HISTORIC GATES

OF
CULTURAL CITY
~ A GLORIOUS PAST

SUBJECT : Architectural conservation

GROUP : Vedanshi bhatt (20ARG35)
Sakshi patil (20ARG02)
Bhavi patel (20ARG26)
Khushi Gadkari (20ARG05)
INTRODUCTION

Vadodara (Baroda), a cultural capital of Indian state of Gujarat, was once a walled city.
The old walled city has four gates on four sides for entering the city and the old city is
settled inside those gates. Each gates has its own story to tell. Let me take you through
the brief history of 'Gates of Vadodara’.

The walled city of Baroda is testimony to the city’s medieval history prior to the rule of
Gaekwads. What is now a bustling market area was once a part of the fort city called
Kila-e-Daulatabad, part of the Gujarat Sultanate.

With times, the present day Vadodara city expanded rapidly around the periphery of
this walled city. Though age has degraded its charms, it still has historical significance.
Most of these Gates were not in good condition.
.
HISTORY
Kila-E-Daulatabad
The Walled City
15th century AD – 16th century AD Mandvi Gate Chapaner Gate
• Pavagadh was captured by Sultan Mehmud Begda of
Gujarat in 1485
• Begada then shifted his capital from Ahemdabad to
Chapaner
• Vadapatraka poosed as the line of defence in South
• This resulted in the building of Kila-E-Daulatabad with
mandvi Pavilion as the centre

Vadapatraka
Kila-E-Daulatabad

Ankotakka Lehripura Gendi Gate Pani Gate

Viswamitri Gate
River
LAHERIPURA
GATE
Situated amid noisy and colorful bustling markets, the This gate is a Threshold between the fairly open and
Lehripura Darwaja, is the most ornamented gate out spacious Sur sagar lake area and the dense Old city
of the four gates of the old city. vicinity. Through the openings of the gate you can get
the glimpse of the Mandvi gate.
Built in 1558, it served as the gateway to the old city
and is situated near the Nyay Mandir. It was part of Right next to the gate there is the Mangal bazaar
the western ramparts of the now extinct fort known as where people can buy all sorts of things from clothes
Kila-e-Daulatabad, built by Khalil Khan in the 16th to everyday home stuff.
century. The gate is named Lehripura Darwaja after
the community of coppersmiths residing in the area
who were known as the Laharis. The word Laheri in
Leheripura is a variant of the original word Lahari.

Still standing gloriously in the city and unlike it's

disappeared companion, the fort wall, this gateway
along with the other three gateways still remind the
people of the city of its Pre-Gaekwad past.
CHAMPANER
GATE
Champaner Gate, serves as the Northern gateway to
the old city of Baroda and leads one in and out of the
tightly knit fabric and the colorful markets of the old
city area. The gate faces northwards towards
Champaner and thus the Champaner Darwaja.
It was named Champaner also because the
Champaner was captured by Sultan Mehmud Begada
(Father of Khalil Khan). This was among the few gates
from where Elephants could pass
Just like the other gates this gate also has massive
Islamic arched gates as a means of entry. This gate
also has the guard rooms on its inner side and a room
with a sloping roof on the top.
The room on the top has 3 windows on both sides
which may have been used to keep an eye on the
surroundings. Along with the other four gates this gate
was also restored recently.
GENDI GATE
Gendi gate wasthe southern gate of the walled city.
Rhinos (called Gendas in Gujarati) were kept near this
gate, thus the name Gendi Gate, says the book
'Vadodara Ek Adhyayan' by archaeologist R. N. Mehta.
Documents from Year 1804 and 1822 refer to Gendi
gate as Baranpore nu darwajo (gate) because it led to
Baranpura locality in the walled city.
It is said that this sloping roof was added during the
Maratha period. Both these levels of rooms have
windows as a means of a lookout on the neighboring
areas.
Along with the other 3 gates this gate was also
restored recently.

Common with the other gateways, this also the

Islamic/Ogee arched entry point.

Unlike the other gates this gate has two stories of

rooms on the top with the topmost level covered with
a double pitched hipped roof.
PANI GATE
Pani Gate (Darwaza), serves as the eastern gateway to
the old city of Vadodara (Baroda).
It is said that there were Ajab and Raje lakes, which
supplied water to the City, so the gate was named Pani
(water) Gate. The Gate also has Wide Arches in Islamic
Style.
The Gate was restored few years back as some
portion of the Gate was collapsed. A room with
sloping roof was also added later. On its outer side,
above the main arch, there is a metal structure like a
nose. People call it ‘Vadodara nu naak’ – a metaphor
for the city's honour.
The name Pani Gate translates to Water gate is said to
have been given because of the presence of the Ajab
and Raje lakes, which supplied water to the city, in the
vicinity.
The gateway has massive Islamic/Ogee arches along
with the lotus motif embellishing it's spaniards. It also
has bands carved stone motifs running along all the
sides of the structure. Apart from this it is also
decorated using two small jharokha-like elements that
flank the sides of the arch. It also has guard rooms
tucked on its inner portion which also provide access
to the upper level of the gateway.
MANDVI GATE
The word 'Mandvi' is derived from the Sanskrit word
'mandapa' meaning a pillared hall.
The structure, giving the old city its identity, was built
by the sultan only as a double storeyed pavilion. The
upper two stories were added by the Gaekwads.
The square-shaped pavilion features three bold arched
openings on each of its four sides, and is decorated
with niches of various sizes and shapes. It is believed
that it was used for collecting toll from merchants and
traders and was also used to make announcements for
the city.
Later during 1856 AD. Ganpatrao Gaekwad added the
upper two stories along with a clock that sits on the
topmost story
As soon as you cross the Lehripura Gate, right away
one can see the Mandvi Gate just standing a few 100
meters across.
Like the other gates it doesn't feel that massive as it
has slender columns as the support system. Also, it's
the tallest of all the gates.
 GATE CULTURAL
SIGNIFICANCE
Lehripura Gate Lehripura Darwaja, built in
1558, is the most ornamented
gate in the old city, named
after the Lahari community of
coppersmiths.
Champaner Gate It was built by Khalil Khan, it
faces north towards
Champaner and was named
after its capture by Sultan
Mehmud Begada.
Gendi Gate Gendi Gate is a Southern
gateway to Baroda's old city,
was built by Khalil Khan and is
one of four entry gates to Kila-
e-Daulatabad.
Pani Gate It is one of the entry gates to
the walled city of Baroda,
called the Kila-e-Daulatabad
and was built by Khalil Khan
along with the now extinct
fort walls during the 16th
century.
Mandvi Gate During the Gaekwadi era, the
mandapa held pride for the
royal family and city residents,
featuring a flag mast,
trumpets, and nagaara drum
beats, and only Maharaja's
vehicles could pass through.
SOCIAL
SIGNIFICANCE
Situated in the midst of noisy
and colorful bustling markets
& serves as the gateway to
the old city.
It is one of the entry to the
walled city. And leads one in
and out of the tightly knit
fabric and the colorful markets
of the old city areas.
Gendi Gate (Darwaja), serves
as the Southern gateway to
the old city of Baroda.
Pani Gate (Darwaja), serves as
the eastern gateway to the old
city of Vadodara (Baroda).
Mandvi is a beloved center of
festivities, adorned with
beautiful lights and attracting
children to colorful markets.
HISTORIC
SIGNIFICANCE
It served as the western
gateway to the old walled city.
It was among the few gates
where elephants could pass &
had 3 windows on both sides
which may have been used to
keep an eye on the
surroundings.
Rhinos (called Gendas in
Gujarati) were kept near this
gate, thus the name Gendi
Gate. It is also known as
Baranpura nu darwajo
because it led to baranpura
locality.
It is named after the nearby
Ajab and Raje lakes which
supplied water to the city, in
the vicinity.
Khalil Khan built Kila-e-
Daulatabad. The fort,
designed by Rumin Khan, was
a square of 800 meters a side,
based on the game "Chopat".
It was divided into four
squares and had four gates.
The Mandvi pavilion was built
at the intersection of the
squares.
 STYLE ARCHITECTURE INFLUENCE USES IMPACTS

Islamic architectural The current structure Positive influence It serves as the gateway Social impacts on public
style features three huge to the old city from
gateway openings, cusped west direction.
arches, tower-like
elements, and a central
walled space with a
"jharokha" and small
jharokhas. The back
portion of the walled
space shows a row of five
arches.
Islamic architectural The gate features Islamic Positive influence It serves as the gateway Social impacts on public
style arched gates, guard to the old city from
rooms, and a sloping room north direction.
with three windows.

Islamic architectural It has Islamic/Ogee arched Positive influence It serves as the gateway Social impacts on public
style entry point. This gate has to the old city from
two storeys of rooms on south direction.
the top with the topmost
level covered with a
double pitched hipped
roof. It has windows for
neighboring views .

Islamic architectural The gateway features Positive influence It serves as the gateway Social impacts on public
style Islamic/Ogee arches, lotus to the old city from east
motif, and carved stone direction.
motifs. Guard rooms and a
metal structure called
'Vadodara nu naak'
symbolize the city's honor.

Islamic architectural A double-storeyed Positive influence Mandvi gate today is an Social and cultural
style pavilion. The square- iconic Symbol of impacts on public
shaped pavilion features Vadodara and serves as
three bold arched an important Cultural
openings on each of its and commercial hub,
four sides, and is surrounded by bustling
decorated with niches of Markets and shops that
various size and shape. sells traditional and
Gaekwad added two modern Goods.
storeys, clock, and
staircase to a structure
with wooden jaalis.
 PROFORMA OF HERITAGE PRECINCT
NAME :
PRESENT NAME : Pani gate (it is said that there were ajab and raje
lakes, which supplied water to the city, so the gate was namd pani
gate.
PAST NAME : Kila-e-Daulatabad

LOCATION : Serves as the eastern gate of the old Vadodara city.

AGE OF BUILDING : 16th Century

OWNERSHIP :
PUBLIC BUILDING
PROCTECTED
OWNERSHIP – VMC

HISTORIC USAGE : It is one of the entry to the walled city.

CURRENT USAGE : It is one of the entry to the walled

city.
~ The gate also has wide arches in Islamic style. The gate
was restored few years back as some portion of the
gate was collapsed. A room with sloping roof was also
added later. On the outer side, above the main arch,
there is a metal structure like a nose. People call it Vadodara
nu naak – a metaphor for the city’s honour.

NAME :
PRESENT NAME : Gendi gate
PAST NAME : Kila-e-Daulatabad / Baranpore nu darwajo
(because it led to baranpura locality)

LOCATION : Serves as the southern gate of the old Vadodara city.

AGE OF BUILDING : 16th Century

OWNERSHIP :
PUBLIC BUILDING
PROCTECTED
OWNERSHIP – VMC

HISTORIC USAGE : It is one of the entry to the walled

city.

CURRENT USAGE : It is one of the entry to the walled

city.

~ The southern gate is an Islamic – style structure with

four ribbed arches. A sloping roof was later constructed
during the Maratha period. Rhinos (called gendas in gujarati) were
kept near this gate, so it got the name ,says book – Vadodara ek
Adhyayan by archaeologist R.N Mehta.
NAME :
PROFORMA OF HERITAGE PRECINCT
PRESENT NAME : Laheripura darwaza (coppersmiths residing in that
area were known as laheris)
PAST NAME : Kila-e-Daulatabad

LOCATION : Laheripura gate is on the western side of the wall city.

It is near nyay mandir and is the main entry to walled city.

AGE OF BUILDING : 16th Century

OWNERSHIP :
PUBLIC BUILDING
PROCTECTED
OWNERSHIP – VMC

HISTORIC USAGE : It served as the gateway to the

old city.

CURRENT USAGE : It served as the gateway to the

old city.

~ The gateway has gone major changes at least twice until

now. This gateway was also like the other three gateways, simple
and auster.e Except for a few decorative elements. It
was first majorly modified in 1879 on the occasion of marriage of
maharaja saiyajirao III to maharani Chimnabai I.

NAME :
PRESENT NAME : Champaner gate
PAST NAME : Champaner gate

LOCATION : Serves as the northern gate of the old

Vadodara city.

AGE OF BUILDING : 16th Century

OWNERSHIP :
PUBLIC BUILDING
PROCTECTED
OWNERSHIP – VMC

HISTORIC USAGE : It is one of the entry to the walled city.

And also this was among the few gates from where
elephants could pass.

CURRENT USAGE : It is one of the entry to the walled city. And

leads one in and out of the tightly knit fabric and the colorful markets
of the old city areas.
 PROFORMA OF HERITAGE PRECINCT
NAME :
PRESENT NAME : Mandvi gate ( derives from Sanskrit word
Mandapa
meaning – pillared hall )
PAST NAME : Kila-e-Daulatabad

LOCATION : It is located at the center of the walled city.

Where the
roads leading to the four gates crosses. Standing on
the crossing of the two cardinal streets of the city.

AGE OF BUILDING : 16th Century

OWNERSHIP :
PUBLIC BUILDING
PROCTECTED
OWNERSHIP – VMC

HISTORIC USAGE : It was used for collecting toll From

merchants and traders and was also used to make
announcements for the city.

CURRENT USAGE : Mandvi gate today is an iconic

Symbol of Vadodara and serves as an important Cultural
and commercial hub, surrounded by bustling Markets and
shops that sells traditional and modern Goods.

~ This square shaped pavilion measuring 4000sq.ft had

only one story featuring three bold arched openings on
each of its four sides. Marked by a market place in today’s
time, this gate separates two intermingled streets in to
four that meet in the center.

~ This gate was renovated by Governor Malharoa Maloji

in 1736AD.laster during 1856 AD, Ganpatrao Gaekward
added more Storeys. Now it is a four storied concrete
structure with four clock Fitted on the top facing four
gates. Most of the structure is intact Including some
of the chaatries.
SOURCES :
https://historyofvadodara.in/timeline/
https://historyofvadodara.in/lehripura-gate/
https://historyofvadodara.in/mandvi-gate/
https://www.slideshare.net/Shivam091/mandvi-gate-vadodara
https://zoominindia02.blogspot.com/2017/05/gates-of-vadodara.html?m=1
https://historyofvadodara.in/category/gate/
https://zoominindia02.blogspot.com/2017/05/gates-of-vadodara.html?m=1
https://issuu.com/gaurav.patel.spab/docs/walk_with_me_-_vol_i_-_final