India's Last Great Royal Palace

The Umaid Bhawan, is the stunning palace of the royal family of Jodhpur, and one of the worlds largest private residences. Construction of the Indo-art deco palace began in 1929 and was completed in 1943. Presently the palace is divided into 3 parts, the private residence of the royals, a museum open to the public, and a very exclusive five star hotel managed by the Raj hotel group.

Gaj Singh, the current owner of the palace, studied at Eton College and Christchurch, Oxford in England and was a classmate of the current King Charles. I found it amusing that Gaj Singh was crowned king at age 4, upon the untimely death of his father, while poor Charles had to wait nearly 74 years to be crowned, becoming the oldest person to accede to the British throne.

The official royal title of Gaj Singh:

His Highness Raj Rajeshwar Saramad-i-Raja-i-Hind Maharajadhiraja Maharaja Shri Gaj Singhji II Sahib Bahadur, Maharaja of Marwar.

That was his former royal title, since the Indian constitution was amended in 1971 to deprive the Maharaja and other princes of their privy purses (government remuneration), titles and associated privileges such as diplomatic ammunity. While the family may have lost their official status, they seem to have retained a significant fortune which should help them get by. The museum alone is filled with priceless artifacts from the family holdings, including an unusual collection of clocks, silver, china and a display of fine vintage cars.

****** Here is a really well done video from the “Only in India Youtube Channel” of the full museum collection: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHI8eyGTEtY

(Photo by Neil Greentree © Mehrangarh Museum Trust and Umaid Bhawan Palace)

While this 1927 Rolls-Royce Phantom II is a real show stopper, I have a soft spot for the 1934 Morris Minor Saloon on the right and on the left a car I owned in my youth, the Morris Minor 1000, known in India as the Hindustan.

The grandfather of the current Raja, Umaid Singh, who presided over the construction of the palace, had another title. He was known as the flying Maharaja. As an avid flyer he built a landing strip near the palace and in 1931 established the Jodhpur Flying Club with 2 De Havilland Tiger Moth airplanes.

Fying airplanes and motoring in his teal 1934 Rolls Royce Phantom II convertible, he was my kind of Maharaja.

If you are considering a stay at the Palace hotel ,check out the website below. But be advised that a one night stay in the Grand Royal Bedroom Suite will set you back 568,400.00 Indian Rupees or $6800.00 per night. There are less expensive rooms, but really, why bother!

https://www.tajhotels.com/en-in/taj/umaid-bhawan-palace-jodhpur/stories/