Set amidst the lush gardens and mango orchards of Baroda, the Lakshmi Vilas Palace is one of the most impressive and historically significant royal residences of the Gaekwads, the Maratha rulers of the Baroda state. It is believed the palace is four times the size of Buckingham Palace and was built in 1890. It is the largest private lodging in India and is home to the Gaekwad royal family, constructed by Maharaja Sayajirao III. The Maharaja was a reformist ruler who believed in education, social welfare, women’s rights, and infrastructure development. The palace remained in the hands of the Gaekwad royal family, serving as a living symbol of Baroda’s royal legacy, thereby bridging pre-independence history with modern recognition.
The place is a blend of Hindu, Islamic, and British Architectural styles, known as Indo-Saracenic, which unveils unique elements of Eastern and Western designs. Beyond its aesthetic grandeur, the palace was a pioneer in technological advancements for its time, featuring an early electrical system powered by its generator and one of the first residential elevators in the world. The palace complex also features other notable institutions, including the Baroda Golf Club, the Maharaja Fatehsinhrao Museum, and the Motibaug Cricket Grounds. The palace grounds once had a small zoo and a little railway line to ferry their royal children.
The Grand Palace was designed by British architect Major Charles Mant, who tragically died during the project and was later completed by Robert Fellows Chisholm. Charles Mant was one of the most renowned architects of his era, and this palace was his most ambitious undertaking. It is said that he suffered from bouts of depression and anxiety, which ultimately led to his downfall. His death was believed to be a suicide, possibly driven by fear. The cause of fear was that his estimations were wrong and that the palace would fall at any time. The other reason was that the castle was built to reflect the design, which resulted in the backside of the palace becoming the main entrance. Nonetheless, the architect passed away, and Robert Fellows Chisolm was then assigned in his place, who created a historic residence as a living legacy of the Gaekwad dynasty. The architectural marvel was very technologically advanced during the colonial era due to the independent stance of the Gaekwad royal family against British policies.
Architectural Grandeur of the Palace
The palace’s construction involved meticulous planning, sourcing high-quality materials from around the world, and overcoming the logistical challenges of the 19th century. The structure spans 500 feet in width, covers 500 acres, and features elaborate elements, including a massive Darbar Hall, multiple domes with hidden water tanks, and intricate courtyards designed for climate control. The palace was one of the most lavish structures, whose materials came from far regions of Baroda. The workers employed were called in from abroad and were among the finest in the construction industry.
The exterior stones of the palace were sourced from the quarries of Songadh, as their golden glow was visible during dawn and dusk. The facades are adorned with small domed chattris, finials, arched-shaped openings, and jharokha windows. Externally, the building features intricate stone carvings, brackets, and motifs. A tall clock tower was positioned with a small red light to inform the people whether the Gaekwad ruler was in residence.
The interiors are planned around two courtyards to maintain a tropical climate. The marble sculptures and cast-iron lamp posts add a royal element, complemented by the cooling effect of trees and fountains. The palace also features a grand staircase with marble railings and long corridors that offer ample daylight and ventilation. These corridors are linked to 170 rooms, each with a unique theme, such as the Silver Room or the Gulabi Room.
Indoor Spaces of the Palace
The grandeur of the palace and the Gaekwad royal family was evident in the Durbar Hall, which spanned almost 5,000 square feet in area. This hall hosted music and dance concerts, accompanied by lavish dinners. It was painted in a light ivory shade with contrasting golden embellishments above the arches and deep brown wooden balconies, lending it an air of timeless charm. It had Venetian floor mosaics with geometric patterns on the ceilings. The walls were enhanced by colourful Belgian-stained glass windows and massive crystal chandeliers that reflected the shades of the ceiling and paintings in the hall.
The palace also houses a separate area where they kept their weapons, known as Shastraghar, the royal armoury. They are kept in huge glass cases that members of the Gaekwad royal family and soldiers of the Baroda state army once used. Specialist landscaper William Goldring from Kew Gardens designed the palace grounds. The grand entrance on Rajmahal Road is reserved exclusively for the royal family of the Gaekwads. The Gaekwadi era featured buildings with a central portion topped by a Bengali roof, flanked by two towers clad in golden stone with detailed carvings.
The Palace Complex
Originally built as a school for the royal children, the Fatehsinhrao Museum has been converted into an art gallery showcasing the works of the Gaekwad family. The palace was a cultural hub for exhibiting the fabulous collection of paintings by Raja Ravi Varma, who was specially commissioned by the then Maharaja of Baroda of the Gaekwad dynasty. It features portraits of the members of the Gaekwad royal family and paintings inspired by Hindu mythology. The Motibaug Palace was a villa that was earlier used to house the architects and engineers under the reign of Maharaja Ganpatrao Gaekwad. Adjacent to the Motibaug Palace are the Motibaug Cricket Ground and the offices of the Baroda Cricket Association, which are maintained to support sports activities. Maharaja Pratapsinhrao created the Golf course for European guests in 1930. In 1990, his grandson, Samarjitsinh, a former player of the Ranjhi cricket trophy, renovated the course and opened it to the public. Over the years, the palace has been surrounded by its ecosystem within its compound. Packs of monkeys and peacocks are spotted around the giant Banyan tree, known as the “Sayaji Vad,” which is more than 100 years old.
A Monument Bridging the Past and Future
Today, the Lakshmi Vilas Palace remains a living family home, with the current Maharaja Samarjitsinh Gaekwad and his family preserving its legacy while adapting to modern life. The palace’s design, craftsmanship, and history have inspired its vast spaces to nurture the next generations of the Gaekwad royal family, instilling pride in their heritage. The palace has played a pivotal role in shaping Baroda into a cultural and educational centre, with its long-standing support for the arts, music, and education. This has drawn national and international visitors to the palace, increasing its appeal as a tourist destination. The palace also provided employment opportunities to artisans, thereby influencing the development of surrounding settlements. The Gaekwad family’s investments in educational and civic institutions, such as Maharaja Sayajirao University, have shaped the city’s urban growth through royal philanthropy. The palace was strategically placed as the central anchor, around which roads, neighbourhoods, and buildings were developed. This presents a compelling case study in heritage conservation amidst rapid urbanisation, enabling the palace to preserve its authenticity amid changing land use and evolving heritage protection. The Lakshmi Vilas Palace stands as a testament to the enduring blend of tradition, innovation, and royal grandeur, influencing city planning, fostering cultural growth, and serving as a symbolic cornerstone of the city.
Citations:
- Lakshmi Vilas Palace (2012) History of Vadodara. Available at: https://historyofvadodara.in/lukshmi-vilas-palace/ (Accessed: 25 June 2025).
- Lakshmi Vilas Palace, Vadodara: India’s Hidden Royal Wonder That’s Bigger Than Buckingham!(2025) The Décor Journal. Available at: https://www.thedecorjournalindia.com/lakshmi-vilas-palace-vadodara-india (Accessed: 25 June 2025).
- Meandering Through Laxmi Vilas Palace in Vadodara (2022) Turuhi. Available at: https://turuhi.com/story/meandering-through-laxmi-vilas-palace-in-vadodara (Accessed: 25 June 2025).
- Banijay History (2023) Exploring Lakshmi Vilas Palace – World’s Greatest Palaces – S01 EP10 – History Documentary [YouTube video]. Available at: https://youtu.be/pi7lXu-WgEU?si=Zb5nnRd7cKsFf1TF (Accessed: 25 June 2025).
- National Geographic India (2023) 170 Rooms in One Palace! | It Happens Only in India | National Geographic [YouTube video]. Available at: https://youtu.be/aeRaVy5CYeI?si=yehU_El14tUoSg9U (Accessed: 25 June 2025).
