Posted on: 25 November 2011

Laxmi Vilas Palace, Baroda - 1890

Photograph of the Lakshmi Vilas Palace, at Baroda in Gujarat, from Lee-Warner Collection: 'Baroda views and buildings, c.1890' taken by an unknown photographer. A colossal structure, it was built for the Gaekwar Sayaji Rao III (r.1875-1939) and was reputedly the most expensive building erected by a private individual in the 19th century. This is a general view of the west facade shortly after completion, with landscaped gardens in the foreground. Originally designed by Major Charles Mant (1840-81) in an exuberant Indo-Saracenic architectural style, it was begun in 1878 and completed after his death in 1890 by Robert Fellowes Chisholm (1840-1915). Both architects were pioneers of the Orientalist style, which combined western and eastern forms, particularly arches and domes. The skyline of the palace is a fantastical mixture of bangaldar eaves, chhatris, a tall tower and a central cupola. In creating a modern palace, Mant retained the traditional division of an Indian palace into three sections but arrayed them in three blocks along the main axis of the building. The Durbar Hall is at the left, the Maharaja's residence in the centre and the zenana or women’s apartments at the right.

Source : British Library


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The delightful Laxmi Vilas is among the world’s largest private residences. Indo Saracenic style which developed in the nineteenth century was much derided then but has grown to be appreciated over time. The durbar hall to the extreme left of the palace has exquisite stained glass windows that depict mythological scenes from the Mahabharata and Ramayana. The fantastic woodwork and carving in the durbar hall has to seen to be believed. Yakshini brackets wearing Maratha style nav-vari saris are carved in a combination of sandalwood and mahogany which support the zenana balconies on the top.The lace like Gujarati carving on wood is enchantingly beautiful. The ruling dynasty of Gaekwads have a shepherd origin and the palace has bullock motifs carved in stone columns in the central porch lobby which has a grandfather clock in Carara marble with a majestic spiral stone staircase. A combination of glass and ceramic mosaic in various places in the palace has scenes of Hindu mythology. The secular credentials of the ruling family are manifest in their architecture too. While the rightmost part has Sikh style bangle arches with kalash finials, that to its is Hindu while further left is Christian which has a castle like tower and the extreme right wing of the palace that houses the durbar hall is decidedly Islamic in style. The garden statues which came from Europe and French style landscaping makes the apertinent gardens a visual treat. The studio (now in ruins) of Raja Ravi verma is inside the palace grounds. The largest collection of Raja Ravi Verma is in the personal collection of the royal family alongwith scores of great masters paintings which are now housed in a separate building in the palace grounds which was formerly a school for children of the royal household. The toy train in which the princes used to go to school now runs in the Kamati (Company) Bagh zoo. It was donated to the public garden which again houses a museum (commissioned by the royal family) which has an eclectic collection including an Egyptian mummy and a fantastic oriental collection of artifacts. Today the Laxmi Vilas (Splendorous abode of the Hindu goddess of wealth ) is the single biggest lung of the city of Baroda.

@digvijaysinghji if i am not mistaken the main entrance of the palace is on the backside which is said it was mistake of the architect,and also dis days the paintings collection of raja ravi verma is well maintained in separate museum which is property to the family...

Prithvirajsinh : You are right the principal gateway is on the opposite direction in the East but that is the gate not the entrance to the structure. The entrance of the palace is however from the western side shown in the picture. The leftmost side of this picture has a Bangla style stone porch the stairs of which lead to the durbar hall. Two porches can be seen in this picture too. The left one is the main mardana (male) entrance while the right one is the zenana one. The ruling family uses these front porches only. They are however planning to move into a smaller palace now as this one is going to be given on lease to a reputed hotel chain.

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