If we ask you, where’s Baroda, you’d instantly answer that it’s the capital of Gujarat and nestled in the western part of India. But what if we enlighten you that Baroda is situated in the USA? Surprised? Well, if you thought that the names of Indian cities are unique to only our country since they sound so desi, then hold on to that thought. Here are 10 destinations outside India that share exactly the same names as popular Indian cities.
1. Delhi- India & Canada
Delhi, the capital of India, also shares its name with Delhi in Ontario, Canada. While the spelling is exactly the same, the one in Canada is pronounced as Del-high. While in our Delhi you’d encounter delicious street food stalls, bustling shopping centres and majestic monuments, the Delhi in Canada is widely known as the ‘Heart of the Tobacco Country’.
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2. Kochi- Kerala & Japan
Kerala’s Kochi is a major port city and a popular tourist spot in the state, thanks to its glorious beaches. Well, it’s not just Kerala that has a Kochi, Japan also has one. Nestled across the sea, Japan’s Kochi was originally a castle town. This city got its name from the Kochi Kastle in the Province of Tosa. Over the years, this town rapidly grew and became one of the largest settlements of the region, housing 40 per cent of the population.
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3. Lucknow- Uttar Pradesh & USA
Lucknow in the USA is a tiny unincorporated community in Pennsylvania. It’s a 5500-acre mountain estate mansion with 16 rooms. And yes, it has got its name from the City of Nawabs, India’s Lucknow, due to its total history. But unlike the one in the USA, our Lucknow is home to actual royalty and truly holds a glorious past.
4. Patna- Bihar & Scotland
Patna in India is one of the oldest inhabited places in the world. The city shares centuries worth of stories and history. Earlier, Patna was known as Patliputra that was home to iconic scholars and astrologists like Aryabhata, Chanakya and Panini. The Patna in Scotland got its name from the Indian city of Patna itself. The founder of the Scotland village, William Fullarton was the son of a man who served the East Indian Company.
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5. Thane- Maharashtra & Australia
Thane in Mumbai, Maharashtra is a beloved vicinity. Dotted with beautiful beaches, bustling eateries, it’s a place to be. Australia also has a Thane. This is a rural town in the Southern Downs Region, Queensland, nestled far away from the big cities. Australia’s Thane had a population of just 27 people according to the 2016 census. And this is definitely one of the biggest differences between the two Thanes.
6. Dhaka- Bihar & Bangladesh
You’d be familiar with Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, which was once part of East Pakistan. Dhaka has a rich history and often shares a tragic history of the partition in various written works. India also has a place in Bihar named Dhaka. And it holds a significant role in being a Vidhan Sabha constituency.
7. Salem- Tamil Nadu & USA
Salem in Tamil Nadu is widely mentioned in many inscriptions, which were recorded in the first and second centuries. Today, Salem is a city best known for steel. It also offers many sightseeing spots for tourists. But the Salem in the USA is known for its witch trials. Salem translates to “peace” in Hebrew. This marks a time for peace from the witch trials.
8. Faridkot- Punjab & Pakistan
Faridkot was once one of the 22 districts of Punjab, a princely state under British rule. It later became part of the Indian Republic in 1948. Pakistan also has a Faridkot that came into the limelight after the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai. One of the terrorists belonged to the hometown of Faridkot in Pakistan.
9. Baroda- Gujarat & USA
The Baroda in the USA is a charming 1.7 sq km village built by Michael Houser. He initially wanted to name the village Pomona. But this name was already taken. CH Pindar, a constructor on the railroad, born in India’s Baroda, suggested naming the US village by the same name. That’s how a tiny village in the USA shares its name with the bustling city of Gujarat, Baroda.
10. Bali- Rajasthan & Indonesia
When you hear Bali you can instantly visualise gorgeous scenery, lush green paddy fields, crystal clear water and whatnot. Well, that’s the Bali in Indonesia we’re talking about. Rajasthan also has a small hamlet named Bali, it’s located in the Pali district of the state. Unlike Indonesia’s Bali, the one in Rajasthan doesn’t have much to offer in terms of tourism.
So desi friends, these are some of the Indian cities that share their names with foreign cities. Meanwhile, here are some destinations in India that you can visit in place of their global counterparts.