| 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.
History[edit | edit source]
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[edit | edit source]
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[edit | edit source]
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[edit | edit source]
Ek Thambiya Mahal[edit | edit source]
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[edit | edit source]
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[edit | edit source]
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[edit | edit source]
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]
Gallery[edit | edit source]
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Courtyard where the Ek Thambiya Mahal is located. -
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Courtyard where the Ek Thambiya Mahal is located. -
Courtyard where the Ek Thambiya Mahal is located. -
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Dining room with hunting trophies lining the walls -
Marble inlay table with water pool down the center -
Dining room with hunting trophies lining the walls -
Dungarpur Mews in Udai Bilas Palace -
Dungarpur Mews in Udai Bilas Palace -
Dungarpur Mews in Udai Bilas Palace -
Dungarpur Mews in Udai Bilas Palace -
Ek Thambiya Mahal -
Courtyard where the Ek Thambiya Mahal is located. -
Hunting trophies lining the walls -
Hunting trophy at Udai Bilas
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 RajRAS (2 March 2018). Art Architecture & Culture of Rajasthan. RajRAS. pp. 75–76.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Xxxxxxxx (1911). Short History Of The Dungarpur State. pp. 86–89, 123.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 Wilson, Henry (2001). India : decoration, interiors, design. Internet Archive. New York : Watson-Guptill Publications. p. 64. ISBN 978-0-8230-2513-8.
- ↑ "The Juna Mahal at Dungarpur". Trotting on. 5 May 2020. Retrieved 24 November 2024.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Not Available (1915). Report On The Administration Of The Dungarpur State, Rajputana, For 1914-15. p. 38.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Not Available (1914). Report On The Administration Of The Dungarpur State, Rajputana For 1913-14. pp. 49–50.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Not Available (1919). Report On The Administration Of The Dungarpur State, Rajputana. pp. 25–26.
- ↑ Country Life. Country Life, Limited. 1998. p. 22.
- ↑ Meola, Eric (2013). India : in word & image. Internet Archive. New York : Welcome Books. p. 175. ISBN 978-1-59962-128-9.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: publisher location (link) - ↑ 11.0 11.1 "Dungarpur's grandeur dazzles". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 24 November 2024.
- ↑ ANSHDEEP (1 June 2024). RAJASTHAN GK. 50 DISTRICTS | ENGLISH MEDIUM: UPDATED EDITION 2024. Intend Education. p. 51.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 "Dungarpur Mews: A Place To Discover The World Of Automobilia". deRivaz & Ives. 8 December 2023. Retrieved 24 November 2024.
- ↑ Ojha, Abhilasha (9 June 2016). "How to Restore Your Palace: Inside India's Stately Mansions | AD India". Architectural Digest India. Retrieved 23 February 2025.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 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.
- ↑ "Jagatdhatrimata Trust, Udai Bilas Palace Collection, Dungarpur - Eka Resources". 10 August 2010. Retrieved 23 February 2025.