Royal Oasis

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Royal Oasis
General information
Town or city Wankaner
Country India
Website
https://www.wankanerheritagehotels.com/

Royal Oasis in Wankaner, Gujarat, India, was the former summer residence of the erstwhile royal family of Wankaner. It now operates as a heritage hotel.

History

The history of the Royal Oasis begins in the 1870s when Banesinhji erected a single-storey bungalow in colonial-style architecture for resting and named it Garden House. [1] After Banesinhji, his son and successor, Amarsinhji continued using it for the same purpose and would host his guests there. [1] In 1917, when Amarsinhji's daughter married Purna Chandra Bhanj Deo, the Maharaja of Mayurbhanj, he hosted them there and named it Purna Chandra Bhawan after his son-in-law. [1] [2] Purna Chandra Bhawan means full-moon house. [3] In the 1930s, Amarsinhji commissioned the Chief Engineer of Wankaner State to build an extension to the original building, which consisted of two large suites, four other bedrooms, and additional rooms. [1] Afterward, Art Deco furniture was imported for it. [1] It is decorated with hunting trophies, weapons, and vintage cars. [4]

The family used it as their retreat during summer. [5] In 1972, Pratapsinhji gifted it to his son, Digvijaysinhji, who opened it as a hotel. [1] It is now a two-storey block in cream and white stucco with Corinthian plaster details. [6] It also has a swimming pool and spans an area of 225 acres. [1] [7]

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Sugich, Michael (1992). Palaces of India : a traveller's companion featuring the palace hotels. Internet Archive. London : Pavilion. pp. 89–90. ISBN   978-1-85145-520-1.
  2. Raulet, Sylvie; Garde, Anne (1997). Maharajas' Palaces: European Style in Imperial India. Vendome Press. p. 222. ISBN   978-0-86565-989-6.
  3. Baroda), Fatesinhrao Gaekwad (Maharaja of (1980). The Palaces of India. Vendome Press. p. 183. ISBN   978-0-86565-007-7.
  4. Bradnock, Robert; Bradnock, Roma (1996). India handbook. Internet Archive. Lincolnwood, IL. : Published in North America by Passport Books. p. 1367. ISBN   978-0-8442-4908-7.
  5. Alastair Sawday's special places to stay, India. Internet Archive. Bristol : Alastair Sawday. 2003. p. 96. ISBN   978-1-901970-41-8.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  6. The Penguin guide to the monuments of India. Internet Archive. London, England ; New York, N.Y., USA : Viking. 1989. p. 399. ISBN   978-0-670-80696-6.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  7. "Royal Oasis Wankaner". gujrattourism. Retrieved 13 January 2025.

22°37′29″N70°55′58″E / 22.62466°N 70.93265°E / 22.62466; 70.93265