Sambodhi 2011 Vol 34

Author(s): Jitendra B Shah
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 59

49
Vol.XXXIV, 2011
Origin and development of Vadodara was to keep an eye on the Chauhans of Champaner, who were defeated by the Sultan. The square fort was approx. 0.6 sq. kms. On the basis of the Silpa Sastras this could be considered as middle sized Hemkuta Nagar. The fort was constructed by lime and bricks, on a higher elevation. By blocking the water streams on the north and the east, the Sultan created a series of lakes, which provided water supply to the fort. Gradually, more and more people started residing in the fort area. Similarly the population of Vadodara also got diverted to the fort area. At that time the fort was known as Killa-E-Daulatabad. However even today it is popularly known as the FORT OF BARODA.
Sultan Muzaffar fought against the Mughal Emperors. On account of this Kutbuddin died in 1583 A. D. The newly established fortified Baroda had four gates - Pani Darwaja, Gendi Darwaja, Lehripura Darwaja and Champaner Darwaja. By the end of the 16th century the fort area; due to rapid population growth turned out insufficient to accommodate such huge population. Therefore the fort was extended in the 17th century. However the city's centre during the 16th century was the fort area.
And by the end of 17th century Baroda expanded with the fort area as its nucleus. In the 1732 A. D., there was a change in the power. Then the Maratha power appeared into the scenario and Baroda became the throne of the Gaekwad power. Alongwith the Maratha power their people migrated from Maharashtra towards Baroda. And this gave rise to the setting up of Residences, Religious structures (temples), accommodation of the horses and elephants of the Gaekwad army, etc.
The important development of this time was the 'Sur Sagar' Lake, which was named after 'Sureshwar Desai' and was built in 1757. This was developed in order to provide increased water supply to the western part of the city. Siddhanath Mahadeva temple and Siddhanath Lake, Khandoba temple and its lake are important in the development of Baroda. In the 19th century • Udaynarayana temple and Suryanarayana temple in the Raopura were developed during this period. Similarly to the north of Baroda, Thekarnath, Jangaleshwar; to the south Ramnath, Sindhwayi and Danteshwar were either developed or restored. In the 18th cent. a graveyard of the Arabs also developed. In the Fatehpura area the Hathikhana and Genda Faliya were developed. In the
beginning of the 19th century, a rapid growth took place in Baroda. The Arab army · was replaced by the soldiers of the English Company and on account of this change
in 1802; the Anandpura area towards the Kothi became the campsite for the English. Population in the Raopura and Babajipura area increased.
The population in the Wadas of the Wadi area also increased. Now the Gymnasiums were established in Baroda. In the mid - 19th century, English residencies were established in the Kothi Area. In 1835 their residency was brought to Fatehgunj Area and along with it setting up of Christian Churches, Graveyards, etc. was done. The new development near the Residency was the Railway (1859 A.D). During the time of Khanderao Gaekwad, Baroda was connected to Bombay