Vijay palace created in 1940 as huge umbrella domes. spiral staircases and offers a lovely view of the sea. The delightful sandstone monuments here, with an aura of medieval glory, are quite enchanting. Rajputs style with fabulous carved jharokn balconies, jali-screens and cupolas offering splendid views of the old fort which now houses a government office and a school. The Aina Palace has now been converted into museums. The older Aina Mahal was built in the mid-18th Century by a patron-artist combination.
Ram Sinhji, a sailor from Mandvi, toured Europe extensively where he learned the art of glass-making, stone carving, clock making and other skills. Together with Rao Lakhpat Sinhji, they designed and built the palace in 1752. The doors are inlaid with ivory, intricately carved wooden pillars and China tiled doors. In the middle is the Aina Mahal - a pleasure pool fed by ingenious system of pumps and fountains where the Maharaja sat and listened to music. a collection of silver caskets, stuffed tigers, elephant tusks and other antiques.
It also houses a collection of the Maharaja Madan Sinhji`s tennis trophies! The palace, commissioned by Maharaja sayajirao Gaekwad III, founder of modern Baroda, was finally completed in 1890, at a cost f Pounds 180,000 and took ears to construct. Today, few get to see the interiors of the magniticent monument. Even for those, like us, fortunate enough to obtain special permission from the Gaekwad family, The hall is still a popular setting for many Indian classical music recitals by leading artistes from around the country. This tradition flourishes largely because Ranjitsinh Gaekwad, brother of Fatesinhrao, the last officially recognised maharaja of Baroda, is a patron of music and a skilled artiste in his own right. of the Gaekwad Museum within the palace grounds.
Images of the festival of the Maharajas here are plenty. For the building is stacked with art treasures and objets art - portraits of the royal family. Original paintings and sculptures by European masters, copies of famous works, an exquisite collection of Japanese and Chinese art, jewel studded tables, crystal sofa sets, an ivory framed bed, down a fountain that has mesmerized the frozen marble statues encircling it, and into the Darbar Hall. Darbar Hall was deserted As gazed up at the intricately carved wooden zenanas and the stained glass windows, we were aware of the piercing stare of the bronze busts of all the maharajas ofthe Gaekwad line and their diwans or prime ministers that adorn the walls.