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History and heritage
Vadodara was earlier known as 'Vadapadraka', which means a village amidst the banyan trees. According to archaeological findings, human habitations existed in Vadodara since prehistoric times. It passed through the hands of the Guptas, the Solankis and the Mughals before the Marathas conquered it. Vadodara was under the reign of the Gaekwads from 1734 till independence and was the capital of one of the most powerful princely states prior to independence. Vadodara witnessed a golden era during the reign of Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwar III in 1875. Vadodara progressed tremendously during this period as the Maharaja attached great importance to education and economic development. He established compulsory primary education, a university, and model textile and tile factories. Soon after Indian independence, Vadodara was merged with the state of Maharashtra, which was later divided into the states of Gujarat and Maharastra in 1960, with Vadodara becoming a part of Gujarat.
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