Vadodara in the context of Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda

The Fatimid dynasty (Arabic: الفاطميون, romanized: al-Fāṭimiyyūn) was an Arab dynasty that ruled the Fatimid Caliphate, between 909 and 1171 CE. Descended from Fatima and Ali, and adhering to Isma'ili Shi'ism, they held the Isma'ili imamate, and were regarded as the rightful leaders of the Muslim community. The line of Nizari Isma'ili imams, represented today by the Aga Khans, claims descent from a branch of the Fatimids. The Alavi Bohras, predominantly based in Vadodara, also claim descent from the Fatimids.

The Fatimid dynasty emerged as the leaders of the clandestine early Isma'ili missionary movement (da'wa) in the ninth century CE, ostensibly acting on behalf of a hidden imam, implied at the time to be Muhammad ibn Isma'il. The Isma'ili da'wa spread widely across the Islamic world, then ruled by the Abbasid Caliphate. In 899, the future first Fatimid caliph, Abdallah, proclaimed himself to be the expected imam, causing a rift in the Isma'ili da'wa as the Qarmatians, who did not recognize his imamate, split off. In the meantime, Isma'ili agents had managed to conquer large parts of Yemen and Ifriqiya, as well as launch uprisings in Syria and Iraq. Fleeing Abbasid persecution to Ifriqiya, Abdallah proclaimed himself openly and established the Fatimid Caliphate in 909. From there, the Fatimid imam–caliphs extended their rule over most of the Maghreb as well as Sicily, before conquering Egypt in 969. Founding Cairo as their new capital, for the next two centuries, the Fatimids would be based in Egypt and identified with the country. At their height, the Fatimids claimed control or suzerainty over much of North Africa, Sicily, Egypt, the Levant, the Hejaz, Yemen, and Multan.

The Statue of Unity is the world's tallest statue, with a height of 182 metres (597 feet), located in Narmada valley, near Kevadia in the state of Gujarat, India. It depicts Indian politician and independence activist Sardar Patel (1875–1950), who was the first deputy prime minister and home minister of independent India. Patel played a significant role in the political integration of India. The statue is on the Narmada River in the Kevadiya colony, facing the Sardar Sarovar Dam, 100 kilometres (62 miles) southeast of the city of Vadodara.

The project was first announced in 2010 by Narendra Modi, then Chief Minister of Gujarat, and construction started in October 2013 by Indian company Larsen & Toubro, with a total construction cost of ₹27 billion (US$422 million). It was designed by Indian sculptor Ram V. Sutar and was inaugurated by Modi, then Prime Minister of India, on 31 October 2018, on what would have been Patel's 143rd birthday.

Vishwamitri River is a non-perennial river in the state of Gujarat, India. Originating from Pavagadh in the Panchmahal District of Gujarat, the river flows westward through the city of Vadodara before draining into the Gulf of Khambhat. The river's name is thought to be derived from the name of the sage Vishwamitra. Human settlement dating back to 1000 B.C has been found on the bank of river Vishwamitri. In the beginning of the Common Era, a small township was developed on a mound on the banks of this river which later came to be known as Ankotakka (currently known as Akota). The river was important to the settlement of Vadodara.

Vishwamitri is part of a larger river system includes the Sayaji Sarovar on the Vishwamitri River near Ajwa, and the Dev Dam on the Dhadhar Branch. Its flow is from East to West in between two large perennial rivers Mahi and Narmada. The Vishwamitri River banks are home to multiple of places of historical importance like Chhatri, Pratappura Sarovar, Old Bridge, Suspension Bridge, Boat House. Vishwamitri is known for its population of Mugger crocodiles, a threatened reptile species in India that is legally protected under Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

Vadodara district, also known as Baroda district, is situated in the eastern part of the state of Gujarat in western India. The administrative headquarters of the district is the city of Vadodara (Baroda). The district covers an area of 7,794 km and had a population of 4,165,626 as of 2011. Out of this population, 49.6% were urban, 50.4% were rural, 5.3% were Scheduled Castes and 27.6% were Scheduled Tribes. As of 2011, Vadodara district is the third most populous district of Gujarat, out of 34 districts in the state.

The Lakshmi Vilas Palace (Gujarati: લક્ષ્મી વિલાસ મહેલ) in Vadodara, Gujarat, India, was constructed in 1890 by the Gaekwad family, a prominent Maratha family, who ruled the Baroda State. Major Charles Mant was credited to be the main architect of the palace.

Lakshmi Vilas Palace was styled on the Indo-Saracenic Revival architecture, built by Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III in 1890 at a cost of £6,383,155 (₹76,50,00,000) reflects Sayajirao's vision of blending Indian tradition with European modernity.

Gaekwads (also spelled as Gaikwads, Gaekwars) (IAST: Gāyakavāḍa), a Hindu Maratha dynasty of the former Maratha Empire and its subsequent (erstwhile) princely state of Baroda in western India from the early 18th century until 1947. The ruling prince was known as the Maharaja Gaekwad of Baroda. With the city of Baroda (Vadodara) as its capital, during the British Raj its relations with the British were managed by the Baroda Residency. It was one of the largest and wealthiest princely states of British India, with its wealth coming from the lucrative cotton business as well as rice, wheat and sugar production.