25°12′36″N 75°51′53″E / 25.2100204°N 75.8647693°E / 25.2100204; 75.8647693

The front of the Umed Bhawan Palace
The large courtyard of the Umed Bhawan Palace
A smaller courtyard in the Umed Bhawan Palace
Langurs are frequent visitors to the palace

The Umed Bhawan Palace in the outskirts of Kota, Rajasthan is a former residence of the Maharadja of Kota. Nowadays, the palace is partly converted into a heritage hotel. The palace is surrounded by a large park.

History

At the start of the twentieth century, Maharao Umed Singh II (1889-1940) commissioned the construction of a new palace as alternative for the fortified Kota city palace in Kota, which dated from the 17th century.[1][2] He engaged as architect the British engineer Samuel Swinton Jacob who was based in Jaipur.[1][2] In 1905, the maharadja moved to his new palace.[2] The complex was named after its commissioner.[2]

Samuel Swinton Jacob designed the palace in an Indo-Saracenic style.[1][2] Although, the palace is European in conception, its exterior is decorated with Rajput and Mughal details such as verandas and porches, arches, minarets and towers topped with chhatris.[1][2] The exterior primarily consists of pink sandstone intertwined with white Khimach stones and Italian marble.[1][2] The complex is arranged around various courtyards.[1] The larger one leading to the main state rooms of the palace.[1][2]

In 1930, the architect George Devon was engaged to expand the palace to provide accommodation for the future maharadja Bhim Singh II (1909 – 1991) and his bride.[3] The architect took great care to blend the new parts with the old parts designed by Samuel Jacob.[3] This part of the palace is still used by the royal family of Kota.[3]

After the independence of India, the palace has been sold.[4] Part of the palace is now operated as a hotel.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Umaid Bhawan, [Kota] 4304032". www.bl.uk. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Martinelli, Antonio; Michell, George (2004). Palaces of Rajasthan. London: Frances Lincoln. p. 269. ISBN 0-7112-2505-2.
  3. 1 2 3 "Umed Bhawan Palace". www.hotelsrajasthan.net. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  4. ↑ "Umed Bhawan at Heritagehotelsofindia.com". www.heritagehotelsofindia.com. Retrieved 23 April 2023.

Literature

  • Martinelli, Antonio; Michell, George (2004). Palaces of Rajasthan. London: Frances Lincoln. p. 269. ISBN 0-7112-2505-2.

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