The Royals in India have had a glorious past with an opulent lifestyle in spectacular palaces infusing a sense of awe in the hearts of its onlookers.
There are innumerable palaces across India, each a masterpiece that proudly talks tales of the bygone days. It would be endless if we start writing about all of them. Immerse yourself in the history and the beauty of these FIVE royal palaces that are remarkably picture postcard perfect.
City Palace – Udaipur
The Mewar dynasty has had a history of turbulence among the Rajputanas. After the loss of Chittorgarh fort, Rana Udai Singh, the then king of Mewar, moved south towards lake Pichola and built his new capital – Udaipur.
The construction of this flamboyant palace began in 1559. And I say BEGAN because it didn’t end with just one palace. For over 300 years Udhai Sing’s successors kept adding new complexes and palaces in and around the City Palace.
The royal family still resides in one part of the palace. This lavish palace is an architectural beauty with ravishing balconies, cupolas and towers. The palace ALSO includes two stunning luxury palace hotels and the City Palace Museum that houses an incredible fleet of vintage cars.
Thanjavur Maratha Palace
This beautiful palace, also known as “Aranmanai”, was built by two different dynasties. First by the Thanjavur Nayaks and then by the Maratha dynasty who ruled Thanjavur (Tanjore region) from 1676 to 1855. It was the official residence of the Bhonsle family during that time.
Certain parts of the royal palace are being renovated and some have become ruins. You can visit 7 sections of the palace consisting of the Sadar Mahal Palace, the Durbar Hall and the queen’s courtyard.
Mysore Maharaja Palace – Mysore
This breathtaking Mysore Maharaja Palace is home to the famed Wodeyar Maharaja’s of Mysore. This palace is known for its Indo-Saracenic architecture that blends together Hindu, Muslim, Rajput, and Gothic styles of architecture.
Did you know this palace is also called as Amba Vilas Palace
The original palace that was built with wood unfortunately burnt down in 1897. The present palace was commissioned in 1897 and was completed in 1912. Few main attractions of the palace are the three-storied stone structure with marble domes, 145 ft five-storied tower, a large garden and an array of twelve Hindu temples that were built between 14th century and 20th century.
The most stunning view of this palace is at night when it is illuminated with thousands of bulbs (97,000 to be exact), gleaming against the coal-black night. That is something that should not be missed while visiting Mysore.
Lukshmi Vilas Palace – Vadodara
Around 1734, Damajirao, son Maratha general Pilaji Gaekwad conquered Baroda. But the golden period of Baroda began with the rule of Maharaja Sayajirao III in 1875. He was the man behind the construction of the majestic Lukshmi Vilas Palace where the royal family of Baroda resided and still resides.
Twelve years and £180,000 later, in 1890, Lukshmi Vilas Palace was built. Designed by Major Mant and completed by Robert Fellowes Chisholm, this lavish palace is known to have the largest private dwelling. It is four times the size of Buckingham Palace.
Lauded for its architectural brilliance, some attractions of the famous Durbar hall are the Venetian mosaic floor, Belgium stained glass windows and walls with intricate mosaic decorations. And if you want to have a glimpse of the breathtaking paintings by Raja Ravi Varma, this palace is where you should be heading!
Cooch Behar Palace, West Bengal
The 17th Maharaja of the Koch dynasty, Maharaja Nripendra Narayan built this glorious Cooch Behar Palace in 1887 AD. This palace is also known as Victor Jubilee Palace and was modeled on London’s Buckingham Palace.
The palace was built with bricks in the classical Western style and boasts of slightly projecting at the northern and southern ends to provide an entrance to the Durbar Hall. The Durbar Hall has a metallic dome that is at the height of 124 ft.
The famous Maharani of Jaipur, Maharani Gayatri Devi, was born in Cooch Behar. She is the granddaughter of Maharaja Nripendra Narayan.
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