Around the beginning of the Christian Era, a small township seems to have developed on the right bank of the river Vishwamitri. It came to be known as Anoktakka (present day Akota). The town ship 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 possibly due to the profuse presence of banyan trees which are comparatively many even today. The development of Vadodara was rapid from 11 th Century A.D to 14 th Century A.D.

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. We cannot speak of any aspect of this city without reference to him. Vadodara's identity is Sayajirao's contribution.

Today the city is situated on both the banks of the river Vishwamitri and is famous as cultural capital of Gujarat and centre of educational activities. The population of the city is approx. 1.9 million and is projected to be two million by the turn of the century.

The delightful little village near the Banyan Tree, Vadapadrakas of yesterday is today's Vadodara, the sprawling metropolis, the uncrowned cultural capital of Gujarat . The city has enriched the nation by grooming mighty men like Maharshi Aurobindo Ghosh, Acharya Vinoba Bhave, Dada Bhai Naroji and Doctor Ambedkar. The City's educational and art institutions have produced the luminaries like Jivraj Mehta, KM Munshi, Hansa Mehta and Professor Bedre.

The Modern city of Vadodara is fitting tribute to late Shri Sayajirao Gaekwad. It was the dream of this able administrator to make Vadodara an educational, industrial commercial centre and today's Vadodara stands as a monument to his farsighted vision. The city has giant industrial complexes and public undertakings like the Gujarat Refinery, IPCL, GSFC and the Heavy Water Project of the Atomic Energy Commission.

GENERAL INFORMATION

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