Main street in Baroda in the 1890s

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.