Umaid Bhawan in Rajasthan

The Umaid Bhawan Palace, in Jodhpur, was constructed for a unique cause. The construction of the palace was started to provide relief to the people of the state, who were caught in the grip of a famine. Thousands of people worked on the construction site for over a decade and a half, and got food in return for their labor. What did the three thousand odd people create over such a long period, and at such great financial cost? They built the second largest residence in the world, spreading over 30 acres of land - no mean feat considering that the kingdom was in the grip of famine.

The palace was built on the orders of Umaid Singh, the then ruler of Jodhpur, in the early part of the twentieth century. What the palace lacks in terms of antiquity, it makes up for in terms of size and opulence. The architects of this palace were a professional firm in London, who drew up the drafts for the palace. The amalgamation of British and traditional Indian architectural styles shaped the unique interiors and façade of the palace. The brilliant Art Deco style, then popular in much of the Western world, found a place in the palace blueprints.

Today, visitors can see the cozy library, paneled with wood. The throne room has murals depicting the events mentioned in the Ramayana, the grand Indian epic. The palace also has a museum displaying the documents, letters, and costumes from the times of Umaid Singh. You can also see the gifts presented to the king by various monarchs and titled people from around the world.

The palace is a treasure trove of old clocks, ceramics, furniture, and cut glass items. Another fine collection here is that of some rare rocks. It is easy to see that Umaid Singh was a connoisseur of art and all things fine, and an avid collector too.

Once the princely estates were taken away from the kings as India gained independence and became a democracy, the descendants of Umaid Singh turned the palace into a heritage hotel. The hotel is run by the Taj Group, and guests have the privilege of staying at a room or suite that once housed a royal; very little in the rooms have changed since then.