Laxmi Vilas Palace

The term Maharaja Palace actually refers to a series of palaces in Vadodara, India, constructed since the Gaekwad family started ruling the Vadodara State. The first one was a building known as the Sarkar Wada. This building, not really a palace, was given up for the Nazarbaug Palace built in old classical style.

It is reputed to have been the largest private dwelling built in the nineteenth century and four times the size of Buckingham Palace. At the time of construction it boasted the most modern amenities such as elevators and the interior is reminiscent of a large European country house. It remains the residence of the Royal Family, who continue to be held in high esteem by the residents of Baroda.

The Palace “compound” is of over 700 acres (2.8 km2) and houses a number of buildings, particularly the Moti Baug Palace and the Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum building. Adjacent to the Motibaug Palace and the Museum is the Moti Bagh Cricket Ground, the offices of the Baroda Cricket Association, and a very rare indoor teak floored tennis court and badminton court (where the All India Badminton Championships were previously held). There are also two clay tennis courts plus a derelict fives court.

The palace also boasted a small zoo. The only remnant of the zoo is the pond where a number of crocodiles remain. The Navlakhi (literally meaning “of nine hundred thousand”) Well, a fine ‘baoli’ or step well, is 50 metres north of the palace.