After the rather commercial ambience of Ahmedabad, the charming city of Vadodara in the state of Gujarat, comes as a pleasant change. The character of the city closely reflects the legacy of Maharajah Sayaji Rao III who was a progressive ruler and a great city planner. Successive rulers added palaces, lakes and parks, making the city one of the most charming urban centres in the region. The city has a mixed bag of people from all over the country that came here attracted by Vadodara’s catholicity, its modern outlook and its cosmopolitan culture. Contemporary Vadodara is important as a growing industrial city and a renowned centre for academics. The College of Fine Arts is acknowledged as one of the best in the country.