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Nazarbaug
Palace or Nazar Bāgh Palace is the Gaekwad's royal palace in the city of
Vadodara, Gujarat state, western India. The Nazar Bāgh Palace' was built
in 1871. It has three storeys and is the oldest palace in Baroda. It was
constructed by Malhār Rāo Gaekwad in the late 19th century. This palace
was used on ceremonial occasions by the Gaekwads.
Today it
houses the royal family heirlooms. It has solid gold and silver guns,
each barrel weighing over 100 kg. In the grounds is also has contains
the Shïsh Mahal, a Palace of Glass. Nazarbaug Palace is located opposite
the Mandvi Gate. |
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The
white-stucco palace was the depository of the jewels of the Gaekwad
family, and in 1927 the collection was believed to be worth $10,000,000
at the time, including a diamond necklace which carried both the Star of
the South diamond, weight around 125 carats, and the English Dreden;
another important part of the collection was a cloth embroidered with
precious stones and seed pearls, made to cover the tomb of Muḥammad.
The palace
had a large white painting of structural canopy in the east and it had a
wooden bridge that was connected to another palace Sarkarwada. It was
later abandoned and used only for ceremonial purposes or hosting state
guests.
Royal Affair
All the royal weddings of princes used to be held in Nazarbaug Palace
and the guests were kept in the rooms on the backside of the palace. The
subjects used to get opportunity of witnessing the grandeur of royal
weddings on such occasions. The palace hosted marriage of Prince
Pratapsinh Rao, son of Sayajirao Gaekwad III. It was redone towards the
end of 19th century by renowned architect Robert Chisholm.
The palace is now in a state of ruin and does not reflect its former
glory. The inside has been ripped out after an alleged robbery. The
grounds is used as a car park. Visitors are allowed to walk around but
not allowed to take photos. Such is the state of this once beautiful
palace the root of Gaekwad rule in Vadodara that today it is
unrecognisable and possibly the land will be sold off for apartment
constructions.
Sources: Wikipedia
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