GUJARAT 43

Surat, or perhaps to its future—only the waters of the
Tapti river flow, as ever, unto Swally, into the sea.

When European factors were rivalling one another
in Surat, in the days when the British Eaj m India was
in its embryo state as a Company of traders, not far
from Surat was a well-known weaving centre. Since
then, within twenty decades, it was destined to become
the capital of an Indian State and the seat of the ruling
house of G-aekwars.

A fairly large city, well populated, Baroda has its
palaces, parks, public buildings, administrative offices,
business houses, industries and bazaars. Some houses in
the city are strikingly representative of the architecture
of the regions; while some areas are dotted with bungalows
in colonial style, and some areas are quiet and clean,
others can he said to be congested and stuffy.

The palace and its vast lawns are maintained in
princely fashion; the summer palace of Makarpura
could, in its interior decoration and its well-kept
gardens, be aptly called a chateau. On occasions Baroda
can present the picture of regal splendour with durbars,
kaleidoscopic processions, spectacular sports, gaily
decorated streets and brightly illuminated buildings—at
such times Baroda is eloquent representation of pomp
and glamour, or of " the splendour that was IncT\ have
it the way you like. On such occasions the mind
realizes the wealth of this State of Grujarat that, in its
domains, includes the ancient city of Krishna, Dwaraka
of hallowed memory to the Hindus.

In the villages of G-ujarat is a very good picture of
peasant life; every home has it spinning wheel, and
cottage industries are much in favour The simple