New and old Palaces at Makarpura, back view - Baroda 1895

Photograph of the old and new palaces at Makarpura, near Baroda, Gujarat from the Curzon Collection, taken by an unknown photographer during the 1890s.

Silver Zenana carriage ( Second View ) - Baroda 1895

Photograph of a silver carriage at Baroda, Gujarat from the Curzon Collection, taken by an unknown photographer during the 1890s. The solid silver two-wheeled carriage is drawn by white bullocks and belonged to Gaekwar Sayaji Rao III (ruled 1875-1939), 12th Maharaja of Baroda. He owned a collection of exotic transport, which also included golden carriages and a miniature carriage drawn by deer. They were displayed to visitors and used on ceremonial occasions. It seems unlikely that this is a zenana carriage, which would have been enclosed to ensure the seclusion of female members of the royal household when travelling.

Chimnabai Nyaya Mandir, SE view - Baroda 1895

Photograph of the Chimnabai Nyaya Mandir or High Court at Baroda, Gujarat, taken by an unknown photographer during the 1890s.

Chimnabai Nyaya Mandir or High Court at Baroda - 1890's

Photograph of the Chimnabai Nyaya Mandir or High Court at Baroda, Gujarat from the Curzon Collection, taken by an unknown photographer during the 1890s. Completed in 1896, it is situated beside the Sursagar tank in the centre of Baroda. It is one of several buildings in the city designed in an Indo-Saracenic style by the Madras architect Robert Fellowes Chisholm (1840-1915) and is a mixture of Gothic, Renaissance and Mughal elements. In the centre of the building is a large hall decorated with mosaic work, used as the Town Hall. It contains a statue of Maharani Chimnabai, the first consort of the Gaekwar Maharaja Sayaji Rao III (ruled 1875-1939), after whom the building was named. This is a view of the front entrance and clocktower, ornamented with chhatris.

Makarpura Palace, NE view - Baroda 1895

Photograph of the Makarpura Palace, near Baroda, Gujarat from the Curzon Collection, taken by an unknown photographer during the 1890s. The palace was built by the Gaekwar Sayaji Rao III (ruled 1875-1939) between 1883-1890 and designed by Robert Fellowes Chisholm (1840-1915) in an Italian Renaissance style. It lies to the south of Baroda and was used as a country residence. This view from the north-east shows a corner of the three-storey façade, arcaded with semi-circular arches, with a porte-cochere entrance to the right. The palace is set in English-style formal gardens, shown in the foreground.

Main street, in the Baroda city - 1895

Photograph of the cityscape at Baroda, Gujarat from the Curzon Collection, taken by an unknown photographer during the 1890s. Baroda is situated on a plain on the banks of the river Vishwamitri. It came into the possession of the Gaekwad Maharajas in the 18th century and as the state capital grew from an old walled city to a large city with suburbs. During the reign of Gaekwar Sayaji Rao III (ruled 1875-1939), the city was modernised with the construction of broad tree-lined avenues, parks, palaces and distinguished public buildings. This view from a high vantage point looks out over parkland to the roofs of the city in the distance.

Golden carriage - Baroda 1895

Photograph of a golden carriage at Baroda, Gujarat from the Curzon Collection, taken by an unknown photographer during the 1890s. The two-wheeled solid gold carriage is drawn by caparisoned bullocks and belonged to Gaekwar Sayaji Rao III (ruled 1875-1939), 12th Maharaja of Baroda. He owned a collection of unique modes of transport, which included silver carriages and a miniature carriage drawn by deer. They were displayed to visitors and used on ceremonial occasions.

New Palace at Makarpura, Darbar Hall - Baroda 1895

Photograph of the durbar hall in the new palace at Makarpura, near Baroda, Gujarat from the Curzon Collection, taken by an unknown photographer during the 1890s. The palace was built by the Gaekwar Sayaji Rao III (ruled 1875-1939) between 1883-1890 as a country residence, and designed by Robert Fellowes Chisholm (1840-1915) in an Italian Renaissance style. It lies to the south of Baroda and is surrounded by English-style formal gardens. The durbar or royal audience hall interior is a combination of traditional and modern design. It has a viewing gallery at the upper level for women of the court and other observers but is decorated and furnished in a western style. The walls are hung with oil paintings and upholstered Victorian furniture is arranged informally about the room.

New and old palaces at Makarpura in distance - Baroda 1895

Photograph of the new and old palaces at Makarpura, near Baroda, Gujarat from the Curzon Collection, taken by an unknown photographer during the 1890s. Situated to the south of Baroda, the palaces were built by the Gaekwad Maharajas as country residences. The old palace was originally built by Khande Rao (ruled 1856-1870). The retreat was enlarged and improved when the new palace, at right, was built by the Gaekwar Sayaji Rao III (ruled 1875-1939) between 1883-1890. It was designed by Robert Fellowes Chisholm (1840-1915) in an Italian Renaissance style. The palaces are surrounded by English-style formal gardens containing pergolas, fountains, and grottoes, shown in the foreground in this view.

Hunting Lynx - Baroda 1895

Photograph of a hunting lynx at Baroda, Gujarat from the Curzon Collection, taken by an unknown photographer during the 1890s. Hunting with trained wild cats was one of several royal sports traditionally favoured by Indian princes and continued during the 19th century. The lynx was chiefly used to hunt hare and birds and belonged to the Gaekwar Sayaji Rao III (ruled 1875-1939), 12th Maharaja of Baroda. In this view it is shown on a bullock-cart with its handlers.

A small carrirge, driven by Deer - Baroda 1895

Photograph of a carriage pulled by deer at Baroda, Gujarat from the Curzon Collection, taken by an unknown photographer during the 1890s. The small two-wheeled carriage belonged to Gaekwar Sayaji Rao III (ruled 1875-1939), 12th Maharaja of Baroda. He owned a collection of exotic transport, which also included solid gold and silver carriages drawn by caparisoned bullocks. They were displayed to visitors and used on ceremonial occasions.

Chimnabai Tower - Baroda 1895

Photograph of the Chimnabai Clock Tower, at Baroda, Gujarat from the Curzon Collection, taken by an unknown photographer during the 1890s. The tower is designed in an Indo-Saracenic style and was erected in c.1896 from funds contributed by the citizens of Baroda in memory of Maharani Chimnabai (1864-1885), the first consort of the Gaekwar Maharaja Sayaji Rao III (ruled 1875-1939).

Camels at Baroda - 1895

Photograph of camels at Baroda, Gujarat from the Curzon Collection, taken by an unknown photographer during the 1890s. The use of camels for transport was widespread until the opening of the railways, when their numbers were reduced. They were particularly used by rabaris (professional herdsmen) in the northern part of the Baroda district where the soil is sandy. This group of four camels with their liveried riders belonged to the Gaekwar Sayaji Rao III (ruled 1875-1939).

Palace at Makarpura, Zenana Porch - Baroda 1895

Photograph of the Makarpura Palace, near Baroda, Gujarat from the Curzon Collection, taken by an unknown photographer during the 1890s.

Silver Zenana carriage - Baroda 1895

Photograph of a silver zenana carriage at Baroda, Gujarat from the Curzon Collection, taken by an unknown photographer during the 1890s. The enclosed carriage ensured the seclusion of female members of the royal household when travelling. The confinement of Indian women within the family home or behind a veil was known as purdah, and zenana was the name given to segregated women’s quarters. The lavishly decorated two-wheeled carriage is drawn by caparisoned bullocks and belonged to Gaekwar Sayaji Rao III (ruled 1875-1939), 12th Maharaja of Baroda. He owned a collection of exotic transport, which also included golden carriages and a miniature carriage drawn by deer.

Palace at Makarpura (west) at Baroda - 1895

Photograph of the Makarpura Palace, near Baroda, Gujarat from the Curzon Collection, taken by an unknown photographer during the 1890s. The palace was built by the Gaekwar Sayaji Rao III (ruled 1875-1939) between 1883-1890 and designed by Robert Fellowes Chisholm (1840-1915) in an Italian Renaissance style. It lies to the south of Baroda and was used as a country residence. This view from the south-west shows the main façade, with a projecting port-cochere entrance. It consists of two three-storey wings arcaded with semi-circular arches, linked by a central arcade and tower. The palace is surrounded by English-style formal gardens, shown in the foreground.

Durbar hall in the palace at Makarpura, Baroda - 1895

Photograph of the durbar hall in the new palace at Makarpura, near Baroda, Gujarat from the Curzon Collection, taken by an unknown photographer during the 1890s. The palace was built by the Gaekwar Sayaji Rao III (ruled 1875-1939) between 1883-1890 as a country residence, and designed by Robert Fellowes Chisholm (1840-1915) in an Italian Renaissance style.

Makarpura Palace, Baroda - 1895

Photograph of the Makarpura Palace, near Baroda, Gujarat from the Curzon Collection, taken by an unknown photographer during the 1890s. The palace was built by the Gaekwar Sayaji Rao III (ruled 1875-1939) between 1883-1890 and designed by Robert Fellowes Chisholm (1840-1915) in an Italian Renaissance style. It lies to the south of Baroda and was used as a country residence. This view shows the front façade, consisting of two three-storey wings arcaded with semi-circular arches, linked by a central arcade and tower. The palace is surrounded by English-style formal gardens, shown in the foreground.

Zenana ( Girls) school at Baroda - 1895

Photograph of a zenana school at Baroda, Gujarat from the Curzon Collection, taken by an unknown photographer during the 1890s. The Department of Public Instruction was opened in 1875 and a policy of free, compulsory education for both sexes and all castes was pursued by the state government with the encouragement of the Gaekwar Maharaja Sayaji Rao III (ruled 1875-1939). The Gaekwar particularly valued the education of women and in 1885 published a memorandum on the subject. A girls’ schools was opened in Baroda in 1875, and by 1880 there were eight throughout the state. In addition a training college for women teachers was opened in 1882. Zenana classes were attended by grown-up women who were taught reading, writing, arithmetic and needlework. This view of the school shows a brick building built in an Anglo-Indian style.

State Library at Baroda - 1895

Photograph of the State Library at Baroda, Gujarat from the Curzon Collection, taken by an unknown photographer during the 1890s. The library was built in 1876 and designed by Major Charles Mant (1840-81) in the Indo-Saracenic style. He was a pioneer of the style and used it in his designs for other civic and state buildings in Baroda such as the Countess of Dufferin hospital and his masterpiece, the Lakshmi Vilas Palace. The library is one of the public offices contained within the Juni Kothi or old fort. It predates the Baroda Library movement initiated in c.1910 by the Gaekwar Maharaja Sayaji Rao III (ruled 1875-1939), which founded the Central Library, a system of state-aided libraries, reading rooms, travelling libraries and the first library school in India.

Library at Lakshmi Vilas Palace in Baroda - 1895

Photograph of the library at Lakshmi Vilas Palace in Baroda, Gujarat from the Curzon Collection, taken by an unknown photographer during the 1890s. An immense structure, the palace was built for the Gaekwar Sayaji Rao III (ruled 1875-1939) and was reputedly the most expensive building erected by a private individual in the 19th century. Originally designed and begun in 1880 by Major Charles Mant (1840-81), it was completed in 1890 by Robert Fellowes Chisholm (1840-1915). Both architects were pioneers of the Indo-Saracenic style, an orientalist fusion of Eastern and Western forms. The interior was richly decorated with lavish ornamental detail in this style but was planned and furnished in a largely Western manner, as shown in this view of the library. The Gaekwar’s library consisted of c.20,000 volumes which he donated in 1910 to form the nucleus of the Baroda Central Library. This was established as part of the Baroda Library movement, a campaign to found free state libraries initiated by the Gaekwar.

Group portrait of Sir Madava Rao and ministers of Baroda - 1880

Photograph of a group portrait of Indian office holders from the state of Baroda (Vadodara) from the 'Album of portraits and views in Baroda' taken by an unknown photographer in c.1880. Seen in this group portrait is Sir Madhava T. Rao, the British appointed administrator or Chief Minister to the Princely state of Baroda. The state of Baroda (Vadodara) in Gujarat, western India was ruled by the Gaekwads from 1734 till Indian Independence. In 1802 a treaty was concluded between the Gaekwar and East India Company by which a British Resident was appointed to the court and a provision was made for the maintenance of a British military force in the state.

Laxmi Vilas Palace, Baroda - 1890

Photograph of the Lakshmi Vilas Palace, at Baroda in Gujarat, from Lee-Warner Collection: 'Baroda views and buildings, c.1890' taken by an unknown photographer. A colossal structure, it was built for the Gaekwar Sayaji Rao III (r.1875-1939) and was reputedly the most expensive building erected by a private individual in the 19th century. This is a general view of the west facade shortly after completion, with landscaped gardens in the foreground. Originally designed by Major Charles Mant (1840-81) in an exuberant Indo-Saracenic architectural style, it was begun in 1878 and completed after his death in 1890 by Robert Fellowes Chisholm (1840-1915). Both architects were pioneers of the Orientalist style, which combined western and eastern forms, particularly arches and domes. The skyline of the palace is a fantastical mixture of bangaldar eaves, chhatris, a tall tower and a central cupola. In creating a modern palace, Mant retained the traditional division of an Indian palace into three sections but arrayed them in three blocks along the main axis of the building. The Durbar Hall is at the left, the Maharaja's residence in the centre and the zenana or women’s apartments at the right.

Side view, Makarpura Palace, Baroda - 1890

Photograph of the Makarpura Palace, near Baroda in Gujarat, from the Lee-Warner Collection: 'Baroda views and buildings, c.1890', taken by an unknown photographer.

Old & new Palace, Makarpura, Baroda - 1890

Photograph of the old and new palaces at Makarpura, near Baroda in Gujarat, from the Lee-Warner Collection: 'Baroda views and buildings, c.1890', taken by an unknown photographer. Situated to the south of Baroda, the palaces were built by the Gaekwad Maharajas as country residences. They are surrounded by English-style formal gardens containing pergolas, fountains, and grottoes. The old palace was originally built by Khande Rao (r.1856-1870). The retreat was enlarged and improved when the new palace, at right, was built by the Gaekwar Sayaji Rao III (r.1875-1939) between 1883-1890. It was designed by Robert Fellowes Chisholm (1840-1915) in an Italian Renaissance style and is connected to the old palace by a central corridor. This view shows the rear of the old palace in the foreground, with balconies and steps leading down to the gardens, and the arcaded classical facade of the new palace beyond.

Street scene in Baroda - 1880

Photograph of a a street scene in Baroda (Vadodara) from an 'Album of portraits and views in Baroda' taken by an unknown photographer in c. 1880. Vadodara, on the banks of the river Vishwamitri, was capital of the princely state of Baroda from 1734 to1947 under the Gaekwads who transformed the city into a progressive centre of education, culture and industry.

Tarabai, Jamna Bai and Gaekwar of Baroda - 1880

Photograph from the 'Album of portraits and views in Baroda' taken by an unknown phtographer in c.1880. This group portrait shows Her Highness the Maharani Jamnabai (the widowed consort of Khande Rao who adopted Sayaji Rao) sitting on a chair with the Gaekwar behind and to her left and Tarabai (possibly the Gaekwar's sister) standing at her right side.

Group portrait with the Gaekwar of Baroda, the Governor of Bombay, Sir Richard Temple and various Indian and European officials - 1880

Photographer: Unknown

Group portrait of Sir Sayaji Rao, the young Gaekwar of Baroda (seated, front centre), Sir Richard Temple, Governor of Bombay and officials from the 'Album of portraits and views in Baroda' taken by an unknown photographer in c.1880. Also in the portrait Sir Madhav T Rao, British appointed administrator of Baroda and Phillip S. Melville, Agent to the Governor General. The state of Baroda (Vadodara) in Gujarat, western India was ruled by the Gaekwads from 1734 till Indian Independence. In 1802 a treaty was concluded between the Gaekwar and East India Company by which a British Resident was appointed to the court and a provision was made for the maintenance of a British military force in the state.