Astounding palaces of Rajasthan which are not a palace anymore | Umaid Palace | Chomu Palace

Written by Haritha Sivakumar

Rajasthan, a celebrated state of India, is bordered by the most beautiful, the Thar Desert, and a state with one of the most stunning architecture using sandstone. This is the largest state of our country, spreading across 342,239 km² while sharing international borders with Pakistan, and has 26 districts. Moving from one place to another, one cannot stop wondering about the excellence of architecture, the history behind those walls, the talent behind those designs, and the vision behind those people who ruled out land during those times. 

However, as the necessity of the Monarch decreased over time, the grand palace complexes became useless. Thus, Eva discusses one such unique palace commercialized in the current days of Rajasthan.

• Umaid Palace, a heritage hotel / museum .

  
  

Gleaming in golden sandstone, the Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur sits high above the Blue City- amid 26 acres of gardens. Even today, it remains an active royal residence with family members residing in their own wing. The palace features 347 rooms, a museum, and a vintage car collection. 

This architectural marvel, Umaid Palace, was built under the patronage of Maharaja Umaid Singh between the years- 1929 and 1943. It was designed by the famous architect Henry Lanchester, and today, the palace is managed by the Taj Hotels.

In 1929, when Rajasthan faced one of the deadliest famine and drought, the people of Jodhpur requested the Maharaj to support them financially instead of providing the villages with rations. Hence, Maharaj Umaid Singh decided to build this palace as a source of employment for the villages, but as the palace area was on a hill, they had to build railways to bring in water and loads. After years of struggles, the palace was inaugurated in 1943. 

The palace boasts an impressive array of classic cars, which was a passion of Maharaja Umaid Singh. These vintage automobiles provide a glimpse into the history of the royal family and include well-preserved models from the early 20th century, such as the 1939 Cadillac Series 75, the 1946 V12 Lincoln Continental, and the 1934 Rolls-Royce Phantom II.

Find more such content in our BeTales Nov 24 Issue 02. Contact this number 9496431582 to place an order.