Umaid Bhawan Palace, Royal palace in Jodhpur, India
Umaid Bhawan Palace is a yellow sandstone structure with more than 300 rooms, domes, and colonnades in central Jodhpur. The sprawling gardens surround the main building with fountains, lawns, and shade trees.
Construction began in 1929 on the orders of Maharaja Umaid Singh during a severe drought to provide work for thousands of people. The work continued until 1943, employing stonemasons, bricklayers, and craftsmen from across the region.
The name honors Maharaja Umaid Singh, who commissioned the construction in the late 1920s to provide work for people suffering from drought. The interiors blend western Art Deco lines with traditional Rajput motifs, visible in the columns, arches, and painted details.
Part of the property is a hotel run by the Taj group, another section houses a museum displaying royal family items, while a third wing remains a private residence. Visitors should check museum opening times in advance and note that certain areas are off limits.
The building was raised without steel or concrete, instead relying entirely on interlocking sandstone blocks joined with mortar. This technique required extraordinary precision in cutting and placing each stone throughout the construction period.
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