Umaid Bhawan Palace

Umaid Bhawan Palace

Built between 1928 and 1943, Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur is one of the world's largest private residences, commissioned by Maharaja Umaid Singh to provide famine relief employment. Designed by Henry Lanchester in Beaux Arts/Art Deco style, it was the last major royal palace built in India before independence, featuring 347 rooms and Chittar sandstone. 

Key Historical Facts:

• Purpose: The project was initiated to provide jobs to farmers during a prolonged drought and famine in the 1920s, earning it the nickname "famine palace" during construction.
• Construction: Foundation was laid in 1929, and it was completed in 1943. It was initially called Chittar Palace due to its location on Chittar Hill, the highest point in Jodhpur.
• Architecture: It blends Indian and European styles, featuring a 105-foot high inner dome and a 148-foot outer dome. The building was designed to be earthquake-resistant.
• Royal Residence & Hotel: While it remains the principal residence of the Jodhpur royal family, part of the palace was converted into a luxury Taj Hotel in 1972.
• Museum: The palace houses a museum dedicated to the 20th-century history of the Jodhpur royal family, displaying vintage cars, clocks, and artifacts. 

Today, the palace is divided into three functional areas: the residence of the royal family, the Taj Palace Hote, and the museum.