If you are a history buff and love understanding how the royals used to live, visits to palaces and forts open windows for you to have glimpses of the bygone era. And if you want to visit palaces, India is the right place. Yes, every stone and every pathway of the Indian palaces exude royalty in every inch, whether it is the interiors or the exteriors. With a plethora of magnificent heritage palaces, you will definitely get the glimpses of life within the walls of these palaces and how opulent the life of the Maharajahs of India was in those times.
Amba Vilas Palace or the Royal Palace of Mysore – Mysore, Karnataka
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The Mysore palace as it is popularly known as is regarded among the most beautiful and stunning palaces of India. The royal family still lives here, which is the Wodeyar dynasty. The city has a good number of palaces and therefore you can also find its name in tourist attractions. The palace was constructed in 1912, and the work began in 1897. The architecture of the palace is hybrid in the sense that you can see Indo – Saracenic revival style or the Indo – Islamic style. The bold elements that you see here are from the Hindu, Gothic, and Islamic style. You can see Chhatris, domes that describe the infusion of different styles and grandeur.
Laxmi Vilas Palace – Baroda, Gujarat
You can say that the Laxmi Vilas Palace is among the biggest palaces in the world. The palace is almost four times that of the Buckingham Palace in England. The rich interiors and the exquisite design of the exteriors are sure to impress you to no end. Today, it is the official residence of the Baroda royal family. Built in 1890, this palace is incredible with its hugeness and the intricate design and architecture that it exudes. The palace comes with the Ind-Saracen style of architecture and elaborate designs within the palace that would befit the king. The park-like grounds is definitely impressive that also includes a golf course as well.
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Umaid Bhawan Palace – Jodhpur, Rajasthan
If you want to know about the largest private residence in the world, then it is the Umaid Bhawan Palace owned by the Royal family of Jodhpur. It is quite a modern palace in the sense that it was built in 1943 and today, the palace has been converted into a Heritage Hotel. Once you enter the premises , you will definitely taste the splendor of royalty and the magnificence of every detail of even the minute things here. Landscaped gardens and the sprawling lawns surrounding the palace truly define royalty here. The architecture here is a perfect blend of Rajput and Victorian architecture. Besides, you cannot miss the Indo- Saracenic style that the architects have used to make it look unique and incredible. You can find modern amenities here with a great blend of Rajasthan’s culture.
Amar Mahal Palace – Jammu
The palace was once the residence of Maharaja Amar Singh. This palace is strikingly beautiful that reminds you of a French Chateau. It is a complete with red sandstone in a great location. The impressive 120 kg-pure-gold throne is the attraction here which is truly magnificent. A part of the palace is today a state museum where you can see unique items of those times. You can see the whole palace reflects the typical European castle style with huge sloping roofs with turrets and towers. This imposing structure has very long passages on three sides and has beautiful columns that come with a wooden framework. What attracts is the unique blend of different styles of architecture and the finish that does not miss the aura.
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Thirumalai Nayak Palace – Madurai, Tamil Nadu
This palace is a 17th-century palace that was completed in 1636 by Thirumalai Nayak. Here, you see the classic fusion of Rajput and Dravidian style. It is without doubt among the wonders of the south Indian palaces. It is a 375-year-old monument that depicts the glorious years of the Nayak dynasty. That palace simply enthralls visitors by its beautiful architecture that is a blend of three major cultures. You can see the distinct Indo – Saracenic architecture in the arches and domes and the Gothic styles in the massive pillar columns.
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Ujjayanta Palace – Agartala, Tripura
Built by the Maharaja Radha Kishore Manikya, the palace is a magnificent example of Indo – Saracenic architectural style of architecture. It was the royal residence which has seen opulent lifestyle and riches. It comes with Greek carvings, huge gardens, pools, springs, arched wooden ceiling and palatial interiors. Here, you can find various temples of Goddess Laxmi, Uma-Maheshwari, Kai, and Jagannath.
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Jai Vila Palace – Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh
Built in 1874, the palace stands testimony to the riches and grandeur of the by-gone era. The distinct architecture is a fine blend of Italian, Tuscan and Corinthian style. The impressive building was constructed over a total size of 12, 40,771 square feet of land. The palace is remarkable in the sense that you see different styles in the whole palace, and yet it is simply stunning. Jayajirao Scindia built the palace as his residence and today the descendants live here. The palace has 400 rooms that are truly mesmerizing with chandelier, Italian marble, tiles and beautiful furniture to suit the royalty.
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Lake Palace – Udaipur, Rajasthan
The Lake palace is today known as the most beautiful romantic hotel in the world. It was built in 1746 by Maharana Jagat Singh II of Udaipur as a winter palace. The palace is built right in the middle of Pichola Lake on an island. The palace is totally made of marble which you can reach by a short boat trip. It was the perfect pleasure palace of the Maharaja Jagat Sing II. The architecture is splendid with the imposing Aravalli hills on one side and the soaring palaces on the other. The palace has several rooms, beautiful fountains, terraces, numerous columns and exotic rooms.
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Falaknuma Palace – Hyderabad
The Falaknuma Palace in Hyderabad was built by the Paigah, Nawad Vikar – ul- Umra, but was purchased by Nizam VI in 1897. The palace was designed by an Italian architect in typical western style. The palace contains Italian marble and lavish decoration with western architectural style. The palace still houses a rare collection of the NIzam’s paintings, furniture, statues and the Jade collection.
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Cooch Behar Palace – Cooch Behar, West Bengal
You will definitely find a striking resemblance to the Buckingham palace in London. The Cooch Behar Palace or the Victor Jubilee palace is a major landmark in the state. Its elegance and grandeur are unparalleled to any other palace. It was constructed by Maharaja Nirpendra Narayan in 1887. It’s a marvelous palace with classical western style architecture.
https://coochbehar-palace.blogspot.in
The grandeur of Indian royals can be best witnessed through these grand palaces which are the remarkable blend of great architecture and passion!