India have a long and rich history which is filled with stories of extravagant Kings, Maharajas and Nizams. While they are perhaps best known for their imposing forts and buildings (such as Rajasthan’s Amber Fort, Delhi’s Red Fort and Hyderabad’s Golconda Fort etc), this rich and glorious past of india has also left behind many stunning royal palaces in India. Though many have now been converted to new purposes like hotels, resorts etc. you can see what remains of opulent and luxurious lifestyle of these great and royals.
These are some of the most famous royal palaces in India that you must visit:
1. Umaid Bhawan Palace – Jodhpur, Rajasthan
On the top Chittar hill over the blue city of Jodhpur is the Umaid Bhawan Palace. Completed in 1943 and covering around 26 acres of land, it is known for its stunning mixture of Indo-Saracenic, Western Art Deco and Classical Revival styles of architecture. Owned by Maharaja Gaj Singh, it is one of the largest private residences in the world. Its 347 rooms feature all kinds of exhibits, including stuffed leopards, classic cars, and clocks. A part of the palace is also a heritage hotel in it.
2. Mysore Palace – Mysore, Karnataka
Located in the heart of the Mysore city, the magnificent Mysore Palace is truly wonderful. Also known as the Ambavilas Palace, it was designed by Henry Irving and was being completed in 1912. Built in the Indo-Saracenic style, its distinctive domes and turrets and full of amazing design and art from different corners of the world. The three-storey palace also has some courtyards, two large durbar halls, twelve Hindu temples, and even an antique dolls pavilion.
3. Chowmahalla Palace – Hyderabad, Telangana
Built across 40 acres, this 18th-century palace is a mix of Mughal and Persian designs. It is splited into two courtyards and is known for its exquisite antique furniture, Belgian-crystal chandeliers, and many royal artefacts including a 1911 yellow Rolls Royce. It was once the official residence of the Nizams of the Asaf Jahi dynasty and hosted many grand celebrations in it.
4. Hazarduari Palace – Murshidabad, West Bengal
This imposing royal palace was built in the 1830s by British architect Duncan Macleod for Nawab Nazim Humayun Jah of Bengal. Also called the Nizamat Kila, it is part of a large complex east bank of the Bhagirathi River that also houses the Nizamat Imambara (a congregation hall by muslims, shia) and the Wasif Manzil. The palace is now a museum with around 20 galleries displaying all kinds of paintings, weaponry, furniture, statues, manuscripts, and more. Don’t miss the massive crystal chandelier in the Durbar Hall which is said to have been given to the Nawab Nazim Humayun Jah by Queen Victoria.
5. City Palace – Jaipur, Rajasthan
At the very heart of the old city of Jaipur lies the remarkable City Palace. This sprawling complex of courtyards and gardens features a mix of Rajasthani and Mughal styles and was built by the Rajput king Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh in 1732. Don’t miss the Mubarak Mahal, the Armoury, Chandra Mahal, and the Diwan-i-Am, the uniquely designed peacock gateways, and the museums and galleries out there.
6. Padmanabhapuram Palace – Thuckalay, Tamil Nadu
Near the city of Thiruvananthapuram lies Padmanabhapuram, the former capital city of the Kingdom of Travancore. The Padmanabhapuram Palace (also known as Kalkulam Palace) was built in 17th century and is known for its wonderful murals and floral carvings and sculpted interiors. Explore the many rooms of the palace and their black granite floors over there.
7. Lake Palace – Udaipur, Rajasthan
Lake palace was built in the 18th century, Udaipur’s famous Lake Palace (previously known as Jag Niwas) is located on the scenic Lake Pichola. It was the summer palace of the royals of Mewar, it is now a popular Hotel run by the Taj Group. The luxurious white marble building spans 4 acres and has 83 rooms, each room of which is beautifully adorned. The walls themselves are decorated with semi-precious stones and ornamented niches, and enclose all kinds of courtyards, terraces, and gardens. Do not miss the nearby Jag Mandir (also called the “Lake Garden Palace”).
8. Jai Vilas Mahal – Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh
The magnificent Jai Vilas Mahal was built in the 19th century for the Maharaja of Gwalior, Jayajirao Sc India. Featuring the best of European architecture, this three-story beautiful palace features many lavish decorations, such as gold furnishings and exquisite chandeliers in it. The palace is now a museum, with exhibits focused of old weaponry, historic documents, and other artefacts.
9. Falaknuma Palace – Hyderabad, Telangana
The Falaknuma Palace also known as Taj Falaknuma is a large and magnificent palace near Charminar Hyderabad. It was built by Sir Viqar-ul-Umra and later belonged to the Paigah family and the Nizams. The palace is famous for its interiors, which are full of Venetian chandeliers, Roman pillars, intricate statues and art, and exquisite period furnishings. Covering 32 acres of land, the palace and its grounds are also home to Japanese, Mughal and Rajasthani gardens. It is now a hotel and is open for the local public.
10. Bangalore Palace – Bangalore, Karnataka
Being inspired by Windsor Castle, the splendid Bangalore Palace was built in 1878 as the private residence of the Wodeyars, the maharajas of the state of Mysore. The palace features beautiful carvings both inside and outside, as well as paintings by the famous Raja Ravi Verma. You can explore the lavish furniture and hunting memorabilia, and even get an audio guide to know the tour details.
11. Vijaya Vilas Palace – Mandavi, Gujarat
Vijaya Vilas Palace was built in the 1920s, this stunning palace was built by Maharao Shri Khengarji III of Kutch as a summer retreat for his son. It is known for its use of red sandstone, and the exquisite coloured glass windows and carved stone screens that adorn it. There are also wonderful gardens, a museum, and a private beach. After the earthquakes in Gujarat in 2001 damaged the other palace of the royal family of Kutch, it has also become their primary residence. The palace has also been used in many Bollywood films, most famously in Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam and Lagaan.
12. Kuthiramalika Palace – Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
Kuthiramalika Palace is located near the Padmanabhaswamy temple in Thiruvananthapuram Kerala is the Kuthiramalika Palace. It was built by Swathi Thirunal Rama Verma, the ruler of the Kingdom of Travancore, in the 19th century. It is known for its traditional Kerala architecture (with sloping roofs and enclosed courtyards) and for the horses carved into the wooden brackets. The palace is part of a vast complex of royal buildings but was mostly abandoned after the death of Maharaja Swathi Thirunal in 1846. Now restored, it is a museum filled with furniture, statues, paintings, galleries and other artefacts of the popular Travancore Royal Family.
13. Cooch Behar Palace – Cooch Behar, West Bengal
Cooch Behar Palace is the grand and elegant palace was built in the 1880s for the Maharajas of the princely state of Cooch Behar. It is modelled after the Buckingham Palace in London, and it has many halls and rooms which are filled with wonderful chandeliers, paintings and photographs. A part of the palace is now a museum.
14. Rambagh Palace – Jaipur, Rajasthan
Rambagh Palace was once a royal hunting lodge of the Maharaja of Jaipur, the 19th century Rambagh Palace was greatly expanded in the 1930s by Maharajah Sawai Man Singh II. It is full of opulent rooms, lush gardens, and marbled corridors. The palace is now a hotel managed by the Taj Group.
15. Ujjayanta Palace – Agartala, Tripura
The Ujjayanta Palace in Agartala in Tripura state was once the residence of the royal family of the Kingdom of Tripura. Constructed between 1899 and 1901 by Maharaja Radha Kishore Manikya, it sits beside two serene lakes and is surrounded by lush green Mughal-style gardens. The palace itself is in the neoclassical style and was designed by Sir Alexander Martin was the kingdom of Tripura . It later housed the State Legislative Assembly of Tripura and is now a museum dedicated to the culture of northeast India.
Are there any other famous royal palaces in India that we’ve missed? If so, be sure to share them in the comments below.
