The Vadodara State, administered from its capital city of Vadodara had a peculiar political and geographical identity. The state with an area 8,135 sq miles and population of 20 lakhs was considered as a small state compared to Mysore, three times its size and to Hyderabad, nine times its size. But the state was highly urbanized with 40 percent of its population residing in the cities and towns compared to only 20 percent for the British India. The state consisted of four isolated division each of which was interlaced in the most intricate fashion with the British Territory and/or other native states. The four divisions were: Khadi, Vadodara, Navsari, all in Gujarat and Amreli in Kathiawar.

In May 1920, Okhamandal subdiivsion was seperated out from Amreli Division and became an administrative subdivision directly under the state. The diivsion is known as Subah or Prant, while the subdivision is known as Taluka. At Vadodara, the administration of Subahs were looked after by the Revenue Minister also known as Sar-Subah under the guidance of the Dewan (akin to the Prime Minister) and the Maharaja or the Hazoor. The native state government as well as the head of the state is often referred as Darbar. The in-charge of the division was known simply as the Subah, while that of a subdivision was Talukadar. In the Administration of a native state, the resident and the Dewan played the vital role. Vadodara had the fortune of having some of the most competent persons as Dewans in the long reign of Sayajirao-III. This helped in the overall development of the State and of the Railways in particular.

Baroda was the capital of the princely Gaekwad state prior to independence. Today Vadodara is a pleasant, medium-sized city with some interesting museums and art galleries and a fine park. The city’s Fine art College attracts students from around the country and abroad.

Very often known as the cultural capital of Gujarat. Vadodara may not have had a colorful history like Calcutta or Bombay or seen the great empire builders like Delhi. But then, unlike these cities, its history begins somewhere in the mid-Pleistocene period. There are evidences of the existence of the early man of old Stone Age at the Maui River valley at a number of sites within 10 to 20 kms to the northeast of the present Vadodara.

Around the beginning of the Christian era small township seems to have developed on the right bank of the river Vishwamitri. It came to be known as Ankotakka (present day Akota). The township of Ankotakka developed during the rule of the Guptas and Vallabhis. But a severe flood in 600 AD forced the inhabitants to abandon the township and move away to the East of Ankotakka. This formed the nucleus of a new township name Vadpadraka possible due to the profuse presence of banyan trees, which are comparatively many even today. The development of Vadodara was rapid from 11th Century AD to 14th Century AD in 1500 AD, when Vadodara was given as Jagir by Muhamad Begda, the Sultan of Gujarat, to his son prince Khail Khan, he built the modern fort of Vadodara. The fort was strong and well built and hence considering the safety aspect, the inhabitants of nearby villages came and settled here. Several lakes were then constructed. Within the next two centuries, the area adjacent to the fort also became inhabited. Vadodara has later inhabited during the Maratha period as indicated by the coins and pottery.

For the people of Vadodara today, its history begins with Sayajirao III. Vadodara’s identity can be summed up in its composite culture, catholicity of outlook and general enlightenment. There is a stamp of one person on Vadodara’s identity and that person is Sayajirao III. You cannot speak of any aspect of this city without reference to him. Vadodara’s identity is Sayajirao’s contribution.

Khanderao’s death on November 28th, 1870, left the succession in an ambiguous position. His younger brother Malharrao succeeded him. He had a lot of difficulty with the Residents, Colonel Robert Phayre in 1873. So strained became the relations between the Residency and the palace, that on November 2nd, 1874, Malharrao addressed a letter to the Government of India petitioning that Phayre should be withdrawn from Vadodara. Phayre was replaced by Colonel Sir Lewis Pelley, with the title of special commissioner and agent to the Governor General. Malharrao also phased the brunt a little later. He was deposed on April 19th, 1875. For a brief spell, the state came under the British Rule, Maharani Jamnabai, the widow of Khanderao now cliamed her right for adopting an heir. This was granted.

With the advice of Sir T Madhavrao, the Dewan of Vadodara, Maharani Jamnabai selected a peasant boy, Gopalrao, born on 17 March, 1863, to be the heir of the Vadodara State. In the simple ceremony, Gopalrao now renamed as Sayajirao-III was invested as Maharajja of Vadodara on May 27th, 1875. Regency continued with Sir T Madhavrao for the net five years. Sayajirao had a very long reign. He was succeeded by his grandson Pratapsinghrao in 1939, after ruling the Vadodara State for 64 years.

Under Sayajirao’s rule Vadodara flourished so much so that it ranked second only to Nizam of Hyderabad among the princely states in the country. He introduced manifold reforms, which included arrangement of electricity supply in Vadodara State, mechanization of manufacturing units, co-operative movements free and compulsory education and introduction of prohibition.
Vadodara now on the cultural, educational and economic map of the country is largely owing to Sayajirao III. Whatever heritage this city has is the legacy of this great ruler who molded the character of his subjects. After an illustrious life spanning over 76 eventful years this great hero, who was adopted at the age of 12 years by the widow of the last ruler of the original Gaekwad family Maharaja Khanderao, went for his heavenly abode in 1939.

Vadodara has witnessed establishment of medium and large scale industries. With great strides in economic field, the city has giant industrial complexes and public undertakings like Gujarat Refinery, Indian Petrochemicals, Gujarat State Fertilizers, Heavy Water Project, Oil & Natural Gas Commission etc. Today the city is situated on both the banks of the river Vishwamitri and is famous as cultural capital of Gujarat and center of educational activities. The population of the city is approx 1.9 million.

Of special interest is the Pratap Vilas Palace, which has a miniature railway model room, complete with all railway operations including signalling. The city’s Fine Arts College is exceptional and attracts students from all over India and abroad.

The Ancient history of Vadodara is shrouded in darkness. A copper plate of king Karakka of Gujarat (c 812 AD) records the grant of a village named Vatapadraka, also known as Vatapura, which can be identified with the modern Vadodara from the names of other villages bounding it. 

Vadodara remained under the Muslim rulers of Ahmedabad for a long time. In 1723, it was wrested by Pilaji Gaekwad and it became the Capital of Gaekwad’s territory. Damaji-II (1732 – 1768), spread the way of his family over the whole of Gujarat and shook off the fetters of the Peshwa. His successor Fatehsingh opposed the Peshwa and started operation in Kathiawad. Some weak princes succeeded him. By the treaty of 1802, Vadodara became a subservient state of British India. In the early 19th century, the British who had replaced the Peshwa, obtained portions of the Vadodara State Territory, on two occasions, to subsidize their troops. At this time the State boundaries were more plainly demarcated as a result of treaties (of 1802, 1805 and 1817), which effected the exchange of the territories and that explains the Vadodara State lacking a Geographical Unity.

Major industry

• Aastha Inc
• Abovac
• Baroda Earth Pvt Ltd
• Baroda Links
• Baroda Real Estate
• Coorg Networks
• Dalal Chemicals
• Dots and Coms 
• Excellent Engineering Corp 
• Gayatri Minerals & Chemicals
• Goldprocess.com
• Indian Home Products
• Inox India Ltd
• JK Florist
• Jimmy’s Value World
• Kalki Chemical Industries
• Meghraj Machines Pvt Ltd 
• Merabaroda.com
• Needsinfo Online Directory
• Neotech Equipments
• Patel Furnace & Forging Pvt Ltd 
• Pixel Planet
• Plastichemix Industries
• Prakash Infotech
• Q-Bal Telecom 
• RealEstateVadodara.Com 
• Reinhardt Roto-Machine 
• Rubamin Limited
• ShefJan Designs

Major Resellers

Saurabh Pathak
Amber Hardlabs Pvt Ltd
Gf-1, Emperor
Fatehpgunj
Vadodara
Tel: 786548/786549

Kr Sbedge
Aps Star Industries Ltd
Suessen Bus Stop Bombay Ahmedabad
National Highway #8
Vadodara
Tel: 642081

Hn Shankar
Dde Org Systems Ltd
Wadi Wadi
Dr Vkram Sarabhai Marg
Race Course
Vadodara
Tel: 381334/382039

Dinesh Patel
Di-Su System
01 Yogidhara Appt, 2 Nandanvan Soc
Alkapuri
Vadodara

Rakesh Dhuwad
Haricomp Systems
29 D Mangaltirth Soc
Nr Chankyapuri
New Sama Road
Vadodara
Tel: 0265-786528
E-Mail: Haricomp_Baroda@Yahoo.Com

Vikas Bhargava
Impulz Systems
416, Siddharth Rc Dutt Road
Rc Dutt Road
Vadodara
Tel: 0265-344542/323
E-Mail: Impulz@Zaverchand.Co.In

Kh Shah
Jyoti Ltd
Industrial Area
Vadodara
Tel: 380633 380627
Fax: 381871
E-Mail: Cmd.Jyoti@Sm3.Sprintrpg.Ems.Vsnl.Net.In

Dilip M Moholkar
Kavita Communication
B 174, Gayatri Kripa
Gidc Makarpura
Vadodara
Tel: 338165 642647
Fax: 656104

Sanjiv Bhandari
Micro World
23-A, Shrinagar Society
Productivity Road, Akota
Vadodara

Np Singh
Minicom Pvt Ltd
1, Ankur Apartment, Viswas Colony
Alkapuri
Vadodara

Dhaval G Naik
Omikron Systems
4/19 Ellora Park
Opp Indraprasth Race Course Circle N
Vadodara
Tel: 396494/398022
Fax: 396494/398022
E-Mail: Omikron@Wintnet.Online.Net

Vipul Jain
Power Caps Computers & Controls
302 B, Ramway Plaza
Jambubet Dandia Bazar
Vadodara
Tel: 421711
Fax: 421711

Yogesh R Thakkar
Rhythm Electronics
201/204 Monalisa Appt
Next To Kalyan Hotel Sysiignj
Vadodara
Tel: 361991 362471
Fax: 363831
E-Mail: Rhythm@Enfinet.Com

Kishav V Lodhia
Sony Peripherals
51, Viswas Colony
Subh Apts
Vadodara
Tel: 331465 325107
Fax: 338293
E-Mail: Kishanbodha@Yahoo.Com

Jayesh R Thakkar
Space Electronics
Samir, Kothi Road
Vadodara

Jj Thaker
Visiontech
301, Jaldhara Complex
Near Maneesha Corssing Pld Padra Road
Vadodara

Alex Baby
Xcort Micro Systems
#4, Yogisagar, 25 Urmi Society
Bpc Road
Vadodara

Dodia Chetan Sinh Ranvirsinh
Zen Information Systems
Dodia Bldg Nr A S Moters
Salatwada Naka
Vadodara
Tel: 427117

Pankit Patel
Comps Computer
27, Parshuram Nagar
Sayaji Gunj
Vadodara
Tel: 363241 362774
E-Mail: Compscomputer@Yahoo.Com

Shaikh
Rishabh Software Pvt Ltd
306/311, Gajanan Compled
Third Floor
Old Padra Road
Vadodara
Tel: 313056
Fax: 334644
E-Mail: Bhorucom@Yahoo.Com

Nilesh M Dani
Yonex Systems Pvt Ltd
“D/5, Vidhva Vihar Society”
Near Abhilasha Chhar Rasta
New Sama Road
Vadodara
Tel: 776406 772106

Rajesh Shah
Cliff’s Electronics
“333/334, Dr & Dr Bldg”
Gidc Makarpura
Vadodara
Tel: 641970
Fax: 641971

        
Hemant H Chaydhury
Dde Org Systems Ltd
“10-B, Sundram Society” V I P Road
Kareli Baug
Vadodara
Tel: 428662

P N Mukherji
Dde Org Systems Ltd
Wadi Wadi
Dr Vkram Sarabhai Marg
Race Course
Vadodara
Tel: 381334
Fax: 382029

Nilesh N Shah
\Sani Software Pvt Ltd
60 Sitram Complex
New Ipcl Road Subhanpura
Vadodara
Tel: 281952 283598
Fax: 281952
E-Mail: Sspi@Sspisoft.Com

Pradumansinh Rathod
Maega Computer Centre
Firdaus Apartment
Opp. Sadar Bazar
Fatehgunj Main Road
Vadodara
Tel: 265-323546 0

Pinakin G Joshi
P & S Computers Consultants
S-15 National Plaza
R.C. Dutt Road
Vadodara
Tel: 327549
Fax: 327540

Compulinks
“201, Ivory Terrace”
R C Dutt Road Alkapuri
Vadodara
Tel: “265-320620, 66171 (R) 327032” 0