Vadodara was formerly known as Baroda and the history of Vadodara is noted for its elegance in the Gujrati legacy. Presently, Vadodara is the third most-populated city in the Indian state of Gujarat after Ahmedabad and Surat. It is one of four cities in Gujarat with a population of over 1 million, however the history of Vadodara narrates brilliant how the city grew and reached to the zenith of prosperity in western India. Vadodara is also known as the Sayaji Nagari (Sayaji`s City after its famous ruler, Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III) or Sanskari Nagari (The City of Culture, a reference to its historical status as the Cultural Capital of Gujarat).

The history of Vadodara is enriching and inspiring that traces over 2000 years and more. The first noted history of Vadodara was of the early trader settlers who settled in the region in 812 A.D. The province of Vadodara was mainly Hindu-dominated with Hindu kings ruling till the year 1297. The Gupta Empire was the first power holding dynasty in the region during the early years of the Christian era. After fierce battles, the Chalukya Dynasty ruled over the region.

Finally, the Solanki Rajputs invaded the kingdom. By this time the Muslim rule had spread across India, and the Delhi Sultans then snatched the reins of power. These Sultans ruled the city for a long time, until the Mughal emperors easily overthrew them. The Mughals` biggest problem was the mighty Marathas who gradually and steadily took over the region. Vadodara became the capital of the Maratha Gaekwads. Sayaji Rao III (1875-1939), a most competent ruler, made many public and technical improvements in the region. Although the British executed a major influence on the region, Vadodara remained a princely state until Independence. Like all other princely states, Vadodara was also fused with the Dominion of India in 1947.

Two thousand years back, there was a small town known as "Ankottak" (present day Akota) on the western bank of the river Vishwamitri. The earliest history of Vadodara was the mentioning of its name in a Granth or charter of 812 that is associated with the name of Vadapadraka, a village attached to the nearby town of Ankottaka. In 600 AD severe floods in the Vishwamitri forced the inhabitants to migrate to the eastern side of the river to a village known as "Vatpatrak" (Leaf of Banyan tree), which developed into Vadodara. In the 10th century Vadapadraka replaced Ankottaka as the main town.

Vadodara was once called Chandanavati after its ruler Raja Chandan of the Dor tribe of Rajputs, who wrested it from the Jains. The capital had also another name Virakshetra or Viravati (Land of Warriors). Later on, Vadodara was known as Vadpatraka or Vadodará, which according to tradition is the distorted form of the Sanskrit word Vatodar meaning `in the heart of the Banyan tree`. All across the path of the history of Vadodara, various changes in the name were made; but early English travelers and merchants mention the town as Brodera and it is from this that the name Baroda is derived. In 1974, the official name of the city was changed to Vadodara.

The ancient history of Vadodara narrates of the early man who lived on the banks of the river Mahi. This river possibly has formed the flood plain during that age. There are evidences of the existence of early man in the Mahi river valley at a number of sites within 10 to 20 km to the northeast of Vadodara. No evidences however of the existence of these clans of aborigines are found in and around present Vadodara. This may be because of the absence of gravels and cobbles along the banks of the Vishwamitri rivulet.

The next phase of the history of Vadodara witnessed the first human settlement on the right bank of the river Vishwamitri on a group of dunes on the alluvium of the river. It also means that men knew about where to set up settlements, as they had selected a high land. The Vishwamitri must have been likely to be effected by seasonal floods even then. These people belonged to the Stone Age, crafting their tools with delicately grained stones. From their material culture and physical environment, they seem to have belonged to the same culture as those whose evidences were found in the Mahi river valley. This human settlement dates back to 1000 B.C.

Around the beginning of the Christian Era, the history of Vadodara depicts a small township developed at the same spot as the above mentioned settlement on the right bank of the river. It came to be known as Ankotakka or the present day Akota, the mound on which this settlement was established came to be known as Dhantekri. This is indicative of the presence of thick forests during those times. Due to its location on the ancient trade route between Gujarat and Malwa, this small township flourished in to a commercial center. There was a supposed commercial relation between this township and Rome.

The township of Ankotakka developed during the rule of the Guptas and the Vallabhis. It was subjected to periodical heavy floods. After 600 A.D, the inhabitants moved to the east of Ankotakka to another elevated portion located on the contemporary Kothi area. This formed the settlement of a new township. With India`s independence in 1947, the last ruling Maharaja of Baroda State merged with India. Baroda State was merged into to Bombay State shortly after independence, which was segregated into the states of Gujarat and Maharashtra in 1960, with Vadodara becoming a part of Gujarat. In the modern history of Vadodara, the city was affected by the devastating January 26, 2001 earthquake in Gujarat. There were some casualties as poorly constructed buildings collapsed owing to the earthquake and the after shocks.

Vadodara today is a terminus on the western railway of the lines leading to Ahmedabad, Delhi and Mumbai. Historically, Vadodara helps in the communication for movements of people and culture. The history of Vadodara city thoroughly bears out its cultural and commercial activities during the last two decades. Apart from the traditional stories, the history of Vadodara is based mainly on Jain literature and a few old inscriptions pertaining to Vadodara.