Ashram, EME Temple (Dakshinamurty Temple), Hazira Maqbara,Kala Ghoda

• Museums & Gardens: Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum, Baroda Museum & Picture Gallery, Sayaji Baug

• Excursions: Ajwa & Nimeta, Dabhoi, Pavagadh, Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park,Kayavarohan, Dakor, Sankheda

• Multiplexes: Inox, Fame Cinema, PVR, Chandan, Cinemax, Mukta A2 Cinema, Cinemarc

Khanderi Underi

Khanderi is a fortified island 20 km off the coast of Mumbai. This along with its sister fort Underi formed the major fortification along the Mumbai coast. This was built by Shivaji in 1660 CE^[1] to keep a check on theSiddis at Murud-Janjira fort. However later on it lost its importance. Most of the fort is still intact the most prominent structure is a lighthouse built in 1837.^[2] It can only be accessed with the permission of theMumbai Port Trust. ^[3]

The Island Sea forts of  Khanderi and Underi are Located three kms. in the sea near Thal. The two early notices of Khanderi in 1538 of the Portuguese Viceroy Dorn Joao da Castro and 1674 of John Fryer, refer to it as ar uninhabited island.

In August 1679, Shivaji occupied the islands ant oversaw the construction of a fortification, wall. The British attempted to claim the islands 'for the Crown' and oust Shivaji failed miserably and this was followed by Janjira Siddi to unseat the Marathas but followed suit. All attempts by the British and the Siddi to capture Khanderi - Underi, forts did not fructify till 1750. but finally it was ceded to the British in 1818 "as part of the Peshwa territory". And currently the Khanderi Fort is under Bombay Port trust administration.Permission of the Bombay port trust is necessary to visit the fort by mans of o boat.

In 1687, Light House on the Island was built by the British which still stands. Even today, there is a temple Of Vetal and the Tomb of Daud Pir both of which are worshipped by the local fishermen community.

Khanderi is a fortified island 20 km off the coast of Mumbai. This along with its sister fort Underi formed the major fortification along the Mumbai coast. This was built by Shivaji in 1660 CE to keep a check on the Siddis at Murud-Janjira fort. However later on it lost its importance. Most of the fort is still intact the most prominent structure is a lighthouse built in 1837. It can only be accessed with the permission of the Bombay Port Trust.

Underi (also called Jaidurg) is a fortified island near the mouth of Mumbai harbour south of Prong's Lighthouse. It is a companion fort to Khanderi and currently lies in Raigad district, Maharashtra. These islands of Khanderi and Underi served as one of the landmarks for ships entering Mumbai harbour.[1] Underi is smaller than Khanderi and nearly circular. It was built by Kahim of the Siddis in 1680 CE.