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{{Short description|Palatial suite in Jaipur}} | |||
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2019}} | {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2019}} | ||
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2019}} | {{Use Indian English|date=February 2019}} | ||
{{Infobox building | {{Infobox building | ||
|name= Samode Palace | |name= Samode Palace | ||
|image= | |image= সামুড প্যালেস.jpg | ||
|caption= Samode Palace | |caption= Samode Palace [[Façade]] | ||
| | |pushpin_map= Rajasthan | ||
|coordinates = {{coord|27.205|75.8055|region:IN-RJ|display=inline}} | |coordinates = {{coord|27.205|75.8055|region:IN-RJ|display=inline}} | ||
|location_town= [[Samode]] and [[Jaipur]] | |location_town= [[Samode]] and [[Jaipur]] | ||
|location_country= | |location_country= India | ||
|architect= Rawal Berisal | |architect= Rawal Berisal | ||
|client= | |client= Rawals | ||
|engineer= | |engineer= | ||
|construction_start_date= | |construction_start_date= | ||
|completion_date= 16th century | |completion_date= 16th century | ||
| | |demolished_date= | ||
|cost= | |cost= | ||
|structural_system= Marble and masonry | |structural_system= Marble and masonry | ||
| | |architectural_style= Rajput architecture | ||
|size= | |size= | ||
}} | }} | ||
[[File:Samode havali.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Inside the Samode Haveli]] | [[File:Samode havali.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Inside the Samode Haveli]] | ||
'''Samode Palace''', '''Samode Haveli''' and '''Samode Bagh (Garden)''' are heritage monuments and structures built by the noble [[Vassal|feudatory]] with the hereditary title of 'Maha Rawal' or 'Maha Saheb’ of the [[Kingdom of Amber|Amber]] and [[Jaipur]] principality in [[Rajasthan]], [[India]]. All three have rich history of several hundred years and display a fusion of [[Mughal architecture|Mughal]] and [[Rajasthan]]i art and architecture. They are now part of the Heritage group of hotels under the flagship name of "Samode" that are run by the hereditary owners of these structures. The Samode Palace is located {{convert|40|km|mi}} north of [[Jaipur]] city, the Samode Haveli is close to Jaipur (centrally located within city limits, {{convert|6|km|mi}} away from the city railway station) and the Samode Bagh or Garden, {{convert|4|km|mi}} from the palace which is also run as a luxury hotel.<ref name=Bagh>{{Cite web|url=http://www.samode.com/home/garden/index.htm |title=Samode Bagh |accessdate=2009-12-05 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091126043607/http://www.samode.com/home/garden/index.htm |archivedate=26 November 2009 }}</ref><ref name=Bruyn>{{Cite book|last=Bruyn|first= Pippa de |author2=Keith Bain |author3=Niloufer Venkatraman |author4=Shonar Joshi|title= Frommer's India |work=Samode Palace|pages=412–13|accessdate=2009-12-05|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qMqBvtL_nI0C | '''Samode Palace''', '''Samode Haveli''' and '''Samode Bagh (Garden)''' are heritage monuments and structures built by the noble [[Vassal|feudatory]] with the hereditary title of 'Maha Rawal' or 'Maha Saheb’ of the [[Kingdom of Amber|Amber]] and [[Jaipur]] principality in [[Rajasthan]], [[India]]. All three have rich history of several hundred years and display a fusion of [[Mughal architecture|Mughal]] and [[Rajasthan]]i art and architecture. They are now part of the Heritage group of hotels under the flagship name of "Samode" that are run by the hereditary owners of these structures. The Samode Palace is located {{convert|40|km|mi}} north of [[Jaipur]] city, the Samode Haveli is close to Jaipur (centrally located within city limits, {{convert|6|km|mi}} away from the city railway station) and the Samode Bagh or Garden, {{convert|4|km|mi}} from the palace which is also run as a luxury hotel.<ref name=Bagh>{{Cite web|url=http://www.samode.com/home/garden/index.htm |title=Samode Bagh |accessdate=2009-12-05 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091126043607/http://www.samode.com/home/garden/index.htm |archivedate=26 November 2009 }}</ref><ref name=Bruyn>{{Cite book|last=Bruyn|first= Pippa de |author2=Keith Bain |author3=Niloufer Venkatraman |author4=Shonar Joshi|title= Frommer's India |work=Samode Palace|pages=412–13|accessdate=2009-12-05|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qMqBvtL_nI0C&dq=Samode+Palace&pg=PT423|publisher= Frommer's|year=2008|isbn=978-0-470-16908-7}}</ref> | ||
Many [[Hindi]] [[feature films]] have been pictured with the settings of the palace. The [[1984 in television|1984]] American [[HBO]] TV serial adaptation of the Raj-romance novel ''[[The Far Pavilions]]'' was also filmed in the palace precincts and starred [[Ben Cross]], [[Amy Irving]], [[Omar Sharif]] and [[Christopher Lee]].<ref name=Bruyn/><ref name=Abram>{{Cite book|last=Abram|first= David|title= Rough guide to India|work=Samode|page=161|accessdate=2009-12-05|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kAMik_6LbwUC | Many [[Hindi]] [[feature films]] have been pictured with the settings of the palace. The [[1984 in television|1984]] American [[HBO]] TV serial adaptation of the Raj-romance novel ''[[The Far Pavilions]]'' was also filmed in the palace precincts and starred [[Ben Cross]], [[Amy Irving]], [[Omar Sharif]] and [[Christopher Lee]].<ref name=Bruyn/><ref name=Abram>{{Cite book|last=Abram|first= David|title= Rough guide to India|work=Samode|page=161|accessdate=2009-12-05|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kAMik_6LbwUC&dq=Samode+Palace&pg=PA161|publisher= Rough Guides|year=2003|isbn=1-84353-089-9}}</ref><ref>[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0086711/ The Far Pavilions on imdb.com]</ref> | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
Samode is a large town in Rajasthan, which belonged to the landlords known as ‘[[zamindars]]’ (in [[Hindi language]]) of the principal [[thakur (Indian title)|thakurs]] of the state of [[Kingdom of Amber|Amber]]. It shot into prominence due to the Thakurs lineage traced to Maharaja Rajveer Singhji, the 17th prince of the house of [[Kacchwaha]] [[Rajputs]]. Samode was bequeathed to Gopal Singhji one of his 12 sons, as a noble feudatory of the Amber and Jaipur principality. Samode was, even then, considered a very rich town under the kingdom of Amber. Behari Das, a Rajput warrior who was then in [[Mughal | Samode is a large town in Rajasthan, which belonged to the landlords known as ‘[[zamindars]]’ (in [[Hindi language]]) of the principal [[thakur (Indian title)|thakurs]] of the state of [[Kingdom of Amber|Amber]]. It shot into prominence due to the Thakurs lineage traced to Maharaja Rajveer Singhji, the 17th prince of the house of [[Kacchwaha]] [[Rajputs]]. Samode was bequeathed to Gopal Singhji one of his 12 sons, as a noble feudatory of the Amber and Jaipur principality. Samode was, even then, considered a very rich town under the kingdom of Amber. Behari Das, a Rajput warrior who was then in [[Mughal dynasty|Mughal]] service of the Nathawat clan inherited the Zamindari of Somede. It was under the [[United Kingdom|British Raj]] but was restored to the Nathawat clan with the hereditary title 'Rawal Saheb' or 'Maha Rawal' (title conferred for their valiance and loyalty to the royal family), in 1757, and this lineage is continued to this date.<ref name=palace>{{Cite web|url=http://www.samode.com/home/palace/history.htm |title=History, Location & Map |accessdate=2009-12-05 |publisher=Samode Palace |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091231021041/http://www.samode.com/home/palace/history.htm |archivedate=31 December 2009 }}</ref><ref name=about>{{Cite web|url=http://www.touristplacesinindia.com/samode/about-samode.html|title=About Samode|accessdate=2009-12-05}}</ref> | ||
Samode Palace was initially built in the sixteenth century as a Rajput fort, but in the early 19th century, under the nobleman Rawal Berisal, it was converted from a fort into an exquisitely designed palace in Rajput and [[Muslim]] [[Architecture|architectural style]]. Rawal Berisal, during this time also served as the [[Chief Minister of Rajasthan]] and exercised full powers. He was signatory, on behalf of the [[Maharaja of Jaipur]], to the treaty signed in 1818 with the [[United Kingdom|British]] [[East India Company]], which gave it the status of a [[protectorate]] to Jaipur. Rawal Sheo Singh, a descendant of Rawal Berisal, who was the [[ | Samode Palace was initially built in the sixteenth century as a Rajput fort, but in the early 19th century, under the nobleman Rawal [[Bairi Sal|Berisal]], it was converted from a fort into an exquisitely designed palace in Rajput and [[Muslim]] [[Architecture|architectural style]]. Rawal [[Bairi Sal|Berisal]], during this time also served as the [[Chief Minister of Rajasthan|chief minister of Rajasthan]] and exercised full powers. He was signatory, on behalf of the [[Maharaja of Jaipur]], to the treaty signed in 1818 with the [[United Kingdom|British]] [[East India Company]], which gave it the status of a [[protectorate]] to Jaipur. Rawal [[Sheo Singh Nathawat|Sheo Singh]], a descendant of Rawal [[Bairi Sal|Berisal]], who was the [[prime minister]] of Jaipur state for several years, during the middle of the 19th century, further expanded the palace by adding the [[Durbar (court)|Durbar]] Hall (considered as "extravagantly florid and hand painted") with a gallery and the Sheesh Mahal or the hall of mirrors. In 1987, it was converted into the heritage "Samode Palace Hotel".<ref name=palace/> | ||
Samode haveli was also built by Rawal Sheo Singh more than 150 years ago. It was built as a resort for the royal family.<ref name=haveli>{{Cite web|url=http://www.samode.com/home/haveli/history.htm |title=History, Location and Map |accessdate=2009-12-05 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091227123720/http://www.samode.com/home/haveli/history.htm |archivedate=27 December 2009 }}</ref> | Samode haveli was also built by Rawal [[Sheo Singh Nathawat|Sheo Singh]] more than 150 years ago. It was built as a resort for the royal family.<ref name=haveli>{{Cite web|url=http://www.samode.com/home/haveli/history.htm |title=History, Location and Map |accessdate=2009-12-05 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091227123720/http://www.samode.com/home/haveli/history.htm |archivedate=27 December 2009 }}</ref> | ||
Samode Bagh or Samode garden was landscaped more than 150 years ago by one of the sons of Maharaja Prithiraj Singhji of Jaipur. It was patterned on the lines of [[Mughal gardens]], which the Mughals had developed in other parts of their kingdom as a retreat for relaxation and enjoyment. The royal family of Samode also established a similar garden 4 kilometres away from their Samode Palace.<ref name =Bagh/> | Samode Bagh or Samode garden was landscaped more than 150 years ago by one of the sons of Maharaja Prithiraj Singhji of Jaipur. It was patterned on the lines of [[Mughal gardens]], which the Mughals had developed in other parts of their kingdom as a retreat for relaxation and enjoyment. The royal family of Samode also established a similar garden 4 kilometres away from their Samode Palace.<ref name =Bagh/> | ||
==Geography and climate== | ==Geography and climate== | ||
Geographically, the three monuments and the village of Samode and its structures are in the pristine hill range of the [[Aravalli Range]] in | Geographically, the three monuments and the village of Samode and its structures are in the pristine hill range of the [[Aravalli Range]] in northwestern India.<ref name= Bradnock>{{Cite book|last= Bradnock|first=Roma|title= Rajasthan & Gujarat handbook: The Travel Guide |work=Samode|pages=134–5|publisher= Footprint Travel Guides|year=2001|isbn=1-900949-92-X}}</ref> | ||
The climate at Samode is severe with summer heat reaching as high as {{convert|45|C|F}} and winter temperatures dropping to {{convert|4|C|F}}.<ref name=about/> | The climate at Samode is severe with summer heat reaching as high as {{convert|45|C|F}} and winter temperatures dropping to {{convert|4|C|F}}.<ref name=about/> | ||
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===Samode palace=== | ===Samode palace=== | ||
{{multiple image | {{multiple image | ||
| align = right | | align = right | ||
| image1 = Artful Arch.jpg | | image1 = Artful Arch.jpg | ||
| width1 = 180 | | width1 = 180 | ||
| alt1 = | | alt1 = | ||
| caption1 = | | caption1 = Decorative arch | ||
| image2 = Samode Palace bathroom.jpg | | image2 = Samode Palace bathroom.jpg | ||
| width2 = 180 | | width2 = 180 | ||
| alt2 = | | alt2 = | ||
| caption2 = | | caption2 = Palace bathroom | ||
| | | image3 = Samode Lounge.jpg | ||
| width3 = 180 | |||
| caption3 = Palace Lounge | |||
}} | }} | ||
The palace, built by the noblemen of the court of the royal family, is located near the Samode village on the outskirts of [[Shekhawat]]. It is built of [[sandstone]] at the foot of the Aravalli range of hills (the foremost mountain range of north-western India) with a fortress-like setting. The interiors of the palace are composed in the ancient architectural style of Rajasthan: marble floors, intricately ornamented pillars, mosaic walls (with tiny pieces of small inlaid stones), with luxurious carpets, and decorated with old wall paintings (hunting scenes, floral motifs and so forth). At the entrance gate of the palace is a unique piece of a large-sized treasure chest made of dark wood with marble settings and gleaming glass. The Sheesh Mahal (Hall of Mirrors) is located on the southern side of the palace.<ref name=Abram/><ref name=Reiter>{{Cite book|last=Reiter|first=Christiane|author2=Angelika Taschen|author2-link=Angelika Taschen|title= The hotel book: great escapes Asia|work=A Giant treasure Chest|page=53|accessdate=2009-12-05|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gN8PHhkpCBIC | The palace, built by the noblemen of the court of the royal family, is located near the Samode village on the outskirts of [[Shekhawat]]. It is built of [[sandstone]] at the foot of the Aravalli range of hills (the foremost mountain range of north-western India) with a fortress-like setting. The interiors of the palace are composed in the ancient architectural style of Rajasthan: marble floors, intricately ornamented pillars, mosaic walls (with tiny pieces of small inlaid stones), with luxurious carpets, and decorated with old wall paintings (hunting scenes, floral motifs and so forth). At the entrance gate of the palace is a unique piece of a large-sized treasure chest made of dark wood with marble settings and gleaming glass. The Sheesh Mahal (Hall of Mirrors) is located on the southern side of the palace.<ref name=Abram/><ref name=Reiter>{{Cite book|last=Reiter|first=Christiane|author2=Angelika Taschen|author2-link=Angelika Taschen|title= The hotel book: great escapes Asia|work=A Giant treasure Chest|page=53|accessdate=2009-12-05|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gN8PHhkpCBIC&dq=Samode+Palace&pg=PA53|publisher= [[Taschen]]|year=2004|isbn=3-8228-1913-1}}</ref> The frescoes in the Durbar Hall and in the Sultan Mahal are said to be 250 years old.<ref name=Bruyn/> The palace is built on three levels (planned in a sequence of courtyards of increasing height) with a patio on each floor. There is an old ruined fort above the palace from where a panoramic view of the valley could be seen. The fort area is overgrown with vegetation but stone paved paths have been built to reach the fort heights.<ref name=palace/><ref name=Brown>{{Cite book|last=Brown|first= Lindsay|author2=Amelia Thomas |title= Rajasthan, Delhi and Agra |work=Samode|pages=180–181|accessdate=2009-12-05|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Zz0_zXPb68kC&dq=Samode+Palace&pg=PA181|publisher= Lonely Planet|year=2008|isbn=978-1-74104-690-8}}</ref> Samode fort was the former residence of the Maharaja. It is said that an underground passage links it to the palace that provided access at times of emergency. It is now approached by a well laid out stone paved path (300 steps). There is also an entry gate to the ruined fort. Two other forts close by complete the circuit of a circular walk from and back to the palace. There is also a small temple, 3 kilometres away from the fort.<ref name=Abram/><ref name=Stott>{{Cite book|last=Stott|first=David|title= Footprint Rajasthan |work=Samode|pages=146–47|accessdate=2009-12-05|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=igdKYE-fNcAC&dq=Samode+Palace&pg=PA147|publisher= Footprint Travel Guides|year=2007|isbn=978-1-906098-07-0}}</ref> | ||
The Samode village near the palace is noted for its cloth made by block printing and also for handicrafts such as bangle making.<ref name=Abram/> There is a small artists' colony in the village where miniature paintings are made.<ref name= Bradnock/> | The Samode village near the palace is noted for its cloth made by block printing and also for handicrafts such as bangle making.<ref name=Abram/> There is a small artists' colony in the village where miniature paintings are made.<ref name= Bradnock/> | ||
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===Samode haveli=== | ===Samode haveli=== | ||
{{multiple image | {{multiple image | ||
| align = left | | align = left | ||
| image1 = Entrance Arch.jpg | | image1 = Entrance Arch.jpg | ||
| width1 = 100 | | width1 = 100 | ||
| alt1 = | | alt1 = | ||
| caption1 = | | caption1 = | ||
| image2 = Haveli Lounge.jpg | | image2 = Haveli Lounge.jpg | ||
| width2 = 180 | | width2 = 180 | ||
| alt2 = | | alt2 = | ||
| caption2 = | | caption2 = | ||
| footer = Left: | | footer = Left: entrance arch<br>Right: Haveli lounge | ||
}} | }} | ||
The haveli is built facing north. It has an elegant painted dining room and an air passage. It has a unique ambiance of the historic juxtaposed against a contemporary setting. An elephant ramp, specially constructed at the entrance to the haveli, was laid in 1940 on the occasion of the marriage ceremony of a member of the | |||
The haveli is built facing north. It has an elegant painted dining room and an air passage. It has a unique ambiance of the historic juxtaposed against a contemporary setting. An elephant ramp, specially constructed at the entrance to the haveli, was laid in 1940 on the occasion of the marriage ceremony of a member of the royal family.<ref name=haveli/> | |||
===Samode bagh=== | ===Samode bagh=== | ||
Samode Bagh, or garden, a 16th-century Mughal style garden, enclosed by a {{convert|15|ft|m}} high wall is spread over an area of {{convert|20|acre|ha}}. It also has 44 sandbank coloured tents with air-conditioning to accommodate visitors. It blends traditional Rajasthan and Mughal [[Interior design|décor]] with the [[Victorian architecture|Victorian style]], with modern facilities. It has a {{convert|200|ft|m}} long water channel with a row of fountains that are fed by springs and wells. The tent walls also depict elegant paintings in Mughal art. The tents have been furnished with carpets, standing lamps and well designed beds and chairs and other modern facilities.<ref name =Bagh/><ref name=Bruyn/><ref name=tents>{{Cite web|url=http://www.samode.com/home/garden/tents.htm |title=Samode Bagh |work=Tents |accessdate=2009-12-05 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091126102745/http://www.samode.com/home/garden/tents.htm |archivedate=26 November 2009 }}</ref> There is also a 150-year-old pavilion within the precincts of the garden.<ref name=Brown/><ref name=Stott/> | Samode Bagh, or garden, a 16th-century Mughal-style garden, enclosed by a {{convert|15|ft|m|adj=on}}-high wall is spread over an area of {{convert|20|acre|ha}}. It also has 44 sandbank coloured tents with air-conditioning to accommodate visitors. It blends traditional Rajasthan and Mughal [[Interior design|décor]] with the [[Victorian architecture|Victorian style]], with modern facilities. It has a {{convert|200|ft|m|abbr=|adj=on}}-long water channel with a row of fountains that are fed by springs and wells. The tent walls also depict elegant paintings in Mughal art. The tents have been furnished with carpets, standing lamps and well designed beds and chairs and other modern facilities.<ref name =Bagh/><ref name=Bruyn/><ref name=tents>{{Cite web|url=http://www.samode.com/home/garden/tents.htm |title=Samode Bagh |work=Tents |accessdate=2009-12-05 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091126102745/http://www.samode.com/home/garden/tents.htm |archivedate=26 November 2009 }}</ref> There is also a 150-year-old pavilion within the precincts of the garden.<ref name=Brown/><ref name=Stott/> | ||
==Visitor information== | ==Visitor information== | ||
The palace, the haveli and the garden are at a distance of {{convert|42|km|mi}}, {{convert|6|km|mi}} and {{convert|45|km|mi}} respectively from Jaipur. Jaipur, in turn, is well connected by rail, road, and air to | The palace, the haveli and the garden are at a distance of {{convert|42|km|mi}}, {{convert|6|km|mi}} and {{convert|45|km|mi}} respectively from Jaipur. Jaipur, in turn, is well connected by rail, road, and air to other major Indian cities. | ||
Jaipur is {{convert|260|km|mi}} from Delhi by road on the National Highway NH-8. | Jaipur is {{convert|260|km|mi}} from Delhi by road on the National Highway NH-8. | ||
Entry to the palace costs Rs 1000 per person as of 15 August 2015. This includes a tour of the palace and can be credited towards food and drink in the courtyard restaurant. The tour includes the ladies waiting rooms, the {{ | Entry to the palace costs Rs 1000 per person as of 15 August 2015. This includes a tour of the palace and can be credited towards food and drink in the courtyard restaurant. The tour includes the ladies waiting rooms, the {{Transliteration|ur|shish mahal}} (room of mirrors), the Durbar hall, and the pool area (viewing only, no swimming). | ||
==Notes== | ==Notes== | ||
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==References== | ==References== | ||
{{commons category|Samode Palace}} | {{commons category|Samode Palace}} | ||
*{{Cite book|last=Abram|first= David|title= Rough guide to India |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kAMik_6LbwUC | *{{Cite book|last=Abram|first= David|title= Rough guide to India |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kAMik_6LbwUC&dq=Samode+Palace&pg=PA161|publisher= Rough Guides|year=2003|isbn=1-84353-089-9}} | ||
*{{Cite book|last= Bradnock|first=Roma|title= Rajasthan & Gujarat handbook: The Travel Guide |publisher= Footprint Travel Guides|year=2001|isbn=1-900949-92-X}} | *{{Cite book|last= Bradnock|first=Roma|title= Rajasthan & Gujarat handbook: The Travel Guide |publisher= Footprint Travel Guides|year=2001|isbn=1-900949-92-X}} | ||
*{{Cite book|last=Brown|first= Lindsay|author2=Amelia Thomas |title= Rajasthan, Delhi and Agra |work=Samode|pages=180–181|accessdate=2009-12-05|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Zz0_zXPb68kC | *{{Cite book|last=Brown|first= Lindsay|author2=Amelia Thomas |title= Rajasthan, Delhi and Agra |work=Samode|pages=180–181|accessdate=2009-12-05|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Zz0_zXPb68kC&dq=Samode+Palace&pg=PA181|publisher= Lonely Planet|year=2008|isbn=978-1-74104-690-8}} | ||
*{{Cite book|last=Bruyn|first= Pippa de |author2=Keith Bain |author3=Niloufer Venkatraman |author4=Shonar Joshi|title= Frommer's India |work=Samode Palace|pages=412–13|accessdate=2009-12-05|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qMqBvtL_nI0C | *{{Cite book|last=Bruyn|first= Pippa de |author2=Keith Bain |author3=Niloufer Venkatraman |author4=Shonar Joshi|title= Frommer's India |work=Samode Palace|pages=412–13|accessdate=2009-12-05|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qMqBvtL_nI0C&dq=Samode+Palace&pg=PT423|publisher= Frommer's|year=2008|isbn=978-0-470-16908-7}} | ||
*{{Cite book|last=Reiter|first=Christiane|author2=Angelika Taschen |title= The hotel book: great escapes Asia |pages=400|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gN8PHhkpCBIC | *{{Cite book|last=Reiter|first=Christiane|author2=Angelika Taschen |title= The hotel book: great escapes Asia |pages=400|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gN8PHhkpCBIC&dq=Samode+Palace&pg=PA53|publisher= Taschen|year=2004|isbn=3-8228-1913-1}} | ||
*{{Cite book|last=Stott|first=David|title= Footprint Rajasthan |work=Samode|pages=146–47|accessdate=2009-12-05|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=igdKYE-fNcAC | *{{Cite book|last=Stott|first=David|title= Footprint Rajasthan |work=Samode|pages=146–47|accessdate=2009-12-05|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=igdKYE-fNcAC&dq=Samode+Palace&pg=PA147|publisher= Footprint Travel Guides|year=2007|isbn=978-1-906098-07-0}} | ||
* [http://www.srutitravels.com/india-journeyed/indian-luxury-travel-jaipur Luxury Travel in Jaipur] | * [http://www.srutitravels.com/india-journeyed/indian-luxury-travel-jaipur Luxury Travel in Jaipur] | ||
Latest revision as of 10:39, 17 March 2026
| Samode Palace | |
|---|---|
 Samode Palace Façade | |
  Location within Rajasthan | |
Samode Palace Façade | |
| General information | |
| Architectural style | Rajput architecture |
| Town or city | Samode and Jaipur |
| Country | India |
| Coordinates | 27°12′18″N 75°48′20″E / 27.205°N 75.8055°E |
| Completed | 16th century |
| Client | Rawals |
| Technical details | |
| Structural system | Marble and masonry |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Rawal Berisal |
Samode Palace, Samode Haveli and Samode Bagh (Garden) are heritage monuments and structures built by the noble feudatory with the hereditary title of 'Maha Rawal' or 'Maha Saheb’ of the Amber and Jaipur principality in Rajasthan, India. All three have rich history of several hundred years and display a fusion of Mughal and Rajasthani art and architecture. They are now part of the Heritage group of hotels under the flagship name of "Samode" that are run by the hereditary owners of these structures. The Samode Palace is located 40 kilometres (25 mi) north of Jaipur city, the Samode Haveli is close to Jaipur (centrally located within city limits, 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) away from the city railway station) and the Samode Bagh or Garden, 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) from the palace which is also run as a luxury hotel.[1][2]
Many Hindi feature films have been pictured with the settings of the palace. The 1984 American HBO TV serial adaptation of the Raj-romance novel The Far Pavilions was also filmed in the palace precincts and starred Ben Cross, Amy Irving, Omar Sharif and Christopher Lee.[2][3][4]
History[edit | edit source]
Samode is a large town in Rajasthan, which belonged to the landlords known as ‘zamindars’ (in Hindi language) of the principal thakurs of the state of Amber. It shot into prominence due to the Thakurs lineage traced to Maharaja Rajveer Singhji, the 17th prince of the house of Kacchwaha Rajputs. Samode was bequeathed to Gopal Singhji one of his 12 sons, as a noble feudatory of the Amber and Jaipur principality. Samode was, even then, considered a very rich town under the kingdom of Amber. Behari Das, a Rajput warrior who was then in Mughal service of the Nathawat clan inherited the Zamindari of Somede. It was under the British Raj but was restored to the Nathawat clan with the hereditary title 'Rawal Saheb' or 'Maha Rawal' (title conferred for their valiance and loyalty to the royal family), in 1757, and this lineage is continued to this date.[5][6]
Samode Palace was initially built in the sixteenth century as a Rajput fort, but in the early 19th century, under the nobleman Rawal Berisal, it was converted from a fort into an exquisitely designed palace in Rajput and Muslim architectural style. Rawal Berisal, during this time also served as the chief minister of Rajasthan and exercised full powers. He was signatory, on behalf of the Maharaja of Jaipur, to the treaty signed in 1818 with the British East India Company, which gave it the status of a protectorate to Jaipur. Rawal Sheo Singh, a descendant of Rawal Berisal, who was the prime minister of Jaipur state for several years, during the middle of the 19th century, further expanded the palace by adding the Durbar Hall (considered as "extravagantly florid and hand painted") with a gallery and the Sheesh Mahal or the hall of mirrors. In 1987, it was converted into the heritage "Samode Palace Hotel".[5]
Samode haveli was also built by Rawal Sheo Singh more than 150 years ago. It was built as a resort for the royal family.[7]
Samode Bagh or Samode garden was landscaped more than 150 years ago by one of the sons of Maharaja Prithiraj Singhji of Jaipur. It was patterned on the lines of Mughal gardens, which the Mughals had developed in other parts of their kingdom as a retreat for relaxation and enjoyment. The royal family of Samode also established a similar garden 4 kilometres away from their Samode Palace.[1]
Geography and climate[edit | edit source]
Geographically, the three monuments and the village of Samode and its structures are in the pristine hill range of the Aravalli Range in northwestern India.[8]
The climate at Samode is severe with summer heat reaching as high as 45 °C (113 °F) and winter temperatures dropping to 4 °C (39 °F).[6]
Structures[edit | edit source]
The three heritage structures are:
Samode palace[edit | edit source]
Decorative arch
Palace bathroom
Palace Lounge
The palace, built by the noblemen of the court of the royal family, is located near the Samode village on the outskirts of Shekhawat. It is built of sandstone at the foot of the Aravalli range of hills (the foremost mountain range of north-western India) with a fortress-like setting. The interiors of the palace are composed in the ancient architectural style of Rajasthan: marble floors, intricately ornamented pillars, mosaic walls (with tiny pieces of small inlaid stones), with luxurious carpets, and decorated with old wall paintings (hunting scenes, floral motifs and so forth). At the entrance gate of the palace is a unique piece of a large-sized treasure chest made of dark wood with marble settings and gleaming glass. The Sheesh Mahal (Hall of Mirrors) is located on the southern side of the palace.[3][9] The frescoes in the Durbar Hall and in the Sultan Mahal are said to be 250 years old.[2] The palace is built on three levels (planned in a sequence of courtyards of increasing height) with a patio on each floor. There is an old ruined fort above the palace from where a panoramic view of the valley could be seen. The fort area is overgrown with vegetation but stone paved paths have been built to reach the fort heights.[5][10] Samode fort was the former residence of the Maharaja. It is said that an underground passage links it to the palace that provided access at times of emergency. It is now approached by a well laid out stone paved path (300 steps). There is also an entry gate to the ruined fort. Two other forts close by complete the circuit of a circular walk from and back to the palace. There is also a small temple, 3 kilometres away from the fort.[3][11]
The Samode village near the palace is noted for its cloth made by block printing and also for handicrafts such as bangle making.[3] There is a small artists' colony in the village where miniature paintings are made.[8]
Samode haveli[edit | edit source]
Left: entrance arch
Right: Haveli lounge
Right: Haveli lounge
The haveli is built facing north. It has an elegant painted dining room and an air passage. It has a unique ambiance of the historic juxtaposed against a contemporary setting. An elephant ramp, specially constructed at the entrance to the haveli, was laid in 1940 on the occasion of the marriage ceremony of a member of the royal family.[7]
Samode bagh[edit | edit source]
Samode Bagh, or garden, a 16th-century Mughal-style garden, enclosed by a 15-foot (4.6 m)-high wall is spread over an area of 20 acres (8.1 ha). It also has 44 sandbank coloured tents with air-conditioning to accommodate visitors. It blends traditional Rajasthan and Mughal décor with the Victorian style, with modern facilities. It has a 200-foot (61 m)-long water channel with a row of fountains that are fed by springs and wells. The tent walls also depict elegant paintings in Mughal art. The tents have been furnished with carpets, standing lamps and well designed beds and chairs and other modern facilities.[1][2][12] There is also a 150-year-old pavilion within the precincts of the garden.[10][11]
Visitor information[edit | edit source]
The palace, the haveli and the garden are at a distance of 42 kilometres (26 mi), 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) and 45 kilometres (28 mi) respectively from Jaipur. Jaipur, in turn, is well connected by rail, road, and air to other major Indian cities. Jaipur is 260 kilometres (160 mi) from Delhi by road on the National Highway NH-8.
Entry to the palace costs Rs 1000 per person as of 15 August 2015. This includes a tour of the palace and can be credited towards food and drink in the courtyard restaurant. The tour includes the ladies waiting rooms, the shish mahal (room of mirrors), the Durbar hall, and the pool area (viewing only, no swimming).
Notes[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Samode Bagh". Archived from the original on 26 November 2009. Retrieved 5 December 2009.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Bruyn, Pippa de; Keith Bain; Niloufer Venkatraman; Shonar Joshi (2008). Frommer's India. Frommer's. pp. 412–13. ISBN 978-0-470-16908-7. Retrieved 5 December 2009.
{{cite book}}:|work=ignored (help) - ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Abram, David (2003). Rough guide to India. Rough Guides. p. 161. ISBN 1-84353-089-9. Retrieved 5 December 2009.
{{cite book}}:|work=ignored (help) - ↑ The Far Pavilions on imdb.com
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "History, Location & Map". Samode Palace. Archived from the original on 31 December 2009. Retrieved 5 December 2009.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "About Samode". Retrieved 5 December 2009.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 "History, Location and Map". Archived from the original on 27 December 2009. Retrieved 5 December 2009.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Bradnock, Roma (2001). Rajasthan & Gujarat handbook: The Travel Guide. Footprint Travel Guides. pp. 134–5. ISBN 1-900949-92-X.
{{cite book}}:|work=ignored (help) - ↑ Reiter, Christiane; Angelika Taschen (2004). The hotel book: great escapes Asia. Taschen. p. 53. ISBN 3-8228-1913-1. Retrieved 5 December 2009.
{{cite book}}:|work=ignored (help) - ↑ 10.0 10.1 Brown, Lindsay; Amelia Thomas (2008). Rajasthan, Delhi and Agra. Lonely Planet. pp. 180–181. ISBN 978-1-74104-690-8. Retrieved 5 December 2009.
{{cite book}}:|work=ignored (help) - ↑ 11.0 11.1 Stott, David (2007). Footprint Rajasthan. Footprint Travel Guides. pp. 146–47. ISBN 978-1-906098-07-0. Retrieved 5 December 2009.
{{cite book}}:|work=ignored (help) - ↑ "Samode Bagh". Tents. Archived from the original on 26 November 2009. Retrieved 5 December 2009.
References[edit | edit source]
- Abram, David (2003). Rough guide to India. Rough Guides. ISBN 1-84353-089-9.
- Bradnock, Roma (2001). Rajasthan & Gujarat handbook: The Travel Guide. Footprint Travel Guides. ISBN 1-900949-92-X.
- Brown, Lindsay; Amelia Thomas (2008). Rajasthan, Delhi and Agra. Lonely Planet. pp. 180–181. ISBN 978-1-74104-690-8. Retrieved 5 December 2009.
{{cite book}}:|work=ignored (help) - Bruyn, Pippa de; Keith Bain; Niloufer Venkatraman; Shonar Joshi (2008). Frommer's India. Frommer's. pp. 412–13. ISBN 978-0-470-16908-7. Retrieved 5 December 2009.
{{cite book}}:|work=ignored (help) - Reiter, Christiane; Angelika Taschen (2004). The hotel book: great escapes Asia. Taschen. p. 400. ISBN 3-8228-1913-1.
- Stott, David (2007). Footprint Rajasthan. Footprint Travel Guides. pp. 146–47. ISBN 978-1-906098-07-0. Retrieved 5 December 2009.
{{cite book}}:|work=ignored (help) - Luxury Travel in Jaipur