Umaid Bhawan Palace

Built between 1928 and 1943, Umaid Bhawan Palace is the last great palace constructed in India before independence. Commissioned by Maharaja Umaid Singh as a famine relief project — employing over 3,000 craftsmen for 15 years — the palace spans 347 rooms and sits on 26 acres of landscaped grounds on the city's highest point, Chittar Hill.

Part of the palace remains the private residence of the Jodhpur royal family; a wing operates as a Taj hotel; and the museum wing is open to visitors. The museum holds the Maharaja's collection of vintage cars, art deco clocks, royal memorabilia, and photographs from the palace's construction. The architecture is a compelling fusion of Indo-Saracenic, Classical, and Art Deco styles — the interior uses Burmese teak throughout and the central dome rises 56 metres.

The contrast between Umaid Bhawan — a 20th-century palace of industrial ambition — and the medieval sandstone of Mehrangarh is one of Jodhpur's most interesting architectural juxtapositions. Both tell the story of Jodhpur's rulers across entirely different eras.

Tips for Visiting

• →Museum entry is separate from the hotel — buy tickets at the gate
• →The palace grounds and exterior are best seen in late afternoon golden light
• →Combine with Jaswant Thada, the royal cenotaph — 10 minutes from the palace