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PALACE OF VADODARA

Vadodara formerly known as Baroda is the 3rd largest and most populated city in state of Gujarat of India. Farzand-i-Khas-i-Daulat-i-Inglishia, Shrimant Maharaja Sir, Sena Khas Khel Shamsher Bahadur Maharaja Gaekwad of Baroda GCSI, GCIE, KIH  who ruled for 1875-1939 was the adopted son of Queen Jamnabai and Kashirao Gaekwad, has constructed "The Laxmi Vilas Palace", naming it after his first wife. He has brought about many reforms in education, health and administration. Maharaja was one of the few princes who got a 21 gun salute.

The city was ruled over a long time by many Sultans, until they were easily thrown away by the Mughal  emperors. The Mughals at that time was facing the  biggest problem of the mighty Marathas who slowly but eventually took over the whole region. The city became the capital of the Maratha Maharaj Gaekwad Sayaji Rao III , a most able ruler, made many public and bureaucratic improvements in the region. He has appointed an English Resident to the Court of Baroda, which shows that the ruler had a good equation with the British.

Although the British had a major influence on the region, still Baroda remained a princely state until Independence. It is very obvious that the wealth of the family is legendary, and it shows in the works of art built in around 750 acres, the Palace is 4 times larger than the Buckingham Palace in UK. Designed by British Architects, Major Charles Mount in the Indo-Gothic style, the work started in 1878 and was completed in 1890,it took nearly 12 years of hard work to complete the construction of this such a beautiful Place. The royal family, under the current Maharaja Ranjit Singh Gaekwad still resides there.