What am I looking at?
The Rambagh Palace in Jaipur, Rajasthan is the former residence of the maharaja of Jaipur located 5 miles (8.
The quick answer
The Rambagh Palace in Jaipur, Rajasthan is the former residence of the maharaja of Jaipur located 5 miles (8.0 km) outside the walls of the city of Jaipur on Bhawani Singh Road. It was constructed in 1835, and was originally built as a garden retreat for a queen's handmaiden, later serving as a royal guesthouse and hunting lodge. In the early 20th century the building was expanded into a grand palace which became the principal residence of Jaipur's ruler, Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II. After Indian independence, the Maharaja converted Rambagh Palace into India's first luxury "palace hotel", and in 1972 its management was handed over to Taj Hotels, which preserved its architectural heritage while upgrading it to a five-star hotel. Today Rambagh Palace is often called the "Jewel of Jaipur". It is noted for its Indo-Saracenic architecture ornate gardens, and rich connections to Jaipur's royal history.
How it came to be
The Rambagh Palace was established in 1835 as a modest country house in the Rambagh Gardens, south of the old city of Jaipur. The first building on the site was a garden house built in 1835 for the wet nurse of Prince Ram Singh II. It was later expanded by Maharaja Sawai Ram Singh II for Kesar Badaran, his maid and attendant of the maharaja's queen. In those early years it was a simple pavilion amid the forested outskirts of Jaipur. By the late 19th century it had been converted into a royal hunting lodge and guesthouse, where royal relatives and visitors could stay while hunting in the surrounding countryside.
The detail most people miss
In the early 20th century, the lodge was transformed into a full-fledged palace. Under the ruling family of Jaipur, the structure was greatly enlarged in an Indo-Saracenic style blending Rajput and Mughal motifs. By 1925, Rambagh Palace had become the principal residence of Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II (ruled 1922–1970). The maharaja lived there with his wife, Maharani Gayatri Devi, and it became the venue for royal events, receptions and ceremonies. Dignitaries on official state business at Rambagh used to stay here. It was expanded into a palace to the designs of Sir Samuel Swinton Jacob. Maharajah Sawai Man Singh II made Rambagh his principal residence and added a number of royal suites. In 1931 a lavish coronation ceremony was held here when Sawai Man Singh II was formally crowned. Toyal weddings, Royal Polo matches, and balls & dinners were hosted here.
