Rajwada Palace

Credit:  Swagat Sinnarkar

Overview

Rajwada Palace, also known as Holkar Palace, is a magnificent structure that is located in the heart of Indore City, Madhya Pradesh, India.

Located on Mahatma Gandhi Road, the Rajwada Palace lies in the streets of Khajuri Bazaar. One of the oldest structures in the Indore palace was constructed in 1747 AD by Malhar Rao Holkar, the founder of the Holkar dynasty. The palace is a major attraction for history lovers who want to know more about the place.

Architecture

The Raj Palace, a fine example of grandeur and architectural skill, is a seven-story structure that was once a center of trading activities in the city.

The seven-story Rajawada Palace is a blend of Maratha, French, and Muslim styles of architecture. When the palace is viewed from a different angle, it looks different each time. From the southern side, it looks like Mughal, and from the eastern side, it looks European. Ganesha Hall, Rani Ahilya Throne, and Darbar Hall resemble French architecture.

 The lower three floors of the place are made of stone painted a dark brown.  while the top is made of wood. The grand, lofty archway with a giant wooden door covered with iron studs welcomes visitors to a huge courtyard. Ganesha Hall, which once was the venue for state and religious functions, and the gallery room surround the courtyard.

But unfortunately, the place has a tumultuous history and has burned three times. The first one was in 1801 when the commander Sarjerao Ghadge of the Scindia dynasty burned it. It was reconstructed between 1818 and 1826. The second fire took place in 1834, in which the top floor made of wood was destroyed. The last fire occurred in 1984 and caused maximum destruction of the palace; only the front part of the original structure remains today.

The palace today is under the instruction of H. H. Ushadevi Holkar, who decided to reconstruct the place in 2006. Shape a rectangle with a cylindrical base on the four corners. The palace has a statue of Queen Ahilaya Bai in a well-maintained garden that also has a beautiful fountain and an artificial waterfall. The palace is used for art exhibitions and music concerts. Besides this, the palace consists of the office of the Joint Director, Archeology, and a souvenir shop managed by the Archeology Department.

Light show

A splendid light and sound show takes place in Rajwada Palace from Tuesday to Sunday.

Timing

10 am – 5 pm

Closed on Monday

Entry fees of Rajwada Palace

Indian: Rs 10

Foreign: Rs 250

Photography: Rs 25

Videography: Rs 100

How to Reach Rajwada Palace

road

By road: Indore is well-connected by road with major cities in India. You can take a bus or hire a taxi to reach Rajwada Palace from anywhere in Indore. The palace is located in the heart of the city and is easily accessible.

train

By train: Indore is well-connected by rail with major cities in India. The nearest railway station to Rajwada Palace is Indore Junction Railway Station, which is about 2 km away. From the railway station, you can take a taxi or an auto-rickshaw to reach the palace.

air

By air: Indore has its own airport, Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport, which is well-connected with major cities in India. The airport is about 9 km away from Rajwada Palace. From the airport, you can take a taxi or a bus to reach the palace.