Ranjit Vilas Palace, Royal palace in Wankaner, Gujarat, India
Ranjit Vilas Palace is a three-story royal residence perched atop Gadhio Hills, overlooking Wankaner town and the Machchhu River valley. The estate spreads across 225 acres with landscaped gardens and fountains throughout the grounds.
The foundation stone was laid in 1907 by Ranjitsinhji, the ruler of Wankaner State. The building functioned as the royal residence for many generations until 2012, though it sustained damage during the 2001 Gujarat earthquake.
The palace brings together architectural styles from Venice, Italy, Mughal courts, and Rajput kingdoms in a single building. Walking through its rooms and courtyards, visitors see how different traditions blend into one design.
The building now operates as a museum displaying hunting trophies, vintage cars, and European furnishings including Italian marble floors and chandeliers from Murano and Belgium. Plan to spend time walking through multiple levels and rooms to see the collections properly.
The entire structure is built from local sandstone quarried from Wankaner State, giving it a warm, earthy color that blends into the hillside. A distinctive clock tower with an onion-shaped dome crowns the roof and is visible from far away.
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