Udai Bilas Palace

Last updated

Udai Bilas Palace
Udai Bilas Palace Dungarpur 14.jpg
Udai Bilas Palace
General information
Architectural style Rajput architecture
Town or city Dungarpur
Country India
Owner Harshvardhan Singh
Website
https://udaibilaspalace.com

Udai Bilas Palace in Dungarpur, Rajasthan is the principal residence of the former royal family of Dungarpur and operates as a heritage hotel. A part of the palace is a museum.

Contents

History

It was constructed in the mid-19th century by Maharawal Udai Singh II, after whom it is named. [1] [2] It was built at a cost of over a lakh of rupees. [3] It was later expanded by his descendants. [2] Three new wings were added between 1940 and 1944. [4] It was originally a weekend retreat for the royal family from the 13th-century Juna Mahal. [4] Previously, the family resided at Juna Mahal; however, they relocated here in the mid-20th century. [5]

During the princely era, a force numbering between 59 and 101 over the years was employed to mount guard at the Udai Bilas and the old palaces. [6] [7] [8] It also provided escorts to the Maharawal and Maharani. [6] [7] [8]

Architecture

It is built in the classic Rajput architectural style. [2] The structure features intricate designs on its balconies, arches, and windows. [2] It is located next to Gaib Sagar Lake. [9] One of its wings, built using the local bluish-grey stone known as pareva, overlooks the lake. [2] The palace is divided into three sections: Raniwas, Udai Bilas, and Ek Thambiya Mahal. [2]

Interior

Its interior features a fusion of Indian and European styles. [4] Its rooms have British floral wallpapers and art deco furniture. [4] The rooms feature decorative mirrorwork and stained glass. [4] African room at the palace houses one of the best collections of hunting trophies in the world. [4] [10]

Structures within the complex

Ek Thambiya Mahal

Ek Thambiya Mahal (meaning: single-pillared palace), [11] also known as Krishna Prakash, was built by Maharawal Shiv Singh between 1730 and 1785 in memory of Gyan Kanwar as Shivjaneshwar Shivalay. [2] [12] It features intricately sculpted pillars and panels, ornate balconies, balustrades, bracketed windows, arches, and a frieze of marble carvings. [2]

Shiva Rajeshwar temple

Maharawal Shiv Singh constructed a temple dedicated to Shiva Rajeshwar at the southeastern edge of Gaib Sagar Lake. [3] Now located within the Udai Bilas precincts, this temple once hosted an annual month-long fair. [3]

Dungarpur Mews

The palace also houses a museum featuring classic and vintage cars, known as Dungarpur Mews. [11] [13] It also has a car bar. [13]

Maharani Manhar Kumari Museum

The palace also houses a museum named after Manhar Kumari, the daughter of Madan Singh, Maharaja of Kishangarh, and his wife Ankaran Bai, who was the daughter of Fateh Singh, Maharana of Udaipur. [14] [15] Manhar Kumari was married to Laxman Singh, the Maharawal of Dungarpur. [15] It was opened to the public on 31 May 2015 by Mahipal Singh. [16]

References

  1. ↑ Betts, Vanessa; McCulloch, Victoria (27 September 2013). India - The North: Forts, Palaces, the Himalaya Dream Trip. Footprint Travel Guides. p. 117. ISBN   978-1-907263-74-3.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 RajRAS (2 March 2018). Art Architecture & Culture of Rajasthan. RajRAS. pp. 75–76.
  3. 1 2 3 Xxxxxxxx (1911). Short History Of The Dungarpur State. pp. 86–89, 123.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Wilson, Henry (2001). India : decoration, interiors, design. Internet Archive. New York : Watson-Guptill Publications. p. 64. ISBN   978-0-8230-2513-8.
  5. ↑ "The Juna Mahal at Dungarpur". Trotting on. 5 May 2020. Retrieved 24 November 2024.
  6. 1 2 Not Available (1915). Report On The Administration Of The Dungarpur State, Rajputana, For 1914-15. p. 38.
  7. 1 2 Not Available (1914). Report On The Administration Of The Dungarpur State, Rajputana For 1913-14. pp. 49–50.
  8. 1 2 Not Available (1919). Report On The Administration Of The Dungarpur State, Rajputana. pp. 25–26.
  9. ↑ Country Life. Country Life, Limited. 1998. p. 22.
  10. ↑ Meola, Eric (2013). India : in word & image. Internet Archive. New York : Welcome Books. p. 175. ISBN   978-1-59962-128-9.
  11. 1 2 "Dungarpur's grandeur dazzles". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 24 November 2024.
  12. ↑ ANSHDEEP (1 June 2024). RAJASTHAN GK. 50 DISTRICTS | ENGLISH MEDIUM: UPDATED EDITION 2024. Intend Education. p. 51.
  13. 1 2 "Dungarpur Mews: A Place To Discover The World Of Automobilia". deRivaz & Ives. 8 December 2023. Retrieved 24 November 2024.
  14. ↑ Ojha, Abhilasha (9 June 2016). "How to Restore Your Palace: Inside India's Stately Mansions | AD India". Architectural Digest India. Retrieved 23 February 2025.
  15. 1 2 Relia, Anil; Soni, Sonika (12 February 2016). The Indian Portrait - 8: Rajputana Nayak | Paintings from the Royal courts of Rajasthan. Archer Art Gallery. p. 189. ISBN   978-81-931718-0-6.
  16. ↑ editor (10 August 2010). "Jagatdhatrimata Trust, Udai Bilas Palace Collection, Dungarpur - Eka Resources" . Retrieved 23 February 2025.{{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)

23°50′15″N73°43′22″E / 23.8376°N 73.7228°E / 23.8376; 73.7228

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.