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Laxmi Vilas Palace

Historical Background
Moving back to 1890 AD in Vadrodra Gujrat, India, Lakshmi Vilas Palace, was the residence
of the Martha family, the royal family who ruled the Baroda State. The family still occupied
the old Nazarbaug palace, a tall building with an encrustation of pavilions and kiosks on the
roof which the French traveller, Rousselet, found very disquieting until 1860s.

(image source: Wikipedia)

It took 12 years to build the palace and cost around one hundred and eighty thousand
euros. The Lakshmi villas palace was built/designed by Major Mant. He is also known for
designing various other places at Kolhapur and Darbhanga. Afterwards, the palace was
completed by Robert Fellowes Chisholm. As Chisholm told the Royal Institute of British
Architects in 1896. It must be kept in view that the native Rajas and chiefs of India are
passing through a transitional period: that an old palace like that at Ambur would be about
as useless to the present Gaekwar of Baroda as to an ordinary English gentleman.

Introduction
The Lakshmi villas palace is reputed to have been the largest private dwelling built till date.
Comparing the size of the place, it is four times the size of the famous Buckingham Palace of
the Great Britain. The palace covers the area of over 500 acers and houses a number of
buildings, particularly the LVP Banquets and conventions, Moti Bagh Palace and the
Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum building. A golf course was created by Maharaja Pratapsingh
in 1930 for the use of his European guests. It was renovated by Pratapsingh’s grandson
Samarjitsingh a former, Ranji trophy cricket player in 1990s and made open to public.

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2019 batch (3nd sem)
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The palace itself both interior and exterior is very stunning as it immediately catches the eye
of the observer. It looks very huge as well, it’s a palace after all. It’s a type of place where
every people can only dream to live. Lakshmi villas palace is also featured in various
Bollywood movies such as Prem Rog, Dil Hi to hai, Grand masti..etc. Its been a highly
demanded place for the attraction of the tourist. Even though the entire palace is not
allowed to visit for the visitors, certain part of the villa can be observed. The palace is
opened from 9:30 am to 5 pm, and Monday is closed for some reason.
Many activities related to cricket usually takes place at the compound adjacent to the
Motibaug Palace. Golf course, swimming pool, clubhouse, gym and Moti Bagh Cricket
Ground, the famous museum and the current office of Baroda Cricket Association is also a
part of the palace. This massive art-deco palace is still the royal residence and remains open
for tourists sightseeing. Laxmi Vilas Palace is one of the most impressive aesthetic highlights
for both citizens and tourists alike.

Architectural Style
Indo-Saracenic architecture

(image source: google)

Indo-Saracenic architecture is an architectural style movement by British architects in the

late 19th century British India which drew elements form native Indo-Islamic and Indian
architecture, and combined it with the Gothic revival sand Neoclassical styles favoured in
Victorian Britain.

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2019 batch (3nd sem)
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Development of the Style

Before 1857 – European classical style (incorporating Greek and Roman Features such as
columns, triangular pediments) employed for the public buildings: image as the holders of
power and status and to distance themselves from the natives.

Revolt of 1857 – India began to be ruled under the British crown: essential to legitimate
their rule and connect to the natives of the colonised land.
Leading Architects
- Robert Fellowes Chisholm
- Charles Mant
- Henry Irwin
- William Emerson
- George Wittet
- Frederick W. Stevens

Properties of Indo-Saracenic architecture

1. Onion Domes
Onion Domes are types of domes which
resembles the shape of an onion. The diameter of
those domes is usually larger than the
tholobate upon which they sit and their height
exceeds their width.
(image source: google)
2. Overhanging Eaves
Overhanging Eaves are the type of architecture
which extends the roofline to create a veranda or
rainproof in the outdoor space.
They also protect the house from bad weather.
The eaves of the house depend upon the
preferred style of the house.

(image source: google)

3. Pointed Arches, Cusped Arches, or Scalloped Arches
Pointed arches are the type of arches which have a
pointed crown. The two curving sides of arch meet at a
relatively sharp angle at the top of the arch.
The pointed arch are made famous in the Gothic
architecture. It was first appeared in the Indain
architecture and Islamic architecture as a way of
making more decorative windows and doorways, but in
the 12th century it began to be used in France and
England as an important structural element.

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4. Vaulted Roofs
Vaulted roofs are a component in
architecture which is self-supporting arched
form. It is usually made up of stone or brick
and serves to cover a space with a ceiling or
roof. Barrel vault is the simplest kind of
vaulted roof which is usually semi-circular in
shape.
Vaulted roofs are mostly very common in the
cathedral churches. (image source: google)

5. Domed Kiosks
A domed kiosk is an open circular pavilion which consists of
a dome e shaped roof supported by pillars. It was
originated in Islamic architecture.
The kiosks is used in various parts of the countries in all
over the world. It is usually found in public parks in the
united states of America where it may be used as a brand
stand and in private gardens, used as a gazebo or
summerhouse.
The name is also applied to subway entrances, telephone
booths and newsstands.

(image source: google)

6. Towers of Minarets
The tower of minares is an piece of architecture relate to
the Islamic religion. It’s the tower which the faithful are
called to prayer five times each day by a muezzein. These
types of tower are mostly related with a mosque and has
more that one balconies or open galleries.
At the time of the Prophet Muhammad, the call to prayer
made from the highest roof in the vicinity of the mosque.
The very first minarets were the former Greek
watchtowers and the towers of the Christian churches.
They were built between 724 and 727 and has a massive
square form.

7. Harem Windows (image source: google)

A harem windows is also known as mashrabiya. It is
basically an architectural element which is used in Arabic
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2019 batch (3nd sem)
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residence. It is a window enclosed with carved wood latticework located on the

second story of a building or higher. A mashrabiya is often lined with stained glass.
The mashrabiya is mostly used int the middle ages up to the mid-20 th century.
(image source: google)

Exterior and Interior design

The golden stone from the quarries of Songadh is displayed in the exterior of the palace
which gives it its characteristics golden glow when it is seen during the dusks and the dawns.
As mentioned above the Lakshmi villas palace is designed in the Indo-Saracenic style.
Features such as small domed “chattris” with finals, cusped arched arched openings and
jharokha windows are displayed in the façade of the palace. Along with these elements, the
exterior is occupied with elaborately carved stone motifis, brackets, and bands of carvings
and paintings. The exterior of the tower also includes a tall tower that was originally
supposed to be a clock tower but was never materialized. Rather it was mounted with small
red light to indicate the people if the king is in
residence.

Gaekwad Baroda Golf

Club 
The Gaekwad Baroda Golf
Club (GBGC) established in
the early 90’s by erstwhile
Royal family of Baroda, is
today, one of Gujarat's
premier club as also being
the only private golf course in & (image source: deccanchronicle.com)
around
Baroda .The golf course that engulfs the
magnificent Lukshmi Villas Palace makes
this a very special heritage property. The course set up to tournament standards with 5 sets
of tee boxes and large greens, blend in beautifully into the
(image historic
source: estate
deccanchronicle.com)
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2019 batch (3nd sem)
B.A in Interior Architecture
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which has many wonderful old structures,

huge tamarind & neem trees and peacocks & monkeys.
The interiors of the palace are planned around two courtyards, planted with trees and the
water fountains that reminds of one of the tropical climates of India. Along with the trees
and the water fountain which provides the cool afternoons, the royal element is added
which is marble sculptures and cast-iron lamp posts. Some of the other materials used to
decorate the interior of the palace include lavish stucco work, murals, imported crystal
chandeliers, stained glass windows, venetian floor mosaics, Fine pieces of furniture and the
sculptures by the framed Italian artists Felici is also used.

(image source: google) (image source: google)

(image source: alamystock.com) (image source: alamystock.com)

The Lakshmi Villas palace also features a grand staircase with beautiful railings made out of
expensive marbles and wide, long corridors. The corridors surround the palace and provide
sufficient daylight and ventilatition,. Connected via these grandstaircase, and long shaded
corridors are the 170 big and small rooms, some with themes such as the Silver room or the
Gulabi which in english pink room. The most outstanding feature ut of all these is the
possibly the Darbar Hall without seeing which, one cannot gauge the true depth of the
grandeur of the palace.

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2019 batch (3nd sem)
B.A in Interior Architecture
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(image source: flicker.com) (image source: flicker.com)

The Darbar Hall: The Darbar Hall itself covers and area of almost five thousdand square feet.
The most beautiful music and dance concerts a and the lavish dinners used to be organized
in theis grand hal. It is painted in a light ivory shade, the hall is brought to life by the
constrasting golden accompaniments above the arches and the deep brown wooden
balconies lookin down from the first floor.
While the floor of the double heightned hall is fited with extravagant Venetian floor mosiac,
the ceiling show the geometric patterns in shades of green and red. All this is further
ennchanced by the colorful Belgium stained glass windows. The whole arrangements sums
up when the hall is lit up with the huge crystals chandeliers reflecting the shade the ceilings
and painting the room in a royal aura.

(image source: flicker.com) (image source: flicker.com)

Maharaja Fatesingh Museum - The collection of Maharaja Fatesingh Museum Trust is in the
school building located in the Lukshmi Villas Palace compound, formerly known as the
Motibaug School built in 1875 for Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III. Maharaja Pratapsinghrao
Gaekwad and later Maharaja Fatesinghrao Gaekwad, the founder of the trust, as well as
other members of the royal family including Maharaja Ranjitsinh Gaekwad completed their
schooling here. After properly reforming the existing school building to house the art
treasures, Dr. H. Goetz, a renowned museum director and an expert art historian, was
engaged to arrange the show of this museum. Today the lush Lukshmi Villas gardens add
greatly to the quiet and serene air of the museum. The museum was opened to the public in
April, 1961 by Nawab Mehndi Nawaz Jung, the then governor of Gujarat. The museum
collection consists of objects d’arts collected by the Gaekwads of Baroda, Maharaja
Sayajirao Gaekwad III (1875-1939), the visionary of Baroda city. 

Highlighiting Features of the Palace

The palace itself is described as one of the most majestic structures not only in india but all
over the world. It represents the significance of the Indo Saracenic style of architecture
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2019 batch (3nd sem)
B.A in Interior Architecture
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which is a combination fo Hindu, Gothic and Mughal architectural forms with the presence
of domes, minarets and arches.

Lakshmi villas palace is not only known for the palace itself but it features several other
buildings within its complex including the LVP Banquets and Conventions.

The Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum is also one of the main highilighting feature of the
palace. The museum building was originally constructed as a school for the Maharaja’s
children. But as of today, it is an extraordinary collection of paintings by Raja Ravi Verma
and various other artefacts gathered from all around the world.

The clock tower inside the palace stands 300ft in the air. However, the bell was never used
since it was a disturbance to the people around the area. Instead of that a red light would
be switched on when king would be in the residence.
The Lakshmi Villas palace has more no of stained glass than any other palace in the world,
which is justifiable considering the size of the palace.

The muesem has recently inaugurated a headgear gallery where vibrant headgear’s from
Gujarat, Rajasthan and Maharastha collected by Maharaja Ranjitsinh Gaekwad are
displayed. This makes the museum on of the very few Muesum in the country to have a
gallery dedicated to headgear.

Within the huge area compiund of the palace, includes the Baroda Golf Club and the
Motibaug Cricket Grounds. The palace grounds were once used as a small zoo and a little
railway line to ferry the royal children around them.

Construction Materials and Techniques

The materials used to build the palace were a combination of east an dwest architecture.
The basic material for the construction was brick faced with red sandstone from the
quarries of Agra, with some blue trapstone from Poona and marble from the quarries of
Rajasthan.
Fof the construction, workers from Madras came to apply the “chunam” plaster to many of
the interior walls. Afterwards twelve workmen from the Murano Company of Venice spent
eighteen months in Baroda laying the floor of Venetian mosaic in the Durbar hall.
For the doorways of the hall, pillars and the ornamental staircase carrara marble was
imported.

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2019 batch (3nd sem)
B.A in Interior Architecture
Architecture Culture and History 1432 Page 8
 IEC COLLEGE OF ART & FASHION
Affiliated with Limkokwing University of
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(red sandstone, image source: google)

(mosaic tiles, image source: google)

(marbles, image source: google) (blue trapstone, image source: google)

A man from londonnamed Mr Tree made the moulding and gilding on the walls and ceilings,
Mr Goldring from Kew laid out the gardens, Signor Felici from Italy made the sculptures
which decorated the staircase, Durbar hall and other public rooms, and Mr dix from London
executed the stained glass windows. The period furniture, old Masters and Venetian
chandeliers completed the effect. There are even collections of bronze sculptures, relics,
armoury, terrocotta and other antique.
It is perhaps suitable that this concrete guide of eastern and western architectural styles is
probably on its way to becoming an Arts Centre. With its electic Indain exterior and
luxurious European interior, it will serve as a characterstic memorial to the reminiscence of
Sayajiro, and to the curious linking role which the princes were obliged to play in the era of
Brithsh rule. One of the most remarkable creations within the palace is the Durbar hall with
a Venetian mosiac floor, Belgium stained glass windows and walls with complicated mosiac
decorations.

Conclusion
In conclusion, Lakshmi Villas palace stands today as one of the most famous and beautiful
palace in the india. It is a pride of gujrat. This palace is the most impressive Raj-era palaces
in India till date, boasting of well maintained interiors and exteriors. In all the palace ins the
epitome of luxury and is a reflection of the riches of a king who, once was the eighth richest
man in the world.
Since it’s a fabolus place to visit, tourism has been flourished over the gujrat for visiting the
Lakshmi Villas palace alone. The popularity of this palace is as much as that of other famous
monuments of India such as Taj Mahal and Charminar.

Refrences
https://curlytales.com/lakshmi-vilas-palace-facts/
https://www.gujarattourism.com/hotel/details/1014
https://historyofvadodara.in/lukshmi-vilas-palace/
http://www.gaekwadsofbaroda.com/content/lukshmi-vilas-palace
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2019 batch (3nd sem)
B.A in Interior Architecture
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https://www.tourism-of-india.com/laxmi-vilas-palace-vadodara.html
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/india/gujarat/vadodara-baroda/attractions/laxmi-vilas-
palace/a/poi-sig/1153674/356243
https://www.india.com/travel/articles/laxmi-vilas-palace-in-vadodara-is-one-of-the-grandest-
structures-ever-built-3588361/
https://www.gktoday.in/gk/indo-saracenic-style/
https://www.tourism-of-india.com/laxmi-vilas-palace-vadodara.html
https://www.homebuilding.co.uk/overhanging-eaves/

Samrat Tyata
2019 batch (3nd sem)
B.A in Interior Architecture
Architecture Culture and History 1432 Page 10