Have you ever wondered what it would be like to step into the past and witness the glory of a royal era? If yes, then you should definitely visit Rajwada Palace, a historical and cultural gem of Indore, Madhya Pradesh. Rajwada Palace, also known as Rajwada Mahal or Holkar Palace, is a stunning example of the fusion of Mughal, Maratha, and French architectural styles.
It was built by the Holkars, the rulers of the Malwa region, in the 18th century and served as their residence and seat of power for over two centuries. The palace has witnessed many important events and personalities in the history of Indore, such as the rise and fall of the Maratha Empire, the invasion of the British, and the reign of Queen Ahilya Bai, the most celebrated ruler of the Holkar dynasty.
Today, Rajwada Palace is a popular tourist attraction that offers a glimpse into the rich heritage and culture of Indore. The palace boasts of many attractions and features, such as a beautiful garden, a majestic statue of Queen Ahilya Bai, a mesmerizing waterfall, and a spectacular fountain. The palace also hosts a light and sound show every evening that narrates the history and legends of the palace and the city. Moreover, the palace is surrounded by a bustling market, known as Kajuri Bazar, where you can shop for a variety of handicrafts, jewellery, clothes, and food items.
If you are planning to visit Indore, you should not miss the opportunity to explore Rajwada Palace, one of the most iconic landmarks of the city. In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about Rajwada Palace, its history, its architecture, its timings and entry fee, its shopping options, and how to reach it from different points in the city. Read on to find out why Rajwada Palace is a must-visit destination for anyone who loves history, culture, and art.
History
Rajwada Palace was built by Malhar Rao Holkar, the founder of the Holkar dynasty, in 1747. He chose Indore as his capital and constructed the palace as his residence and administrative headquarters. The palace was designed by a French architect and incorporated elements of Mughal, Maratha, and French styles. The palace was a seven-storey structure, with the lower three floors made of stone and the upper four floors made of wood. The palace had a huge wooden gate, a Mughal arch, a courtyard, a temple, and several halls and chambers.
The palace was the witness to many historical events and personalities in the history of Indore. It was here that the Holkars fought against the British in the First and Second Anglo-Maratha Wars and resisted their attempts to annex their territory. It was here that Queen Ahilya Bai Holkar, the most revered ruler of the Holkar dynasty, ascended the throne in 1767 and ruled for 30 years. She was known for her benevolence, justice, and patronage of art and culture. She built many temples, ghats, forts, and palaces across India, including the famous Maheshwar Fort and the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi. She also transformed Indore into a prosperous and cultured city. Her statue stands in front of the palace as a symbol of her legacy and greatness.
The palace also faced many tragedies and disasters in its history. It was burnt down three times by different enemies, such as the Pindaris, the Scindias, and the British. The last fire occurred in 1984, when a mob set fire to the palace during a riot. The palace was reduced to ashes and only the lower three floors survived. The palace was later restored by the efforts of the government and the Holkar family. Today, the palace is a museum that displays the artefacts, paintings, weapons, coins, and furniture of the Holkar era. The palace also hosts cultural events and festivals, such as the Malwa Utsav, that showcase the art and culture of Indore.
Architecture
Rajwada Palace is a marvel of architecture that reflects the fusion of Mughal, Maratha, and French styles. The palace is a rectangular structure that covers an area of 2.4 acres. The palace has two parts: the main palace and the rear palace. The main palace is the older part that faces the main road and the market. The rear palace is the newer part that faces the garden and the waterfall.
The main palace is a three-storey structure that has a huge wooden gate, a Mughal arch, a courtyard, a temple, and several halls and chambers. The gate is carved with intricate floral patterns and has iron spikes to prevent elephant attacks. T
he arch is decorated with paintings of gods and goddesses and has a balcony above it. The courtyard is surrounded by galleries and pillars and has a marble platform in the center. The temple is dedicated to Lord Ganesh and has a silver door and a gold idol. The halls and chambers are adorned with chandeliers, mirrors, paintings, and furniture of the Holkar era.
The rear palace is a four-storey structure that has a garden, a statue, a waterfall, and a fountain. The garden is a lush green space that has various plants and flowers. The statue is of Queen Ahilya Bai Holkar and is made of bronze. The waterfall is an artificial cascade that creates a soothing sound and a cool breeze. The fountain is a circular pool that has a jet of water that rises up to 100 feet in the air. The rear palace also has a light and sound show that narrates the history and legends of the palace and the city every evening.
Timings and Entry Fee
Rajwada Palace is open to the public from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM every day, except Mondays. The palace is closed on Mondays for maintenance and cleaning. The entry fee for the palace is Rs. 10 per person for Indians and Rs. 250 per person for foreigners. The charges for photography and videography are Rs. 25 and Rs. 50 respectively. The duration of the light and sound show is 45 minutes and the ticket price is Rs. 100 per person. The show timings are 7:00 PM to 7:45 PM in Hindi and 8:15 PM to 9:00 PM in English.
Shopping
Rajwada Palace is surrounded by a bustling market, known as Kajuri Bazar, where you can shop for a variety of handicrafts, jewellery, clothes, and food items. Kajuri Bazar is one of the oldest and largest markets of Indore and is famous for its traditional and ethnic products. Here, you can find items such as Maheshwari and Chanderi sarees, leather toys, silver jewellery, wooden handicrafts, brassware, pottery, carpets, and quilts.
You can also taste some of the delicious and spicy food items of Indore, such as poha, jalebi, samosa, kachori, chaat, namkeen, and rabri. Kajuri Bazar is a paradise for shoppers and foodies and a great place to experience the culture and lifestyle of Indore.
How to Reach
Rajwada Palace is located in the heart of Indore and is easily accessible from different points in the city. You can reach the palace by various modes of transport, such as:
By Air:
The nearest airport to Rajwada Palace is Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport, which is about 8 km away. You can take a taxi, a bus, or an auto-rickshaw from the airport to the palace. The fare ranges from Rs. 100 to Rs. 300 depending on the mode of transport and the traffic.
By Rail:
The nearest railway station to Rajwada Palace is Indore Junction, which is about 2 km away. You can take a taxi, a bus, or an auto-rickshaw from the railway station to the palace. The fare ranges from Rs. 20 to Rs. 100 depending on the mode of transport and the traffic.
By Road:
Rajwada Palace is well-connected by road to other parts of the city and the state. You can take a taxi, a bus, or an auto-rickshaw from any point in the city to the palace. The fare varies depending on the distance and the traffic. You can also drive your own vehicle to the palace. There is a parking facility near the palace that charges Rs. 20 per hour.
Rajwada Palace is a historical and cultural gem of Indore that offers a glimpse into the rich heritage and culture of the city. The palace is a stunning example of the fusion of Mughal, Maratha, and French architectural styles and has many attractions and features, such as a beautiful garden, a majestic statue of Queen Ahilya Bai, a mesmerizing waterfall, and a spectacular fountain.
The palace also hosts a light and sound show every evening that narrates the history and legends of the palace and the city. Moreover, the palace is surrounded by a bustling market.
So, what are you waiting for? Plan your trip to the heart of Indore today!
