Home > Indian History > History of India > Princely State of Baroda
Princely State of Baroda
Princely State of Baroda was ruled by the Gaekwad dynasty from 1721 to 1949. Baroda was one of the wealthiest and largest princely states in India.

Share this Article:

Princely State of BarodaThe Princely State of Baroda was ruled since its formation in the year 1721 by the Gaekwad dynasty till the year 1949, when the princely state was acceded to the Union of India. The city of Baroda, presently known as Vadodara, served as the capital of the state. During the British rule in India, the Baroda Residency managed its relations with the British administration. Baroda was amongst the wealthiest and largest princely states in India which existed alongside British dominated India and lucratively earned from the developing cotton industry as well as cultivation of wheat, rice and sugar. During the period when the nation attained independence, the Maharaja Gaekwad of Baroda was among the only five Indian princes, including the Maharaja Scindia of Gwalior, the Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir state, the Maharaja of Mysore and the Nizam of Hyderabad, who were honoured with a 21 gun salute. On 1st May 1949, the princely state of Baroda was officially acceded to the Union of India, before which an interim government was established in the princely state.

History of Princely State of Baroda
The state of Baroda was founded in the year 1721 after Pilaji Gaekwad, the Maratha general, occupied Songadh from the Mughals. The British East India Company took control of most of the territories in Gujarat after the Second Anglo Maratha War from 1803 to 1805. But the Gaekwads of Baroda managed to maintain good relations with the British administration and entered into a subsidiary alliance that accepted the suzerainty and control of the British over the external affairs of the state in return for retaining internal autonomy.

During the beginning of the 20th century, the associations of the 4 major princely states, Baroda, Jammu and Kashmir, Mysore and Hyderabad, with the British Government of India were administered by a British Resident which was under the direct control of the Governor General of India. According the 1911 census of India, the princely state of Baroda had a total population of 2,032,798 people and the state covered a total area of 8,182 sq km. Later in the year 1930, the Baroda Residency was united with the princely states that were nearby the northern part of the Bombay Presidency, which formed the Baroda, Western States and Gujarat Agency. On October 27, 1940, an improved State Legislative Assembly called Baroda State Praja Mandal was formed and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was appointed as the President. The Baroda State Railway was unified with the Bombay, Baroda and Central India Railway in the year 1949, after the nation became independent.

The princely state of Baroda, which was the 3rd largest princely state during the Brittish rule in India, was officially acceded to the Union of India on 1st May 1949. In the beginning, Baroda was combined with the Bombay state, but later on 1st May 1960, with the formation of the states of Maharashtra and Gujarat, Baroda was merged with Gujarat.

Rulers of Princely State of Baroda
The chronology of the rulers of the Princely State of Baroda is mention below-
* Pilaji Rao Gaekwad (1721- 1732)
* Damaji Rao Gaekwad (1732- 1768)
* Govind Rao Gaekwad (1768- 1771)
* Sayaji Rao Gaekwad I (1771- 1789)
* Manaji Rao Gaekwad (1789- 1793)
* Govind Rao Gaekwad (1793- 1800)
* Anand Rao Gaekwad (1800- 1818)
* Sayaji Rao II Gaekwad (1818- 1847)
* Ganpat Rao Gaekwad (1847- 1856)
* Khande Rao Gaekwad (1856- 1870)
* Malhar Rao Gaekwad (1870- 1875)
* Maharaja Sayaji Rao Gaekwad III (1875- 1939)
* Pratap Singh Gaekwad (1939- 1951)


Share this Article:

Related Articles

More Articles in History of India


History of Uttar Pradesh
The state was the heart of Mahabharata war and the history of Uttar Pradesh is very much the history of India. The place finds its mentions in Hindu epics Ramayana and Mahabharata.
History Of Archaeology In India
History of archaeology in India contributes a lot to define the past history and the social life of India.
Mughal Architecture during Babur
Mughal Architecture during Babur is of adequate significance in Mughal history, as the emperor introduced Mughal architecture in India, during 16th century.
Princely State of Patdi
Princely State of Patdi or Patri was incorporated as a part of the Baroda Agency, which was a sub division of Western India States Agency.
Architecture during Sayyid and Lodi Dynasty
Architectures during the Sayyid and Lodi dynasty were mainly the tombs and monuments for the dead rulers. It were carefully designed and meticulously constructed.
Brahmanical Sources of Ancient History
Brahmanical Sources of ancient history are contained in the Vedas and they constitute one of the most important literary sources of information about ancient India.
Female Education In British India
The over brimming enthusiasm among zealous Hindu reformers welcomed female education in British India.
Revenue System of Mauryan Empire
Revenue system of Mauryan Empire can be divided into eight categories. The principal revenue of the state was the land revenue, taxes from traders, artisans and professional taxes were also collected.
Mughal Architecture During Jahangir
Mughal architecture during Jahangir`s period was relative dull in comparison to that of Akbar dynasty.
Princely State of Satlasna
Princely State of Satlasna was amongst the former native states of India that was appointed as one of the Indian princely states during the early 19th century.
Coins of Chola Empire
Coins of Chola Empire were issued in gold, silver and copper and carried the Chola emblem.
Social Life during the Pala Period
Religious toleration and simple living were the characteristics of social life during the Pala period.
Coins of the Chalukya Dynasty
Coins of the Chalukya Dynasty was reintroduced in the South India after a brief break of coinage less period of nearly three century. Chalukyas issued coins only in gold and they exhibit a brilliant artistic skill of the engraver.
Costumes of Indus Valley Civilisation
Costumes of Indus valley Civilization have been considered as the basis for Indian clothes. Sophisticated ornaments and make up were used during that age.
Development of Science under Gupta Empire
Development of Science under Gupta Empire was progressive and it had attained considerable perfection. Mathematics, astronomy, medicine, chemistry, physics and metallurgy were the most prominent of the sciences at that time.
Culture under Delhi Sultanate
Culture under Delhi Sultanate had enduring aspects to it. It included the society, the religious condition, literature and art and architecture of that period.
Princely State of Hapa
Princely State of Hapa was incorporated as a part of the Baroda Agency, which was under the administrative control of the Western India States Agency.
Economy Under Chola Dynasty
Economy under Chola dynasty was strong and well developed. The economic life of the people of the Chola Kingdom was well balanced with their social life.
Coins of Khilji Dynasty
Coins of Khilji Dynasty had an influential feature that was followed by the other dynasties.
Religion During Mauryan Dynasty
Religion during Mauryan dynasty became a considerable episode in Indian history with an esteemed lineage of rulers.