It is believed that a township developed on the banks of the river Vishwamitri in the first century. It was called Annakotaka (present day Akota). This township was subjected to periodical heavy floods. This forced the inhabitants to abandon the township and move away from the banks of the Vishwamitri. The inhabitants moved to the east of Akota to another elevated portion located on the present Kothi area. Due to the profuse pressure of the Banyan Trees (Vad), the township came to be known as Vadpadraka. A copper plate of 812 AD mentioned that the Vadpadraka town was offered to a Brahmin called Bhanu. Later this area formed the nucleus of modern Vadodara. Thus Kothi area has a great importance in the history of Vadodara.