Palaces in Rajasthan were the places where the royal families spent their maximum leisure time. Peculiar thing about these palaces is that maximum palaces are located amidst or around lakes and ponds. These palaces were built to showcase the lifestyle, leisure and personal taste of various members of royal family. Even their personal rooms were decorated with finest collection of murals and oil paintings that depict about their stories of chivalry and valiance, which even today cost a whopping amount. Some of these palaces are in isolated places but still well maintained thanks to Archaeological Survey of India and other government departments.
Many of them have been converted into luxury heritage hotels so that revenue generated is used in their upkeep and maintenance. Some have been retained as private residences of the royal family, even as most have been taken over by the state government. If you are planning a holiday to Rajasthan for a heritage trip, do make a point to include a trip to these palaces mentioned below. These palaces, their architecture, and their old walls tell stories of the glorious past of the state. These beautiful monuments will leave you mesmerized with stories around them, that are fascinating and have the power to keep your engrossed. The best time to visit Rajasthan would be during the winters when the weather is not dominated by scorching heat. Pleasant weather conditions make it easier to explore the state. These are just a few of the palaces found in Rajasthan.
1. Amber Palace, Jaipur
One if the most celebrated palace of Rajasthan, Amber palace is located 11 km from Jaipur. Built in 1592 by Raja Man Singh, this palace reflects true glories of Rajput clan with its stunning architecture. The palace has beautiful rooms, temples, courtyards, and breathtaking views of Jaipur city that will surely leave you awestruck. Also called Amer fort has a number of gates and other such structures, the design layout of Amer fort would leave your spellbound. The importance given to details, both in planning and architecture, will leave you wondering about the scientific acumen of people of that era. The palace is entirely built with red sandstone, marble and limestone. The Amer fort has a number of important sections within, namely the Diwan-e-Aam, the Diwan-e-Khas, the Seesh Mahal, the Sukh Niwas and the Jai Mandir. The thought process behind each of these structures is amazing. This fort is also declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Mughal architecture greatly influenced the architectural style of several buildings inside the palace complex. The attractive, opulent palace is laid out on four levels, each with a courtyard. It consists of the Diwan-e-Aam, or “Hall of Public Audience”, the Diwan-e-Khas, or “Hall of Private Audience”, the Sheesh Mahal (mirror palace), or Jai Mandir, and Sukh Niwas where a cool climate is artificially created by winds that blow over a water cascade within the palace. At the entrance to the palace near the Ganesh Gate, there is a temple dedicated to Shila Devi, a goddess of the Chaitanya cult, which was given to Raja Man Singh when he defeated the Raja of Jessore, Bengal in 1604. There is also the Tripolia gate, Lion gate. The most unique building inside the palace complex is the Raja Man Singh’s own palace with 12 rooms for his 12 queens all of which are connected to his room on upper floor. The palace is truly unique.
2. Samode Palace, Jaipur
Samode Palace is a 475 years old mansion built by the noble feudatory. Now converted into a heritage hotel, the palace boasts of its attractive and intrinsic artwork and paintings. The marble floors, mosaic walls, murals and floral motifs also give the palace a charming look. Samode Palace, Samode Haveli and Samode Bagh (Garden) are a heritage monument built by the noble feudatory with the hereditary title of ‘Maha Rawal’ or ‘Maha Saheb’ of the Amber and Jaipur principality in Rajasthan, India. All three have rich history of several hundred years and display a fusion of Mughal and Rajasthani art and architecture. The Samode Palace is located 40 kilometres north of Jaipur city, the Samode Haveli is close to Jaipur (centrally located within city limits, 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) away from the city railway station) and the Samode Bagh or Garden, 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) from the palace which is also run as a luxury hotel. They all are now part of the Heritage group of hotels under the flagship name of “Samode” that are run by the hereditary owners of these structures. Many Hindi feature films have been pictured with the settings of the palace. The 1984 American HBO TV serial adaptation of the Raj-romance novel The Far Pavilions was also filmed in the palace precincts. Samode is also amongst the most gorgeous palaces in Rajasthan for weddings. Main attractions of Samode Palace: Sultan Mahal, Durbar Mahal, Samode fort and Samode Bagh. Samode Palace was initially built in the sixteenth century as a Rajput fort, but in the early 19th century, under the nobleman Rawal Berisal, it was converted from a fort into an exquisitely designed palace in Rajput and Muslim architectural style.
3. Bal Samand Lake Palace, Jodhpur
Set on a private estate dominated by lime and pomegranate plantations, Bal Samand Lake Palace was the former vacation abode of royal families of Jodhpur. The ambience is astounding and hospitality is truly royal. Equipped with traditional décor, spacious lounges, dining bays, and Jacuzzi bath, this is one of the best palaces in Rajasthan, which is now converted into a heritage hotel. Main attractions of Bal Samand Lake Palace: Garden rooms with private rose garden and terraced lawns, with Maharani Suite being the ,most sought after. Balsamand Lake is a lake situated 5 kilometres from Jodhpur on Jodhpur-Mandore Road. This lake is a popular picnic spot, built in 1159 AD by Gurjara-Pratihara rulers. It was designed as a water reservoir to provide water to Mandore. The lake has a length of one kilometre, breadth of 50 metres and a depth of 15 metres. The Balsamand Lake Palace was built later as a summer palace on its shore. The lake is surrounded by lush green gardens that house groves of trees like mango, papaya, pomegranate, guava and plum. Animals and birds like the jackal and peacock also call this place home.
4. Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur
Home to the erstwhile royal family of Jodhpur, Umaid Bhawan Palace is set in the heart of the city. The palace is a marvellous example of Indo-Saracenic architecture and its special Chittar sandstone gives it a dazzling appearance. One of the most important parts of the palace is its museum which showcases a massive collection of vases, vehicles used by the maharaja, furniture, clocks etc. Like many other royal palaces in Rajasthan, Umaid Bhawan Palace has been turned into a heritage hotel. Main attraction of Umaid Bhawan Palace is the grand Umaid Bhawan Palace museum. Umaid Bhawan Palace, located in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India, is one of the world’s largest private residences. A part of the palace is managed by Taj Hotels. Named after Maharaja Umaid Singh, grandfather of the present owner Gaj Singh, the palace has 347 rooms. The groundbreaking for the foundations of the building was carried out on 18 November 1929 by Maharaja Umaid Singh and the construction work was completed in 1943. The history of building the Umaid Bhawan Palace is linked to a curse by a saint who had said that a period of drought would follow the good rule of the Rathore Dynasty. Thus, after the end of the about 50-year reign of Pratap Singh, Jodhpur faced severe drought and famine in the 1920s for a period of three consecutive years. The farmers of the area, faced with this hardship, sought the help of the then Maharaja, Umaid Singh, who was the 37th Rathore ruler of Marwar at Jodhpur. Umaid Singh to provide the farmers with some employment so that they could survive the harsh conditions, decided to build a lavish palace. He commissioned Henry Vaughan Lanchester as the architect to prepare the plans for the palace. Lanchester was a contemporary of Edwin Lutyens, who had planned the buildings of the New Delhi government complex. Lanchester patterned the Umaid Palace on the lines of the New Delhi building complex by adopting the theme of domes and columns. The palace was designed as a blend of western technology and Indian architectural features. The site chosen for the palace was on a hill known as Chittar hill in the outer limits of Jodhpur, after which the palace is also known. No water supply was available nearby and hardly any vegetation grew as hill slopes were rocky. The building material required was not close by as sandstone quarries were at quite a distance. The Maharaja had the foresight to bring his project to fruition, built a railway line to the quarry site to transport the building material. Donkeys were inducted to haul soil to the site. The sandstone transported by rail was dressed at the site into large blocks with interlocking joints so that they could be laid without the use of mortar. The palace complex is set in an area of 26 acres of land including 15 acres of gardens. The palace consists of a throne chamber, a private meeting hall, a Durbar Hall to meet the public, a vaulted banquet hall, private dining halls, a ballroom, a library, an indoor swimming pool and spa, a billiards room, four tennis courts, two marble squash courts, and long passages.
5. Monsoon Palace, Udaipur
Also known as Sajjangarh Palace, this famous palace in Rajasthan is perched on a hill top. Formerly counted as monsoon retreat for Mewar rulers, this palace was frequently visited by the royal families to enjoy monsoon. Encircled by Sajjangarh Wildlife Sanctuary, this palace offers breathtaking views of the lakes and Udaipur city. Monsoon or Sajjangarh Palace is amongst the most celebrated historical places in Rajasthan. The Monsoon palace was built in 1884 by Maharana Sajjan Singh of Mewar dynasty. Since the palace is located on a hilltop, it offers amazing panoramic views of the entire city. The lakes, the gardens and the other palaces make for a great view. The palace is made of white marble and was originally constructed to observe the monsoon clouds. It is a beautiful edifice and would definitely leave you enchanted. The architecture and the view go great together and you just wouldn’t want to leave this place. It was built chiefly to watch the monsoon clouds; hence, appropriately, it is popularly known as Monsoon Palace. It is said that the Maharana built it at the top of the hill to get a view of his ancestral home, Chittorgarh. Previously owned by the Mewar royal family, it is now under the control of the Forest Department of the Government of Rajasthan and has recently been opened to the public. The palace provides a beautiful view of the sunset.[ Its builder, Maharana Sajjan Singh, originally planned to make it a five-storey astronomical centre. The plan was cancelled with Maharana Sajjan Singh’s premature death. It was then turned into a monsoon palace and hunting lodge. The palace, built with white marble, is located on Bansdara peak of the Aravalli hill range at an elevation of 944 m (3100 ft) above mean sea level, overlooking Lake Pichola from the west about 1,100 ft (340 m) below the palace. The palace is built on marble pillars, which are carved with exquisite motifs of leaves and flowers. The walls are plastered with lime mortar. At night, the illuminated palace with the Rajasthani architecture comprising domes, fountains and jharokas gives it a fairy tale beauty.
6. Jag Mandir Palace, Udaipur
Jag Mandir is a palace built on an island in the Lake Pichola. Just like the stunning island in the middle of a sparkling lake, Jag Mandir enhances the charm of Udaipur by its exotic location and unmatched glory. The palace was erstwhile recreation centre and summer retreat of the kings, now it is one of the most fascinating palaces of Rajasthan. Main attractions of Jag Mandir Palace are refreshing drink at Picholi Ba, jaw dropping view of the lake and city palace and most photogenic sunset. It is also called the “Lake Garden Palace”. The palace is located in Udaipur city in the Indian state of Rajasthan. Its construction is credited to three Maharanas of the Sisodia Rajputs of Mewar kingdom. The construction of the palace was started in 1551 by Maharana Amar Singh, continued by Maharana Karan Singh (1620–1628) and finally completed by Maharana Jagat Singh I (1628–1652). It is named as “Jagat Mandir” in honour of the last named Maharana Jagat Singh. The royal family used the palace as a summer resort and pleasure palace for holding parties. The palace served as a refuge to asylum seekers for one occasion. During the revolt in 1857, Maharana Swroop Singh (1842–1861) saved a number of European families, mostly women and children from Neemuch, which were given refuge in the Jag Mandir Palace. The impressive series of structures in the three-storied Jag Mandir Palace include Gul Mahal, which was built first as refuge for prince Khurram; the elegant facade flanked by four carved statues of elephants on either side at the jetty entry on the lake from Udaipur; the Garden Courtyard and the Darikhana on its northern side; Bara Patharon ka Mahal (palace of the 12 stones); the Zenana Mahal – a southern extension to the Gul Mahal; and the Kunwar Pada ka Mahal. The Jag Mandir is approached only by boat from the Bansi Ghat jetty next to the Lake Palace in Udaipur. The 1983 James Bond film, Octopussy featured the Jag Mandir as one of its main locations.
7. Lalgarh Palace, Bikaner
Lalgarh Palace was built for the Maharaja of Bikaner, Sir Ganga Singh. The ruler decided to name the palace after his father Maharaja Lall Singh. The construction began in 1902 and went on for the next 24 years. The Lalgarh Palace is a blend of Rajput, European and Mughal styles of architecture. This style of architecture is called Indo-Saracenic style. Laxmi Niwas Palace is a part of Lalgarh Palace but it has been given on lease and recently is being used as a heritage hotel. The building was commissioned by the British-controlled regency for Maharaja Ganga Singh (1881–1942) while he was still in his minority as they considered the existing Junagarh Fort unsuitable for a modern monarch. At present the palace houses Shri Sadul Museum in the west wing, which contains the fourth largest private library in the world. In one wing the private home of the Bikaner Royal Family. The Lallgarh Palace Hotel is a Heritage hotel is owned and operated by the Maharaja Ganga Singh Ji Trust and marketed by Maharaja Heritage Resorts Limited under a Franchise and Marketing Services Agreement. The Laxmi Niwas Palace is a luxury hotel, owned by Golden Triangle Fort & Palace P. Ltd. The complex was designed by British architect, Sir Samuel Swinton Jacob. After a ritual blessing ceremony construction commenced in 1896 on empty land 5 miles from the existing Junagarh Fort on what is now Dr. Karni Singhji Road. The palace was arranged around two courtyards with the first and most impressive wing, Laxmi Niwas completed in 1902. The remaining three wings were completed in stages with final completion of the complex accomplished in 1926. The palace was originally designed to cost 100,000 rupees but by time of the completion of the first wing the cost had increased to 1 million rupees. Materials of very fine quality were used in its construction, with red sandstone specifically mined from the Thar desert.
8. Rambagh Palace, Jaipur
Rambagh palace stands proudly in the Pink City, yet another excellent example of Rajput architecture. It was the residence of the rulers of Jaipur. This palace was originally built in the middle of a thick forest. The Rambagh Palace evolved over time. At first, it was a single monument that was made into the hunting lodge of a king. This is how the Rambagh palace we get to see now came into existence. The royal family was still staying there until few decades ago. The first building on the site was a garden house built in 1835 for the wet nurse of prince Ram Singh II. In 1887, during the reign of Maharaja Sawai Madho Singh, it was converted into a modest royal hunting lodge, as the house was located in the midst of a thick forest at that time. In the early 20th century, it was expanded into a palace to the designs of Sir Samuel Swinton Jacob. Maharajah Sawai Man Singh II made Rambagh his principal residence and added a number of royal suites in 1931. It is now operated as a five-star hotel by the Taj Hotels Group. Rambagh Palace, also called ‘The Jewel of Jaipur’ has total masterfully restored heritage 33 grand suites and 45 hotel rooms as part of Taj hotels.
9. Hawa Mahal, Jaipur
The word ‘Hawa’ means ‘wind’ and ‘Mahal’ means ‘palace’, therefore it translates to ‘the palace of winds‘. Hawa Mahal owes its name to its structure which consists of 956 windows with very intricate design. Before beginning with the constructions, detailed designs were made to make sure that was is a very well ventilated palace. The shape of Lord Krishna’s crown can be seen as the basic structure. The construction begun in 1799 under the reign of Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh. He had this palace built for his queens and other such important womenfolk. The palace’s locality was also such that when one looks down, they can see the common people’s day to day lives. Therefore, the fort enabled the queens to keep a close watch on the lives of the common people without attracting attention to themselves. The word ‘Hawa’ means ‘wind’ and ‘Mahal’ means ‘palace’, therefore it translates to ‘the palace of winds‘. Hawa Mahal owes its name to its structure which consists of 956 windows with very intricate design. Before beginning with the constructions, detailed designs were made to make sure that was is a very well ventilated palace. The shape of Lord Krishna’s crown can be seen as the basic structure of this fort. The construction had begun in 1799 under the reign of Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh. He had this palace built for his queens and other such important womenfolk. The fort’s locality was also such that when one looks down, they can see the common people’s day to day lives. Therefore, the fort enabled the queens to keep a close watch on the lives of the common people without attracting attention to themselves.
10. City Palace, Jaipur
City Palace, Jaipur was established at the same time as the city of Jaipur, by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, who moved his court to Jaipur from Amber, in 1727.Jaipur is the present-day capital of the state of Rajasthan, and until 1949 the City Palace was the ceremonial and administrative seat of the Maharaja of Jaipur. The Palace was also the location of religious and cultural events, as well as a patron of arts, commerce, and industry. It now houses the Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum, and continues to be the home of the Jaipur royal family. The palace complex has several buildings, various courtyards, galleries, restaurants, and offices of the Museum Trust. The palace complex lies in the heart of Jaipur city, to the northeast of the very centre. The site for the palace was located on the site of a royal hunting lodge on a plain land encircled by a rocky hill range south of Amber. The history of the city palace is closely linked with the history of Jaipur city and its rulers, starting with Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II who ruled from 1699 to 1744. He is credited with initiating construction of city palace building. The outer wall of the complex spreading over many acres. Initially, he ruled from his capital at Amber, which lies at a distance of 11 kilometres from Jaipur. He shifted his capital from Amber to Jaipur in 1727 because of an increase in population and water shortage. He planned Jaipur city in six blocks separated by broad avenues, on the classical basis of principals of Vastushastra and another similar classical treatise under the architectural guidance of Vidyadar Bhattacharya, a Bengali architect from Naihati of present-day West Bengal who was initially an accounts-clerk in the Amber treasury and later promoted to the office of Chief Architect by the King. Following Jai Singh’s death in 1744, there were internecine wars among the Rajput kings of the region but cordial relations were maintained with the British Raj. Maharaja Ram Singh sided with the British in the Sepoy Mutiny or Uprising of 1857 and established himself with the Imperial rulers. It is to his credit that the city of Jaipur including all of its monuments are stucco painted ‘Pink’ leading to the city being called “Pink City”. The change in the colour scheme was as an honor of hospitality extended to the Prince of Wales (who later became King Edward VII) on his visit. This color scheme has since then become a trademark of the Jaipur city.
