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{{Short description|Palatial hilltop residence in Udaipur, Rajasthan}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2017}}
{{Use Indian English|date=April 2017}}
{{Infobox building
| name = Monsoon Palace
| image = Monsoon Palace.jpg
| alt = View of Sajjan Garh Palace on hill top
| caption = Monsoon Palace of Udaipur on the hill top
| pushpin_map = Rajasthan#India
| coordinates = {{coord|24.594|73.639|region:IN-RJ|display=inline}}
| location_town = [[Udaipur]]
| location_country = India
| architect = [[Maharana]] Sajjan Singh
| client = [[Mewar]] [[dynasty]]
| engineer =
| construction_start_date = 1884
| completion_date = Nineteenth century
| demolished_date =
| owner = [[Government of India]]
| cost =
| structural_system = Marble and masonry
| architectural_style = [[Rajput]] [[Architecture]]
| size =
}}
[[File:Monsoon Palace Udaipur, Front Entrance.jpg|thumb|upright|Front entrance|alt=Front entrance of monsoon palace]]
The '''Monsoon Palace''', also known as the '''Sajjan Garh Palace''', is a hilltop palatial residence in the city of [[Udaipur, Rajasthan]] in [[India]], overlooking the [[Fateh Sagar Lake]]. It is named ''Sajjangarh'' after [[Maharana]] Sajjan Singh (1874–1884) of the [[Mewar]] [[dynasty]], whom it was built for in 1884. The palace offers a panoramic view of the city's lakes, palaces and surrounding countryside. It was built chiefly to watch the monsoon clouds; hence, appropriately, it is popularly known as Monsoon Palace. It is said that the Maharana built it at the top of the hill to get a view of his ancestral home, [[Chittorgarh]]. Previously owned by the Mewar royal family, it is now under the control of the Forest Department of the [[Government of Rajasthan]] and has recently been opened to the public. The palace provides a beautiful view of the sunset.<ref name=sajjan>{{Cite web|url=http://www.rajasthantourism.gov.in/Destinations/Udaipur/Sajjangarh.aspx|title=Sajjangarh|access-date=2009-11-13|publisher=Rajasthan Tourism|archive-date=29 October 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091029111035/http://www.rajasthantourism.gov.in/Destinations/Udaipur/Sajjangarh.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=udai>{{Cite web|url=http://www.rajasthantourism.gov.in/Destinations/Udaipur.aspx|title=Udaipur|access-date=2009-11-13|publisher=Rajasthan Tourism|archive-date=14 November 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091114005850/http://www.rajasthantourism.gov.in/Destinations/Udaipur.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=monsoon>{{Cite web|url=http://www.asiarooms.com/travel-guide/india/udaipur/sightseeing-in-udaipur/monsoon-palace-(sajjan-garh).html|title=Monsoon Palace (Sajjan Garh)|access-date=2009-11-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090515012816/http://www.asiarooms.com/travel-guide/india/udaipur/sightseeing-in-udaipur/monsoon-palace-(sajjan-garh).html|archive-date=15 May 2009|url-status=usurped}}</ref><ref name= Bindloss>{{Cite book|last= Bindloss|first= Joe |author2=Sarina Singh |title=India|work=Sajjan Garh|page=[https://archive.org/details/lonelyplanetindi00sari/page/221 221]|url=https://archive.org/details/lonelyplanetindi00sari|url-access= registration|quote= Monsoon Palace.|publisher=Lonely Planet|year=2007|isbn=9781741043082}}</ref><ref name=Stott>{{Cite book|last=Stott|first=David|title=Footprint Rajasthan|work=Monsoon Palace|page=194|access-date=2009-11-14|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=igdKYE-fNcAC&q=Monsoon+Palace&pg=PA194|publisher=Footprint Travel Guides|year=2007|isbn=9781906098070|archive-date=19 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201219234140/https://books.google.com/books?id=igdKYE-fNcAC&q=Monsoon+Palace&pg=PA194|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=Mewar>{{Cite web|url=http://www.eternalmewar.in/User/Research/WikiDescription.aspx?Id=Sajjangarh|title=Sajjangarh|access-date=2009-11-14|publisher=Eteranl Mewar|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721155546/http://www.eternalmewar.in/User/Research/WikiDescription.aspx?Id=Sajjangarh|archive-date=21 July 2011|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name=Singh/>{{excessive citations inline|date=April 2025}}

Its builder, [[Sajjan Singh of Udaipur|Maharana Sajjan Singh]], originally planned to make it a five-storey astronomical centre. The plan was cancelled with Maharana Sajjan Singh's premature death. It was then turned into a monsoon palace and hunting lodge.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://tourism.rajasthan.gov.in/udaipur/20/monsoon-palace|title=Monsoon Palace AKA Sajjangarh Fort, Udaipur - Rajasthan Tourism|website=tourism.rajasthan.gov.in|language=en-IN|access-date=2016-11-16|archive-date=16 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161116164052/http://tourism.rajasthan.gov.in/udaipur/20/monsoon-palace|url-status=live}}</ref>

High in the [[Aravalli Hills]], just outside Udaipur, the palace is illuminated in the evenings, giving a golden orange glow (see image in the infobox).<ref name =fodders>{{Cite web|url=http://www.fodors.com/world/asia/india/rajasthan-and-gujarat/review-110589.html|title=Sajjan Garh|access-date=2009-11-14|archive-date=6 October 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091006075343/http://www.fodors.com/world/asia/india/rajasthan-and-gujarat/review-110589.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
The palace appeared in the 1983 [[James Bond]] film ''[[Octopussy]]'' as the residence of [[Kamal Khan (character)|Kamal Khan]] (Portrayed by [[Louis Jourdan]]), an exiled Afghan prince.

==History==
The history of the palace reflects the history of the [[Mewar|Mewar kingdom]]. Maharana Sajjan Singh, (b. 18 July 1859 d. 23 December 1884), the initial builder of the Monsoon Palace was the seventy–second ruler of the Mewar dynasty (1874–1884) and ruled from Udaipur for a short period of 10 years until his untimely death. The Mewar dynasty traces its history to Guhil, who founded the [[Mewar|Mewar State]] in 568 AD.<ref name=Singh>{{Cite web|url=http://www.eternalmewar.in/User/Research/WikiDescription.aspx?Id=S|title=Encyclopedia –Sajjan Singh, Maharana|access-date=2009-11-14|publisher=Mewar Encyclopedia|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721155635/http://www.eternalmewar.in/User/Research/WikiDescription.aspx?Id=S|archive-date=21 July 2011|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
Sajjan Singh came to the throne when he was 15 years old. However, his uncle Sohan Singh challenged his right to the crown and even plotted through astrologers, who said the timing for the coronation was not appropriate. Fortunately for him the then British agent, who was in favour of Sajjan Singh, intervened and persuaded the astrologers to give a favourable date for the crowning. The eventual Coronation of Sajjan Singh took place two years after this. As the trouble-maker uncle was still persisting with his obstructions towards the newly crowned Maharana, his property was confiscated and he was eventually imprisoned.

After he was invested in 1876 as Maharana, he was considered an enlightened ruler and a "man of vision"{{by whom|date=June 2015}}, he launched a massive programme of developmental activities in his kingdom, in particular, enlarging infrastructure facilities such as roads, water supply and other civil works. He also introduced civil administration and courts. He also improved the general environment of Udaipur by afforestation and lake improvements. He had [[Lake Pichola]] desilted and the masonry dam re-built to improve storage capacity, as well as preserving the historical heritage in line with his personal interest in the arts and culture. The most ambitious project he undertook was building the Sajjan Garh Palace, or the Monsoon Palace, as a western backdrop to Udaipur city.

It was during Sajjan Singh's rule that Udaipur gained recognition as the second Municipality in India, after [[Mumbai|Bombay]]. In recognition of his outstanding achievements in preserving and developing the Mewar kingdom, and to remind him that his was a princely state under the [[British Raj]], he was conferred the title of "Grand Commander of the Star of India" in November 1881 by [[George Robinson, 1st Marquess of Ripon|Lord Ripon]], on the occasion of [[Victoria of the United Kingdom|Queen Victoria]]'s crowning as the [[Empress of India]].<ref name=Singh/>

==Structure==
[[File:Sajjan garh.jpg|thumb|upright|Monsoon Palace|alt=Monsoon palace at evening with interior lights on]]
The palace, built with white marble, is located on Bansdara peak of the Aravalli hill range at an elevation of 944 m (3100 ft) above mean sea level, overlooking [[Lake Pichola]] from the west about {{convert|1100|ft|m|abbr=on}} below the palace. The intention of the original planner, Maharana Sajjan Singh, was to build a nine-storey complex, basically as an [[astronomical]] centre and to keep track of the movement of [[monsoon]] clouds in the area surrounding the palace, and also to provide employment to people. It was also meant to serve as a resort for the royal family. Unfortunately, the Maharana died prematurely at the age of 26 (after only 10 years of rule between 1874 and 1884), which resulted in the shelving of his plans for some time. Before his death, he had built it partially, and it was subsequently completed by his successor king [[Maharana Fateh Singh]] who used it to watch the monsoon clouds. The royal family also used this building as a hunting lodge.<ref name=sajjan/><ref name=monsoon/><ref name=Mewar/><ref name=Singh/><ref name =fodders/>
The white marble palace has high turrets and guards regulating each of the towers. The palace has a grand central court with a staircase and many rooms and quarters. The palace is built on marble pillars, which are carved with exquisite motifs of leaves and flowers. The walls are plastered with lime mortar. At night, the illuminated palace with the Rajasthani architecture comprising domes, fountains and [[jharoka]]s gives it a "fairy tale beauty".{{tone inline|date=November 2023}}<ref name=monsoon/><ref name=garden/>
[[File:Monsoon palace,Udaipur.jpg|thumb|center|upright=2.5|alt=Monsoon palace panoramic view]]
A unique water harvesting structure to collect rainwater in an underground cistern, with a storage capacity of 195,500 litres, exists in the precincts of the palace. In spite of this, the water supply was found to be inadequate and the palace was therefore abandoned.<ref name=garden>{{Cite web|url=http://www.gardenvisit.com/garden/sajjan_garh_monsoon_palace|title=Sajjan Garh Palace|work=Gardenvisit Editorial|access-date=2009-11-13|archive-date=6 January 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100106194904/http://www.gardenvisit.com/garden/sajjan_garh_monsoon_palace|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=sajan>{{Cite web|url=http://www.udaipur-travel.com/monsoon_palace_udaipur.htm|title=Sajjangarh Fort (Monsoon Palace) in Udaipur|access-date=2009-11-19|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101104055800/http://www.udaipur-travel.com/monsoon_palace_udaipur.htm|archive-date=4 November 2010|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

==Other attractions==
[[File:Udaïpur palais de la mousson.jpg|thumb|left|View of [[Udaipur|Udaipur city]] from the Monsoon Palace|alt=View of Udaipur city from the Monsoon Palace]]
Sajjangarh Wildlife Sanctuary, which encircles the palace, was established in 1987. It covers an area of {{convert|5.19|km2|mi2}}. It is now a well-protected sanctuary, with the Kishan Pol concrete wall surrounding it. The hillside is thickly wooded and the former rulers maintained this area as a royal shooting preserve. When Udaipur was attacked by the [[Scindia]]s in 1764, the hill was used as an ordnance dump; some cannons still remain.<ref name="sanctuary">{{Cite web |title=Sajjangarh Sanctuary |date=December 2023 |url=https://vnvtours.com/sajjangarh-palace-monsoon-palace-udaipur/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231226092757/https://vnvtours.com/sajjangarh-palace-monsoon-palace-udaipur/ |archive-date=26 December 2023 |access-date=2023-12-26 |df=dmy-all}}</ref>

The palace overlooks the sanctuary, which is a reserve for [[reptiles]], [[tiger]]s, [[nilgai]], [[sambar (deer)|sambhar deer]], [[wild boar]]s, [[hyena]]s, [[Panthera|panther]]s, and [[jackal]]s. It is also popular for bird watching.<ref name=sanctuary/><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mekonginfo.org/mrc_en/doclib.nsf/0/B41739C3274F6B074725726F000EB428/$FILE/FULLTEXT.pdf|title=An Annotated Study Of Mammalian Fauna of the Sajjangarh Wildlife Sanctuary, Udaipur, Rajasthan (India)|access-date=2009-11-14|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716060821/http://www.mekonginfo.org/mrc_en/doclib.nsf/0/B41739C3274F6B074725726F000EB428/$FILE/FULLTEXT.pdf|archive-date=16 July 2011|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
The reserve can also be approached by a trek (as an adventure) starting from the Gorilla Point to the Jiyan Sagar or the Bari Lake, to view the Aravalli hills and the wildlife of the reserve forest.{{tone inline|date=November 2023}}<ref name=sanctuary/>

==In popular culture==
[[File:Monsoon Palace3.jpg|thumb|Monsoon Palace|alt=Monsoon palace entrance against backdrop of cloudy skies]]
The Monsoon Palace was used as a location for the filming of the 1983 [[James Bond]] film, ''[[Octopussy]]''. It appears as the residence of the principal villain, an exiled Afghan prince named [[Kamal Khan (character)|Kamal Khan]] ([[Louis Jourdan]]).<ref name="MI6">{{cite web|url=http://www.mi6.co.uk/sections/movies/op_locations.php3|title=Location Guide - Octopussy|publisher=mi6.co.uk|access-date=2009-11-14|archive-date=19 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201219234153/http://www.mi6.co.uk/sections/movies/op_locations.php3|url-status=usurped}}</ref> Sequences shot at the palace include a 'tiger' hunt on [[elephant]]s where James Bond ([[Roger Moore]]) escapes from the palace and is pursued into the jungle and the finale, complete with a battle in the courtyard and an escape by [[Union Jack]] [[hot-air balloon]]. Other footage in the film was shot at [[Shiv Niwas Palace]] and the [[Lake Palace Hotel]].<ref name="MI6"/> However, scenes showing Bond eating dinner inside the palace, running between rooms, sliding down the grand staircase and finally a basement rendezvous for the villains in the film, were not shot inside the Monsoon Palace, nor were the sets for those sequences based on the layout or features of the Monsoon Palace. In 2008 [[The Cheetah Girls (band)|The Cheetah Girls]] filmed the song "[[Dance Me If You Can]]", for their Indian movie, at the palace.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://bostonglobe.longjaunt.com/photos/2008/06/24/themonsoonpalace/10/|title=The Monsoon Palace|publisher=[[The Boston Globe]]|access-date=2009-11-19|archive-date=22 November 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081122032828/http://bostonglobe.longjaunt.com/photos/2008/06/24/themonsoonpalace/10/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Visitor information==
{{how-to|section|date=November 2023}}
The Monsoon Palace is {{convert|5|km|mi}} west of Udaipur and overlooks Lake Pichola. The palace can be accessed by a winding road through the surrounding Sajjan Singh Sanctuary by taxi or 'auto rickshaw'. The palace and the Sajjan Singh Sanctuary are major attractions and are open to visitors until sunset.<ref name=monsoon/> A boat ride across Lake Pichola in Udaipur provides views of the palace and allows visitors to view the palace.{{tone inline|date=November 2023}}<ref name=sajan/> Udaipur is well connected by road and air links to all parts of the country.

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Sajjangarh1.jpg|Remote view of Sajjangarh Palace
File:Udaipur from Sajjangarh fort.jpg|Udaipur view from Sajjangarh fort
File:Window at Sajjangarh fort, udaipur.jpg|Window at Sajjangarh fort, udaipur
File:Udaipur view from Sajjangarh fort.jpg|Udaipur view from Sajjangarh fort
File:Sajjangarh fort sidewall.jpg|Sajjangarh fort sidewall
File:Monsoon Palace2.jpg|Interior facade, Monsoon Palace
File:Sajjangarh fort, Udaipur.jpg|Sajjangarh fort, Udaipur
</gallery>

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Monsoon Palace}}
*[https://www.tourism.rajasthan.gov.in/monsoon-palace.html rajasthantourism]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20160102232638/http://www.eternalmewar.in/research/index.aspx Sajjangarh]
*[https://www.flickr.com/photos/prashanth_chandra/tags/monsoonpalace/ Flickr images]

{{Udaipur}}

[[Category:Palaces in Rajasthan]]
[[Category:Royal residences in India]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Udaipur]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Udaipur]]
[[Category:Rajput architecture]]
[[Category:Houses completed in 1884]]
[[Category:Palaces in Udaipur]]

Monsoon Palace - Revision history

WMLTomoko1917594: started a entry