Savli home to cenotaph of Gaekwadi rule’s founder

VADODARA: Gaekwadi rulers whose territories included a better part of the state were always identified with the Baroda state and the city.
But few would know that the cenotaphs of the founder and the warrior who expanded territory significantly in Gujarat rest at a nondescript place in Savli.
While it was Damajirao Gaekwad I who made advances into Gujarat as a Maratha general, it was his successor Pilajirao Gaekwad who is considered the first king of the erstwhile Baroda state.
Pilajirao had even constructed the fortress at Songadh in south Gujarat that was at one time the place from where the Gaekwads administered their territories.
Few know why was Pilajirao cremated at Savli in 1732 AD and a Samadhi Mandir was built in his memory there. “Pilajirao was an aggressive warrior and had challenged the Mughals. After a series of wars, a meeting was called to try and find an end to the conflict,” said Jitendrasinh, great grandnephew of Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III.
The meeting had taken place at the temple town of Dakor and subedar Abhaysinh Rathore was representing the Mughals. “The meeting did not go well for the Mughals and Pilajirao was attacked after it ended,” said Jitendrasinh.
Pilajirao was fatally wounded and was taken from the place in a palanquin. He died on the way near Savli. The cenotaph was erected in his memory there.
Jitendrasinh added that Pilajirao was succeeded by Damajirao Gaekwad II. “The successor started a campaign against the Mughals in the state with a vengeance. He expanded the empire to a better part of the state,” said Jitendrasinh. The cenotaph of Damajirao II also exists near that of Pilajirao.
The cenotaphs or ‘chhatris’ are forgotten today. The condition of the one erected in the memory of Pilajirao is particularly bad with plaster peeling off and vegetation growth on it.