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Umaid Bhawan Palace
Maharaja Umaid Singhji who built this palace was fascinated with
western lifestyles so he marshalled the services of a well-known
Edwardian architect, Henry Vaughan Lanchester, a creditable equal
of Edward Lutyens (architect of New Delhi) to construct a three
hundred and forty seven roomed Umaid Palace.
This was to become India last of the great palaces and the biggest
private residence in the world. Spectacular Central Rotunda, the
cupola rises to a hundred and five feet high; the Throne Room with
its exquisite Ramayana murals; an elegant wood-panelled library,
and even a private museum; an indoor swimming pool, a Billiards
Room, tennis courts and unique marble squash courts makes Umaid
Bhawan Palace is unabashedly the most magnificent.
The palace was also built with superficial intentions of providing
employment to famine stricken farmers. The Palace now is a five
star deluxe palace hotel. The museum of the palace is highly recommended
for its display of weapons, an array of stuffed leopards, a huge
banner presented by Queen Victoria and an incredible collection
of clocks.
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