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| Kesarbagh palace, Dholpur, RJ dholpurpalace.com |
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| Kesarbagh palace, Dholpur, RJ .tripadvisor.in |
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| Kesarbagh palace, Dholpur, RJ .tripadvisor.in |
The majestic Raj Niwas Palace in Dholpur, built in 1876, is an architectural marvel crafted from high-quality red and buff-colored Dholpur sandstone, locally sourced from the region. The distinct color and fine texture of this sandstone have made it a popular choice for architects throughout history, being widely used in various structures for facades, entrances, and decorative elements. Even today, it remains a preferred material for construction and restoration projects.
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| Albert Edward, the Prince of Wales,Pinterest.com |
Raj Niwas Palace, also known as Dholpur Palace, was commissioned by the then ruler in 1876 to host HRH Albert Edward, the Prince of Wales, during his visit. Beyond serving as a royal residence, the palace was designed to provide additional imperial amenities for the royal family and their entourage, ensuring a luxurious and comfortable stay. His tour of India was envisaged as a way of forging diplomatic links between the Indian rulers and the British Crown. During this tour between Oct.1875 and May 1876 the Prince exchanged gifts with each ruler and and some of the most significant Indian works of art in the Royal Collection today were acquired during this tour.
Though Dholpur was a princely state, it remained under British protection from 1779 onwards, relying on the English East India Company for military support due to its strategic location near Delhi.
Dholpur and its surrounding areas are home to numerous historical monuments that showcase a blend of European and native Rajasthani architectural styles. Many structures feature traditional elements such as jharokhas (overhanging enclosed balconies) and chhatris (domed pavilions). Following India's independence in 1947, Dholpur merged with the Indian Union in 1949, and by 1956, the princely state ceased to exist as a separate entity.
Set amidst 13 acres of lush greenery, Raj Niwas Palace has been transformed into a luxury heritage hotel, carefully preserving its historical grandeur while integrating modern amenities. The palace’s exterior is strikingly simple yet elegant, while its interiors are richly adorned with opulent design elements, including Dutch ceramic work. The hotel offers 40 rooms across three categories, allowing visitors to experience the grandeur of royal life. Guests can immerse themselves in the charm of a bygone era, surrounded by exquisite interiors featuring soaring pillars, elaborately decorated windows, antique furnishings, textured walls, Belgian glass-crafted ceilings, and plush carpeted floors.
The serene gardens surrounding the palace provide a tranquil retreat and are frequented by peacocks and other exotic birds from the nearby National Chambal Sanctuary, making it an ideal destination for nature lovers.
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| Kesarbagh palace, Dholpur, tourmyindia.com |
Within the palace complex lies another significant structure—Kesarbagh Palace—which now houses the Rashtriya Military School, Dholpur. Established in July 1962 by the Indian government, this institution was originally known as King George Royal Indian Military College and was dedicated to the education of children from defense families. It is one of five such military schools in India, alongside the institutions in Chail (established in 1922), Ajmer (1930), Belgaum (1945), and Bangalore (1946).
Chittorgarh Fort, the largest in India, exotic wildlife at Bassi Wildlife Sanctuary and the Shri Savaliya Seth Krishna are some of the tourist attractions nearby.
https://www.dholpuronline.in/guide/raj-niwas-palace-in-dholpur
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 of Dholpur, RJ built for HRH Albert Edward, ''The Prince Of Wales''){kind=link}