Rajwada Palace (Indore) | History, Entry Fee, Shopping

Rajwada, Indore Overview

Located near the famous Kajuri Market in Indore, Rajwada is a magnificent and historical palace that is located in the city of Indore and was constructed by the Holkars more than 200 years ago. It is a seven-storied structure located near the Chhatris and serves as an excellent example of royal grandeur and architectural skills.

Nestled between the crowded streets of the Kajuri Bazar and facing the main square of the city, the Rajwada palace also faces a well-maintained garden that houses a statue of Queen Ahilya Bai, an artificial waterfall and some beautiful fountains. Even after all these years, the palace continues to be one of the most famous tourist spots in Indore and is one of the oldest structures too.

History of Rajwada

The Rajwada Palace was constructed in 1747 A.D. by the founder of Holkar Dynasty, Malhar Rao Holkar. The palace was once the centre of all the trading activities in the city. Rajwada has been burnt three times since its construction. The lower three floors of the palace are made up of stone, while the top levels are made of wood. This kind of material used for construction made the building very vulnerable to destruction by fire. It was set on fire for the first time in 1801 by the commander Sarjerao Ghadge of the Sindhiya Dynasty.

Reconstruction took place between 1818 and 1826, and five floors were reconstructed during this time. In 1834, a second fire took place, and the topmost floor was destroyed. The last fire, which broke out in 1984, had caused the maximum destruction to the structure and the back side of the palace was destroyed entirely. The temple of Malhari Martand, which is located inside the palace, was also wholly ruined during the riots of 1984.

Now, only the front part of the original structure remains. The palace has recently been renovated, which has managed to bring back the old glory to some extent. In the rear part of the palace, a beautiful garden has been created. It contains fountains, an artificial waterfall and some magnificent pieces of 11th-century sculpture. The palace hall is now used for art exhibitions and classical music concerts as well.

Light and Sound Show at Rajwada

A splendid sound and light show takes place at the Rajwada Palace from Tuesdays to Sundays, at 6:30 PM and is a must watch for history lovers to wish to know more about the palace and unravel its mysteries.

How To Reach Rajwada

The Rajwada Palace is located on the M.G. Road in Chhatris in Indore. The palace is accessible via the Mahatma Gandhi Road and the Imli Bazaar Road. You can quickly reach this place using any mode of transport from almost all parts of the city, and if you are coming from a nearby place, rickshaws are the best option.

Architecture of Rajwada

The style of construction of the Rajwada Palace is a blend of the Maratha, Mughal and French style of architecture. When viewed from the southern side, the structure looks Mughal; while from the eastern side, it looks European. The Rani Ahilya throne, Ganesha Hall and Darbar Hall have been constructed in a French fashion.

The entrance of the palace has a lofty archway with a giant wooden door which is covered with iron studs. The gopura-like monument is made up of wood and stone. While the lower three floors are made of stone and have been painted in dark brown colour, the upper floors have been constructed using wood. The palace has many balconies, windows and corridors. The entrance leads to a huge courtyard, which is surrounded by galleried rooms and the arcaded Ganesha hall, which was once the venue of all state and religious functions.

H.H.Ushadevi Holkar, the present Maharani of Indore, decided to reconstruct the palace in the year 2006. This process of reconstruction and development took about a year, and the new structure appears equally stunning and breathtaking as the older, original one. The Rajwada Palace is the first structure of the country which has been constructed again in the same style, using the same method and material. The windows of the palace have been outlined and give an impression to the onlooker that several eyes are looking right back at the street.

The building, at present, is rectangular, with circular bastions on all four corners. The palace also houses the office of the Joint Director of Archaeology and a Souvenir Shop, which is managed by the Archaeology Department of the State.