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Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III

 
 
 

A Journey Through The Chronicles Of Baroda

 

Time does not change us. It just unfolds us. - Max Frisch

 

  • 11-Mar-1863

    Gopalrao (future Maharaja Sayajirao) born to Kashirao Gaekwad in Kavlana village as his second son.

  • 1856 -1870

    Maharaja Khanderao Gaekwad's reign in Baroda State.

  • 11-Aug-1870

    Malhar Rao (Khanderao's younger brother) ascended the throne.

  • 1871

    High School established in Baroda.

  • 1874

    Malhar Rao appoints Dadabhai Naoroji, Devan of Baroda.

  • 1874

    Sir Lewis Pelly succeeded Colonel Phayre at Residency.

  • 1875

    Commission appointed, including Richard Meade, P.S. Melville and others to investigate Malhar Rao's involvement in a conspiracy against Colonel Phayre.

  • 23-Feb-1875

    Commission appointed by Government of India with Colonel Richard Meade as President to look into Colonel Phayre's report on misrule of Baroda by Malhar Rao.

  • 18-April-1875

    Sir, Richard Meade succeeded Sir Lewis Pelly as the Residency.

  • 19-April-1875

    Malhar Rao deposed and exiled to Madras.

  • 3-May-1875

    The British Governor General appoints Sir T. Madhav Rao as new Devan of Baroda State.

  • 27-May-1875

    Maharani Jamnabai adopted Gopalrao and Sir Richard Meade Placed him on the throne proclaiming him the new Maharaja of Baroda State, to rule in the name of the British Government and named him Sayajirao III. The adoption committee included T. Madhavrao and Richard Meade.

  • 6-June-1875

    Keshavrao Pandit and Vyankatesh Joshi (Bhau Master), after the initiation ceremony, took to formally educating the young Maharaja.

  • 8-Nov-1875

    Maharaja Sayajirao greeted the Prince of Wales, the future King Edward, VII, in Bombay on his visit to India.

  • 19-Nov-1875

    Prince of Wales visited Baroda.

  • 10-Dec-1875

    F.A.H. Elliot, I.C.S. and Director of Public Instruction in Berar, appointed as English tutor for the Maharaja.

  • 1875

    Vernacular Education Department set up.

  • 1-Jan-1877

    Maharaja Sayajirao's III's first Indian tour which ended at Delhi to attend the durbar where Queen Victoria was proclaimed Empress of India.

  • 1-Jan-1877

    Queen Bestowed the title Farzand-i-Khas Daulat-i-Inglishia, on Maharaja Sayajirao.

  • 8-Jan-1879

    Sayajirao III lays foundation stone for Baroda College.

  • 6-Jan-1879

    Maharaja Sayajirao III married to Kumari Laxmibai, (Later renamed Maharani Chimnabai), the neice of the Maharaja of Tanjore.

  • 10-Jan-1880

    The foundation stone of Laxmi Vilas Palace, named after the new Maharani, was laid by the Agent to the Governor Mr. Melville, in the presence of Sir, Richard Temple (Governor of Bombay).

  • 1880

    Robert Chisholm, Consultant Architect of Madras Presidency invited to Baroda; designs the Baroda College Building (the nucleus of the future M.S. University) and modifies the design of the Laxmi Vilas Palace. Later also designed the buildings for the Baroda Museum & Picture Gallery, as well as Nayay Mandir.

  • 14-July-1881

    Elder daughter Bajubai was born to Sayajirao III.

  • 26-July-1881

    Former deposed Maharaja Malhar Rao, died in Madras.

  • 28-Dec-1881

    Official investiture of Maharaja Sayaji rao as Ruler of Baroda in his own right by Sir James Fergusson, Governor of Bombay, on behalf of the Viceroy of India.

  • 1882-87

    Maharaja Sayajirao III travelled extensively through his domain.

  • 29-Nov-1882

    Sir, T. Madhav Rao left Baroda and Kazi Shahabuddin succeeded as Dewan.

  • 4-June-1882

    Maharaja Sayajirao's and Maharani Chimanabai's second daughter Putlabai was born.

  • 19-Feb-1883

    Maharaja Sayajirao's visit to Calcutta on the invitation of the Viceroy Lord Ripon.

  • 3-Aug-1883

    Heir-apparent Prince Fatehsingh Rao Born.

  • 8-Jan-1885

    The Construction work of the Sayaji Sarovar at Ajwa began, which later supplied drinking water to Baroda. Ceremony performed by Lady Watson, wife of Resident Watson.

  • 7-May-1885

    Chimnabai I, First wife of Maharaja Sayajirao III, died.

  • 1885

    Ordered translations of historical books of the Jains.

  • 28-Dec-1885

    Maharaja Sayajirao married Kumari Gajrabai Ghatge, later renamed as Maharani Chimnabai II.

  • 8-Nov-1886

    Lady Dufferin inaugurated the newly built 'Countess of Dufferin Hospital".

  • 23-Nov-1886

    Commissioned the preparation of the "Aine Rajmahal" manuscript.

  • 1886

    First newspaper in Baroda "Baroda Vatsal" started by Maharaja Sayajirao and edited by Shri Damodar Yande of Bombay.

  • 1887

    First sections of new railways from Mehsana to Vadnagar opened and other connections duly followed, A Railway System connecting all principal villages and towns was a major achievement of Maharaja Sayajirao.

  • 1887

    Visit to Ceylon.

  • 1-May-1887

    Maharaja Sayajirao left for first trip to Europe.

  • 28-May-1887

    Maharaja's Sayajirao Gaekwad laid the foundation stone of Chimnabai market Place, which eventually became Nyaya Mandir (Court House).

  • 3-Dec-1887

    Ceremony of the Investiture of Insignia of the G.C.S.I. upon Maharaja Sayajirao took place in Windsor Castle, London. Met Queen Victoria for the first time.

  • 12-May-1888

    Eldest son of Maharani Chimnabai II, Jaisinhrao born in Ooty; received 'congratulations' message from Queen Victoria.

  • Feb-1888

    Maharaja of Mysore visits Baroda; road named after him.

  • 10-Feb-1890

    Laxmi Vilas Palace completed and now became the Royal Residence.

  • 13-Mar-1890

    Prince Albert Victor of Wales, who was on a sporting tour to India, arrived in Baroda.

  • 10-Feb-1890

    Kalabhavan established.

  • 31-July-1890

    Prince Shivajirao, second son of Maharani Chimnabai II, was born.

  • 1891

    Sanitary Department for the first time set up for the whole State, taking over work till now inefficiently performed by local sweepers.

  • 1892

    Shri Damodar Yande began another news paper, "Shri Sayaji Vijay" in English, Marathi and Gujarati. Maharaja Sayajirao also established a publishing house.

  • 2-Mar-1892

    Princess Indira Raje, third child of Maharani Chimnabai II was born. She later became Maharani of Cooch Behar.

  • 29-Mar-1892

    Ajwa water works began functioning and supply of drinking water through taps started in Baroda.

  • 1892

    Task of codifying laws of Baroda taken up.

  • 1893

    Aurobindo Gosh joins the Revenue Service.

  • 31-Aug-1893

    Prince Dhairyashilrao, fourth child of Maharani Chimnabai II, was born.

  • 27-Nov-1896

    Viceroy Lord Elgin paid a visit to Baroda.

  • 30-Nov-1896

    Chimanabai/ Nyaya Mandir inaugurated by Lord Elgin on its completion.

  • 1897

    Maharaja Sayajirao's visit to Egypt.

  • 1897

    Aurobindo Ghosh appointed Private Secretary to Maharaja Sayajirao.

  • 15-June-1897

    Princess Tarabai, daughter of Maharaja Khanderao & Maharani Jamnabai (adoptive mother of Sayajirao ) dies.

  • 29-Nov-1898

    Maharani Jamnabai Passed away.

  • 1899

    Plague spreads in many are as of the country and also in Baroda.

  • 22-June-1899

    Maharaja Sayajirao visits the new Viceroy Lord Curzon in Simla.

  • 1900

    Expressed resentment against the writing of Curzon circular.

  • 1900

    Sent his children abroad for further studies.

  • 1900

    Aurobindo Ghosh appointed Vice Principal of Baroda College (now Faculty of Arts).

  • 1901

    Donated one lakh to Victria Memorial (Calcutta) Fund on the death of Queen Victoria.

  • Aug-1902

    Heir apparent Prince Fatesingh Rao back in India from Oxford and learning duties of military and other department.

  • 1902

    Hindu Widow's remarriage act was instituted.

  • 1-Jan-1903

    Attended Delhi Darbar on the occassion of the coronation of Kind Edward VII.

  • 1903

    Correspondence with Colonel Meade expressing grievance against the bad treatment of Indian Princes by the British.

  • Apr-1904

    Correspondence between Maharaja and Lord Curzon expressing unhappiness over the treatment of Indian Princes and asserting the relevance of Imperial service in India, against which Lord Curzon had proposed changes.

  • 1904

    Infant Marriage Prevention Act Passed.

  • 1904

    Reorganised the Revenue Department.

  • 1904

    Presided over the Social Conference of Indian National Congress at Bombay and discussed two major problems of India: caste and status of women.

  • 1904

    Sanctioned a grant for a book on comparative religious history.

  • 1904

    City Improvement Trust established with Sir Manubhai Mehta as its Chairman.

  • 4-Feb-1904

    Yuvraj Fatehsingh Rao married Kumari Padmavati.

  • May-1906

    On his visit to America, studies education system prevailing there and secured service of Dr. Cuthbert Hall to inspect schools of Baroda. Inquired into working of circulating libraries and sent seeds to be tried in the Indian soil.

  • Aug-1906

    Corresponded with Secretary of State of India. John. Morley, regarding desirability of autonomy for Indian States and approval of the idea for Council of Princes.

  • 1907

    Anglo-Vernacular school for girls established.

  • 9-July-1908

    Bank of Baroda Ltd. established.

  • 1908

    Approved the preparation of a volume each year on Buddhism.

  • 29-June-1908

    Yuvraj Pratapsinghrao born to Yuvraj Fateshingh Rao and Padmavatidevi.

  • 14-Sept-1908

    Yuvraj Fatehsingh Rao dies.

  • 1909

    Colonel M.J. Meade retired from Baroda State (1901-1909)

  • 13-Nov-1909

    Viceroy Lord Minto visited Baroda.

  • 1910

    Picture Gallery built in the Public Park.

  • 1910

    Library Department established in Baroda. Maharaja Sayajirao engaged the expert services of W.A. Borden who organised the Baroda Library department. Maharaja handed over his personal volume to the Central Library.

  • 1911

    Maharni Chimnabai II published a book in collaboration with S.M. Mitra called "The Position of Women in Indian Life".

  • 22-June-1911

    Participated at the coronation ceremony of King George V. at West Minister Abbey, London.

  • July-1911

    Visited Buckingham Palace and was received by King George V.

  • 12-Dec-1911

    Attended the coronation durbar at Delhi of King George V. and Queen Mary where his deliberate indisposition caused a fervour of fury amongst the British bureaucrats and the Press all over Britain and Indian; his associates were suspected to be with the Nationalists.

  • 1912

    Agriculture Department set up.

  • 1913

    Maharaja Discussed with Spielman the prospect of having a European collection in the Public Gallery which was built in the Public park.

  • Feb-1914

    Maharani Chimnabai II signalled her abandonment of purdah by sitting on the same sofa with the Maharaja at a prize distribution ceremony at Nyaya Mandir.

  • 17-Mar-1914

    Maharaja Holkar of Indore visited Baroda and unveiled an equestrian statue of Maharaja Sayajirao made by Derwent Wood, Statue was erected by public subscription in commemoration of Maharaja Sayajirao's 50th birthday.

  • 1915

    Maharani Chimnabai Stree Udyogalaya was established.

  • 1915

    Law passed for the "Purohit" to be qualified.

  • 22-Feb-1917

    Baroda State Hospital Opened.

  • 1-Jan-1917

    Note from the Resident informing him that the title of G.C.I.E. was bestowed on him.

  • 1919

    Boy scouts organization sanctioned and began its activities.

  • April-1921

    Picture Gallery, with its collection of European Art was opened to the public.

  • 1921

    A Cement Factory, largest in Western India, established by Maharaja and put under American Management.

  • 24-Nov-1921

    Prince of Wales visited Baroda.

  • 1922

    Trans-Kathiawar railway line constructed.

  • 1924

    Maharaja had considered the idea of a fully developed Legislative Assembly (unlike the prevailing Dhara Sabha) and in 1922 had proposed the creation of Upper and Lower houses of Legislature, which were eventually formed in 1924.

  • 1924

    Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar nominated member of Baroda Legislative Assembly.

  • Jan-1924

    Maharaja Sayajirao as Chancellor of Banaras Hindu University delivered Chancellor's address.

  • 11-Jan-1925

    Golden Jubilee celebrations

  • 1925

    At a banquet in Laxmi Vilas Palace, all leading men, including some "Harijans', sat together and ate at the same table.

  • 15-Jan-1915

    Laid foundation of Kirti Mandir near the royal cemetary where the memory of past rulers, benefactors of the State, and devoted members of the family could be honoured.

  • Feb-1925

    During his travel, visited Ajanta caves.

  • Nov-1925

    Laid foundation stone of "Antyaja Mandir" (untochable's temple) in Amreli.

  • 15-Jan-1926

    The Viceroy, Lord and Countess Reading visited Baroda and Lord Reading laid the foundation stone of the science Institute (now the Faculty of Science).

  • 14-Feb-1927

    Inauguration ceremony of the pier at Adatara Harbour, near Dwarka.

  • 4-Jan-1929

    Yuvraj Pratapsingh Rao married Kumari Shantadevi.

  • 6-Feb-1939

    Maharaja Sayajirao passed away in Bombay.