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Maulik Hajarnis
SAMBODHI
Roman world. Ancient route way from Bharukachha (Bharuch) to Ujjain (M.P.) passes through Savli, Ajabpura, and Bank of Mahi River to Dungarpur and DahodJalat road to Ujjain is now proved. And Ankotaka was on this route of trade-commerce.
On account of urbanization process, centre was extended from Bhimanatha Mahadeva (Sayajigunj), Dhana Tekri, Akota village and to the western side developed towards housing board colony. Appromixately the area was from 1/2 km2 to 3/4 km2 of that town.?
Kstrapa, Gupta and Post Gupta bronzes of Akota (now housed in the Picture Gallery of Baroda Museum, Vadodara) are world known. Jain, Saiva and Sakta icons of stone are worthy to note from this place. Its brick houses and decorative clay vessels can also be compared with the objects obtained from contemporary towns / cities. Thus Ankotaka - Akota was flourished city of international standard prevailing at that time. It was first referred to in the copper-plate grant of A. D. 812 (Saka Samvat 734) as a district headquarter.
When Ankotaka - Akota developed and extended elsewhere in the form of Suburb, in this process of development a small village near and around the main town or city developed. Likewise Vatpadraka - Vadodara was also a small suburban village developed in the east of the Vishwamitri River. It was in existence not later than 5th cent. A. D. this was comparatively higher area suitable for human settlement. This was the area of Pahadi Nala, Bhukhi Nala and Dandiya Bazaar Nala of lower area. It was a small settlement upto 9th century because Vatpadraka was given in a gift as a Dharmakayabhumi to a Brahmin.
Around the present Medical College, Nurses Quarters and Narmada Bhavan area was the probable location of the Vatpadraka. The extent of this settlement was probably, in the east upto the Kothi mound near Jambu Bet, in the south near Kalabhuvan and Polo Ground and in the west upto the river Vishwamitri and Pahadi Nala. Right upto 10th Cent., Vatpadraka remained a small village. But thereafter gradually it developed. During the 11th century the development of Vadodara extended in the Kothi area upto the Salatvada. If the memorial stonePalia found lying in the Narmada Bhavan suggests the southern boundary of Vadodara in the 13th century A. D. This suggests that the Vatpadraka had grown larger than the Ankotaka - Akota. In the 14th century Khilajis invaded Baroda. But still the development continued. The Navalakhi Step well was erected by Muzaffar Shah in the 15th century. It line outs the southern boundary of Vadodara. The main population was concentrated in and around the Kothi Area. FORT OF BARODA
Sultan Mohammed Begda died in 1511 A. D. His son Khalil Khan succeeded him as the Sultan of Gujarat. He adopted Muzaffar title. He constructed the strong fort near Baroda. There used to be a constant struggle between Gujarat and Malwa. And due to this the fort was necessary. Another reason for erecting the fort
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