Makarpura Palace

Makarpura Palace was a Gaekwad royal palace in the city of Vadodara, Gujarat state, India. It was built by Maharaja Khende Rao in 1870, designed in the Italian style. [1] It was used as summer residence and hunting resort by the Royal Family. [2][3]

Makarpura Palace
General information
LocationVadodara, Gujarat, India
Completed1870

History

It was built by Maharaja Khende Rao in 1870.[1][3] It is said that Malhar Rao Gaekwad, brother of Khanderao II Gaekwad, who ruled Baroda from 1970 to 1975 destroyed portion of this palace. [2] It was extended and renovated by Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III. The palace was used as a training school by the Indian Air Force for many years.[2]

Location

Khanderao II Gaekwad used to spend lot of time at Dhaniavi which is near Makarpura, it was then called Shikarkhana. Due to its proximity to deer reserves, the palace site was selected at Makarpura.[2]

Structure and Landscape

The palace is a three-storey structure which is divided into two parts. One part was built by Khanderao II Gaekwad where as the other part was built by Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III. Both the part look same, and reflects Italian Renaissance Architecture. Both these parts are connected by corridors at ground and first floor levels. there is also a single storeyed porte-cochere with Italian style multifoil fountains. [2]

It has more than 100 ornate brick rooms, along with frame-arch balconies and wooden staircases. The Size of arch reduced as we go up.[2]

Rear portion of the palace consists of series of terraces which are connected by staircases and are shaded by chajjas.[2]

The palace has a Japanese-style garden garden which is spread across 130 acres. It is designed by William Goldring, the architect of the royal botanical gardens. The garden was named Kew. It also had a swimming pool and a lake with swans. There were ivory fountains which were activated to welcome the king every time he came to visit the palace.[1][2][3]

The interiors of the palace which was once had painted ceilings, grand wooden staircaes, stucco panels, Chaneliers, wooden furniture etc is in very dilapidated condition now. [2]

See also

References
  1. "Incredible India | Makarpura Palace". www.incredibleindia.org. Retrieved 19 December 2020.
  2. HoVB (17 September 2009). "Makarpura Palace". History of Vadodara - Baroda. Retrieved 19 December 2020.
  3. devidasan, M. k (10 February 2020). Rags To Uniform. markmybook llp. ISBN 978-81-944167-6-0.


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