Sayajirao

Sayajirao Gaekwad III, commonly called Sayajirao, was the Maharaja of Baroda State from 1875 to 1939. Born on 11 March 1863, he ascended to the throne at a young age after the death of his predecessor and ruled Baroda State for more than six decades. He is remembered as one of India's most reformist rulers, who pursued administrative modernization, economic development, and social reforms within Baroda State.

Under his rule, Baroda State underwent centralized administration, legal reforms, and large-scale public works. He established Baroda College in 1881, laying the foundation for higher education in the state. The college eventually grew into the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda (formed in 1949). He promoted education for both sexes and attracted scholars from across the region, supporting literacy and public health initiatives.

In the economic sphere, Sayajirao promoted industrial development and public enterprises, most notably the founding of the Bank of Baroda in 1908, a major financial institution that continues to exist. He also invested in infrastructure, including roads, irrigation, and the Lakshmi Vilas Palace, completed in 1890 as his residence and a symbol of Baroda State’s modernization.

Sayajirao’s long reign left Baroda State with a modern administrative framework, cultural patronage, and institutions that influenced governance and education in western India. He died on 5 February 1939. His legacy lives on in the educational institutions and civic projects that originated during his reign.