Ranjit Vilas Palace, Royal palace in Wankaner, India
Ranjit Vilas Palace is a royal palace on a hilltop in the Gadhio Hills in Wankaner, India, overlooking the Machchhu River. The three-story building includes halls with marble floors and furniture made from teak, while part of the rooms serves as a museum.
The foundation stone was laid in 1907 by the Jamsaheb of Nawanagar, and the palace served as the royal family's residence until 2012. After that, parts of the property opened to the public and now display memorabilia from the era of the rulers.
The name honors Ranjitsinhji, who founded the building, while the interiors still display furniture and decorative elements from the early 20th century. Visitors see carved wooden balconies and colonnades that reflect the lifestyle of the former rulers.
Access to the palace follows a road that runs from the town center up to the Gadhio Hills. Visitors should plan about two to three hours for the tour through the rooms and the grounds.
The collection of hunting trophies on the walls is among the largest in the country and displays memories from royal hunts. In addition, an area in the palace preserves historic automobiles that still date from the era of the maharajas.
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