Raopura Tower

Vadodara

Patola silk sarees, bandhnis and traditional ghagras, embroidered blankets, bracelets, jewellery, and khadi are all well-known products from Vadodara. This city is well-known for housing the state's Maratha Royal Family at the renowned Lakshmi Vilas Palace.

Brief History

Also known as the Maharani Chimnabai tower, the Indo-Saracenic structure was built in 1896 in memory of Maharani Chimnabai, the first wife of Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III. The clock tower is a five-storey building with a clock facing all four directions on the 4^th floor. A spiral staircase from the bottom leads up to the 4^th floor, where a balcony protrudes outside the clocktower. The last level is octagonal in shape with jali-work on all eight sides of the parapet. There is a final shikar (steeple) that stands atop. The clock was brought by the Maharaja from London and installed when the tower was completed. Each clock has a dial of 6 feet, with 3 feet long hands. Earlier the clocks chimed every 15 minutes, which has been staggered to every hour. The Raopura tower is lit up in the evenings.

The Maharani Chimnabai tower (Raopura Tower) was erected in 1896 in the memory of the queen (1864–1885). It is said that the funds for the construction were collected as a contribution from the citizens of the city. The tower was inaugurated by the last Nawab of the city, Mir Kamaluddin Hussainkhan.