SUJÁN Rajmahal Palace, Jaipur
Channel: Top 10
Date: 2019-09-05

Get lost in time, as, ‘Time is History’ and ‘History is Time’.

The ‘Pink City’ of Jaipur, in Rajasthan, welcomes you to ‘Sujan Rajmahal Palace’, one of the oldest and most treasured properties of the capital city.To understand the historical importance of this heritage property, built in 1729,one has to divulge back in time, to see the many transformations, in its over almost 300 years of existence.

It was originally built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh, as a pleasure garden for his wife.It changed hands, to become the official residence, of the British Political Agent, during the British Raj.In 1958,Maharaja Sawai Man Singh 2, chose Rajmahal, as his personal residence. Since then, the palace has been witness to, and played host to, royalty, (the Queen of England and the Duke of Edinburgh, The Duke and the late Duchess of Wales),dignitaries, (Lord and Lady Mountbatten),and celebrities like the late Jacqueline Kennedy,who have enjoyed its famed,Rajasthani hospitality.Hence, this property of 14 Royal Apartments, Suites and Palace Rooms, take their names from the very same people who have stayed here.

We royally swept into the portals of the ‘Darbar Hall. The grandeur of the room took our breath away. We were immediately struck by the intricately carved beautiful and large glittering chandeliers, throwing their soft iridescence on the deeply hued, rich upholstery. The huge Russian paintings on either side of the walls, covered by wallpaper, whose motif has been inspired from the carpet under your feet. The glass tables support large Chines Ming vases, surrounded by white marble urns which have fragrant, red rose petals, floating inside them. Black and white photographs in memory of the elite who have passed through its august corridors. Silver candle stands, holding lit candles, reflecting its contents on the tables, as also the chandeliers above. The carved archways in contrasting colours of blue and gold. Low slung sofas and high straight backed chairs, thrown with an abundance of soft, fluffy cushions, to sink into. The marble fire place with its mantelpiece, also displaying more photographs, candle stands and marble vases.Rich.Lavish. Magnificent. And,above all,Royal.The mood here is hushed and muted.Almost as if you are waiting for history to wash over you.

The restoration work, undertaken lovingly and meticulously, by the celebrated designer, Adil Ahmad, allows guests to get a glimpse of royalty of a by gone era.