New Delhi: India is home to many forts and royalties. Royalty is not limited to culture, customs, and traditions; it also defines a country’s heritage. At one point, we were all fascinated by past and present royals.
Palaces are majestic buildings that once housed many royal families and still house some of them. Some have been turned into luxurious hotels. In this article, we will explore five palaces that are still regarded as symbols of grandeur and royal heritage.
Palaces that are regarded as symbols of grandeur and royal heritage
Mysore Palace
City Palace
Umaid Bhawan Palace
Falaknuma Palace
Lakshmi Vilas Palace
Mysore Palace: A Jewel of Indo-Saracenic Architecture
The Palace of Mysore, also called the Amba Vilas Palace, is a historic building in Mysore, Karnataka. It is a prominent feature of the city’s skyline, designed by English architect Henry Irwin. The palace, which has three stories and was built in the Indo-Saracenic style between 1897 and 1912, features square towers topped with domes at each corner.
Inside, the Durbar Hall has a beautifully decorated ceiling and carved pillars. The Kalyanamantapa, or marriage pavilion, has glazed tile flooring and a stained glass domed ceiling. Other treasures in the palace include intricately carved doors, a golden howdah (elephant seat), paintings, and a stunning jewel-encrusted golden throne, which is displayed during the Dasara festival.
The palace complex is walled and contains a Residential Museum, which showcases some of the palace’s living quarters and temples, including the Shwetha Varahaswamy temple.
Mysore Palace (Photo credit: worldofphotos/E+/Getty Images)
Udaipur’s City Palace: A Mewar Dynasty Masterpiece
City Palace (Raj Mahal) in Udaipur is a large palace complex in Udaipur, Rajasthan, India. It took nearly 400 years to build, with different rulers from the Mewar dynasty contributing to its construction. Maharana Udai Singh II started the palace in 1553 when he moved his capital from Chittor to Udaipur. The palace sits on the east bank of Lake Pichola and includes several buildings within its complex.
The City Palace is known for its impressive architectural style and is the largest palace in Rajasthan. It is built on a hill, combining Rajasthani Rajput architecture, which offers stunning views of the city and nearby areas. The palace overlooks Lake Pichola and is close to several historic sites, including the Lake Palace, Jag Mandir, Jagdish Temple, Monsoon Palace, and Neemach Mata Temple. These landmarks are nestled within the Aravali mountain range and are linked to popular culture.
City Palace Udaipur (Photo credit: Paul Panayiotou/Corbis/Getty Images)
Exploring the Grandeur of Umaid Bhawan, Falaknuma & Lakshmi Vilas Palaces
Umaid Bhawan
Umaid Bhawan Palace is a beautiful heritage building in Jodhpur, known as the Blue City in Rajasthan. This palace shows the grandeur of the Rajput era and reflects the lifestyle of the former royal family.
The palace has 347 rooms, a museum, and a collection of vintage cars. It was built between 1929 and 1943 under Maharaja Umaid Singh and designed by architect Henry Lanchester. Today, Taj Hotels manages the palace and is also the home of the former royal family of Jodhpur.
Maharaja Gaj Singh II and his family live in part of the palace, while the rest is open to visitors. Umaid Bhawan Palace is one of the largest living palaces in the world.
Umaid Bhawan (Photo credit: Walter Bibikow/DigitalVision/Getty Images)
Falaknuma Palace
Falaknuma is a palace located in Hyderabad, Telangana. It was originally owned by the Paigah family and later became the property of the Nizam of Hyderabad.
Nawab Sir Viqar-ul-Umra, the Prime Minister of Hyderabad state and the uncle and brother-in-law of the sixth Nizam, built the palace. “Falak-numa” means “Like the Sky” or “Mirror of Sky” in Urdu.
After visiting Europe, Sir Viqar-ul-Umra decided to construct a European-style residence. He laid the foundation stone on March 3, 1884. It took nine years to finish the construction and decorate the palace. Sir Vicar moved into the Gol Bangla and Zanana Mahel sections of the palace in December 1890 while overseeing the final touches in the Mardana part.
He used the palace as his private home until around 1897-1898 when he handed it over to the sixth Nizam of Hyderabad.
Falaknuma Palace (Photo credit: Leisa Tyler/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Lakshmi Vilas Palace
Lakshmi Vilas Palace, located in the centre of Vadodara, Gujarat, is a stunning palace and the home of the former Gaekwads. The palace showcases a beautiful mix of Indo-Saracenic, Hindu, and Gothic architectural styles.
Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III commissioned the palace in 1890, and construction finished in 1896. British architect Charles Mant designed this gem, blending Western and Indian styles.
The palace has an impressive facade with a central dome over 160 feet high.
The Durbar Hall is another highlight of the palace. It features a beautiful Venetian mosaic floor, stained glass windows from Belgium, and a stunning ceiling with a mosaic of various forms of the Sun God. The craftsmanship here is exceptional.
Lakshmi Vilas Palace (Photo credit: Tuul & Bruno Morandi/DigitalVision/Getty Images)
This article showcases five magnificent palaces in India, each representing a unique blend of history, architecture, and royal heritage. From the Mysore Palace to the Rajput grandeur of Udaipur’s City Palace and the expansive Umaid Bhawan Palace, these locations offer a glimpse into India’s rich past. Read on to learn about the five palaces in India. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
