Nestled in the vibrant city of Jodhpur, Rajasthan the Umaid Bhawan Palace and Museum stands as a testament to royal opulence and architectural grandeur. In this article, we delve into the architectural marvels of the Umaid Bhawan Palace Museum, examining its intricate details, historical significance, and the enduring legacy it represents. 

Umaid Bhawan Palace Jodhpur Museum

The Umaid Bhawan Museum Jodhpur is located within the sprawling Umaid Bhawan Palace. It is an extraordinary example of early 20th-century architecture, located on Chittor Hill. Commissioned by Maharaja Umaid Singh in 1929, Umaid Bhawan Palace was the home of the Royal Rajput family. It finished construction in 1943. The project was a response to a severe drought and famine that had hit the region, employing about 3,000 local craftsmen. It was built with an estimated budget of $9.45 million.

It was affixed with the traditional atmosphere but with lavish and modern amenities. It boasted 347 rooms making it the world’s biggest private residencies. The Umaid Bhawan Palace Jodhpur was the last palace to have been built, as India achieved sovereign status in 1947. As expected, it quickly underwent adaptive reuse, acquired by the Taj Group. In 1978, it was opened as a luxury hotel. However, it is still the royal residence of Maharaja Gaj Singh II of Jodhpur or ‘bapji’. Actress Priyanka Chopra and musician Nick Jonas tied the knot here in 2018.

Architectural Details of Umaid Bhawan Museum

Umaid Bhawan Museum Jodhpur is built atop 26 acres of land with 15 acres of gardens. It merges traditional Indian architectural styles with Western influences (Indo-Saracenic, classical revival, & Art Deco). Its final shape is oddly familiar to the Beaux Arts style. The symmetrical design is the cornerstone of Rajput architecture. After its acquisition, it was divided into three parts — the luxury Taj Palace Hotel, the former royalty’s residence, and the Umaid Bhawan Museum. The Hotel wing is called ‘Taj Umaid Bhawan Palace Jodhpur.’

The building’s layout includes expansive courtyards, manicured gardens, an intricate network of corridors and chambers, a library, a Billiards room, tennis courts, four marble squash courts, two ball fields, a domed banquet, private dining, a dance hall, a bookstore, and an indoor pool and spa; a magnificent display of luxury. The Umaid Bhawan Museum Jodhpur is housed in the eastern wing of the palace.

Design and Layout

Designed by the Edwardian-era British architect, Henry Vaughan Lanchester the Umaid Bhawan Palace Museum is divided into two areas with separate entrances — ‘zenana’ (feminine) and ‘mardana’ (masculine). The ladies’ wing had access to enclosed gardens with hidden access to swimming pools and public rooms. The upper floor is covered with the traditional ‘jaalis’ (window), which allows the queens to anonymously view party and ceremonial rituals happening in the ‘durbar’ (auditorium/gathering hall).

The layout and style of the palace are said to have been inspired by Buddhist and Hindu monoliths such as the mountain temples of Burma and Cambodia, especially Angkor Wat. The forms are neat and well-defined. Lanchester devised the building in the style of his contemporary Edward Lutyens New Delhi complex. An interior sky-blue central dome/ Rotunda ‘cupola’ rises 105 ft over the palace. The exterior dome is 43 ft high. It is topped with a lotus-shaped finial. The coat of arms of the Rathore Royal family adorns the Umaid Bhawan Museum palace entrance.

Material and Construction

The Umaid Bhawan Palace Museum uses locally sourced pink and yellow sandstone ‘chittar sandstone’. During the construction, it was called Chittar Palace. The marbles were transported from Makrana. The lobby uses polished black granite. The lounge area has marble and pink sandstone floors. Instead of being joined by cement, the large stones interlocked by utilizing opposing corners.

Interiors

The interiors of the Umaid Bhawan Palace Museum are equally impressive. The interiors are adorned with ornate wooden panelling, elegant chandeliers, and richly woven carpets. The grand ballroom has high ceilings and ornate plasterwork. It also has gorgeous designs carved into the stone, furnishings and paintings created by the Polish refugee artist Juliusz Stefan Norblin and a towering central dome.

The furniture at the Umaid Bhawan Palace and Museum was made of London maple wood. They were inspired by the sinewy forms of Art Deco. They were dispatched in 1942 to Bombay. Unfortunately, the cargo was sunk by the Germans. The Burmese woodwork is laced with yellow and golden marble. 

Umaid Bhawan Museum Jodhpur Exhibits

The museum’s collection includes an array of royal artefacts, such as vintage automobiles, royal costumes, clocks, photographs, trophies, sporting gear, and weaponry. They present an exhibition filled with paintings and architectural models. They chronicle the life of Maharaja Umaid Singh and the making of the Umaid Bhawan Palace Museum. Taxidermied stuffed leopards, a massive symbolic flag that Queen Victoria gave to Maharaja Jaswant Singh in 1877, and a lighthouse are among the popular displays.

These items offer a glimpse into the luxurious lifestyle of the Maharajas and their courtly traditions. Among the notable exhibits is a collection of vintage cars, including several classic Rolls-Royces and Cadillacs, which were once used by the royal family. There is a throne room displaying the royal throne with Ramayana murals plastered over the wall. The museum showcases traditional Rajasthani art and crafts, including textiles, culinary dishes, and sculptures.

Image Courtesy – CNN

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