Jai Vilas Palace, Gwalior
The quintessential royal city of India, Gwalior, is a dramatic metropolis with beautiful hilltop palaces. Home to the Jai Vilas Palace, and the seat of the Scindia Royal family – the place is filled with historical and grand relics. Here we will focus on Jai Vilas Palace in Gwalior – one of the important landmarks of this historical metropolis. Commissioned by Maharaja Jayajirao in 1874, the palace has close to 400 rooms and magnificent and bizarre fixtures including 3.5-tonne chandeliers, cut-glass furniture, and model railway track with a silver train used to carry after-dinner drinks and condiments. Although only the northern portion of the palace is open to the public, the trip to the lush mansion is surely the highlight of many tourists.If this stunning landmark of Gwalior is included in your travel itinerary, then this piece could help you in planning your trip better.
Keynotes on Jai Vilas Palace, Gwalior
Address: Lashkar, Near Jayendra Ganj, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh 474007
Opening time: 10:00 am – 4:30 pm (Monday Closed)
Entry fee: 800 INR (Extra for Camera; free entry for children below 5 years and differently-abled tourists)
Architecture: Mixture of Tuscan, Corinthian, and Italian-Doric architecture
Famous for: Stunning museum, exquisite Durbar Hall
Visit duration: Two hours
Best time to visit: October to March is suitable for the trip
How to reach: Located very close to the city center, visitors won’t face much trouble in reaching the venue. Taxi or city bus can be booked to reach the Gwalior Jai Vilas Palace.
Overview of the Jai Vilas Palace, Gwalior
One of the important landmarks of the city, the Jai Villas Palace is one of the most lavishly built regal monuments of Gwalior. According to historical records, the palace was commissioned by Maharaja Jayajirao to welcome King Edward VII on his visit to India in 1875. In the later years, the palace became the imperial residence of the Scindia Royal Family.The famed colossal Durbar Hall and the historical museum exhibits, make the Gwalior Jai Vilas Palace an interesting place. Consisting of 400 rooms, a grand library, and the stunning Chitrangada Raje Art Gallery - this place is a must-visit for tourists coming to Gwalior. Many historians have pointed out that the palace was constructed at the cost of ten million INR.
The palace is still used by the members of the Maratha Scindia family for residential purposes.
History of Jai Vilas Palace
Jayajirao Scindia, the then ruler of the Gwalior province, wanted a lavish mansion in the lines of Palace of Versailles. In 1874, designer and architect Sir Michael Filose was assigned to create such a grand mansion on the event of the arrival of the then Prince of Wales in the late 19th century. Spread in the area of the 28 acres, the Jai Vilas Palace, Gwalior, later on, became the residence of the royal family.Prisoners of the Gwalior fort were used as labors to complete the massive building as well as its famed plush carpet placed inside the enormous Durbar Hall. As per many, the single carpet took around twelve years to complete and is one of the largest pieces of room décor item in the world.
After the death of Jivajirao Scindia, the last ruler of the dynasty before India's independence, a portion of the palace was turned into a museum. Named as HH Maharaja Sir Jiwajirao Scindia Museum, where one can find extravagant and extraordinary exhibits here.
The Architecture of Jai Vilas Palace
Inspired by the Palace of Versailles, the lavish mansion has elements of European architecture. The architect took inspiration from the Tuscan and Italian-Doric styles while designing the three-levels of the mansion. Spread in the area of 28 acres, the monument has attractive Italian marble flooring, and expensive fixtures like lavish Persian carpets and ornamental accessories brought in from China, France, and Italy.The mansion cum museum is decorated with artifacts and items which carry colossal historical significance. A special royal swimming pool, for the women of the noble family, has a boat meant for the entertainment of the imperial ladies.
The Jai Vilas Palace’s Durbar Hall
The biggest attraction of this stunning mansion, the Durbar Hall, is a massive structure. The interiors were decorated with gold and gilded décor, luxurious carpets, and are two-massive-almost-identical crystal chandeliers imported from Vienna.The H.H. Jiwajirao Scindia Museum
After the death of the lasts ruler of the Gwalior estate, the Maharaja Jiwajirao Scindia, a museum was established in his honor within the palace. The 35 room museum, open to the public, contains fascinating and historically important artifacts, furniture, paintings and portraits of the Scindia royals.The weapon collection contains exhibits belonging to 15th and 16th-century Mughal rulers, and a shield used by Rani Lakshmi Bai in the battle.
Major Attractions at the Jai Vilas Palace and Museum
The entire Jai Vilas Palace, Gwalior has the following attractions1. The Durbar Hall
2. Severn galleries at the lower level of the mansion
3. The first floor has period rooms, where exhibits are arranged on a certain theme. Among these galleries, the Oriental art room and the crystal furniture room attracts the attention of the visitors.
Important Pointers While Visiting the Jai Vilas Palace
1. The palace is still used by the royal family for private gatherings and functions. During those days, the venue is closed for the public. Before visiting the palace ensure whether the mansion opens for the public for the day.2. Children below the age of five and differently able guests can get free entry.