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Vansada is one of the two former princely states of south Gujarat
: Vansada and Dharampur. Vansada town is surrounded by dense bamboo
forests and probably derives its name from 'Vans', meaning bamboo
in Gujarati. The history of the Vansada State dates back to at least
750 years and the rulers of Vansada are the descendants of Chalukya
(Solanki) Rajput clan. Vansada was the capital of the princely State
of Vansada, till the independence of India in 1947 AD. Maharaval
Virsinhji founded the present day fortified town of Vansada in 1781
AD, in a picturesque location, on the banks of Kaveri river, at
the southern foothills of the Sahyadri range. Before founding the
city, as per Hindu religious traditions, King Raval Virsinhji built
three temples- Vireshwar Mahadev, Vireshwari Mata and Virabhadra
Hanuman to sanctify the site chosen for constructing a new town.
Maharaja Pratapsinhji became the king of Vansada in 1885 AD; soon
after his accession, he introduced tax reforms, a banking system
and provided generous public charity during the terrible famine
of 1890 AD. His able administration over the years resulted in surplus
wealth in the state treasury. He was a visionary ruler and under
his patronage several architectural and urban design projects were
constructed in Vansada, for the benefit of the public. The Clock
Tower, Town Hall, Anglo-Vemacular School, Library and Ratankunwarba
Hospital have been built during his regime, which changed the skyline
of Vansada town forever.
Vansada town has two entrance gates. The one near Vireshwari Temple
is an imposing structure with a big plaster decorated arch having
motifs of fish on both sides, wooden roof, cast iron brackets supporting
two beautifully carved wooden balconies on both sides. The another
gate near the Town Hall, is a three storey high structure with a
carved wooden door, receding volumes and a sloping roof. Although
both these gates have lost their original function as security gates,
they still the famous landmarks of the town.
Kings of Vansada were great patrons of arts and they have constructed
some beautiful palaces on the vast palace grounds, just abutting
on bank of Kaveri river. The Digvir Niwas Palace is one of the finest
examples of royal architecture in the early 20th century. The approach
to the palace is through a beautiful plaster-decorated gate and
the octagonal chhatris on both sides of the entrance gate give it
an imposing look.
The Digvir Niwas Palace is a low profile linear building, with ashlar
stone masonary. All the openings are defined by white decorative
plaster, creating an interplay of textures. The entire facade has
several architectural elements like- carved balustrade, arches,
brackets, pediments, columns, semi circular and octagonal verandahs,
curved overhangs- protecting windows with stained and coloured glass,
with a steep sloping Mansard roof on the top arranged in a creative
design scheme to create an appealing edifice. The setting of the
palace building and the campus layout seem to have been inspired
by British castles and French chateaux of the European aristocracy.
A Gymkhana Building is located in the Digvir Niwas Palace compound.
It is designed in the manner of the cricket pavilions of English
counties having sloping roofs, wooden trusses and Mangalore tiles
creating an intimate and cozy building.
Another interesting building is the royal guest house- Sushil Sadan
with a big pediment porch, terraces and central tower capped by
Mangalore tiled roof, with Dormer windows. Two other public buildings
are the Clock Tower and Sir Pratap High School- both are made using
exposed brick work. The tall Clock Tower has four storeys, with
four comer pilasters terminating in to chhatris and the central
part is capped by a dome. Sir Pratap High School is a symmetrical
building, with a central porch, central Clock Tower and sloping
roof with Mangalore tiles.
