Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur

Constructed of marble and pink sandstone. Umaid Bhawan Palace is also known as the Chhittar Palace because it uses local Chittar sandstone. Begun in 1929, it was designed by president of the British Royal Institute of Architects for Maharaja Umaid Singh and took 15 years to complete.

Probably the most surprising thing about this grandiose palace is that it was built so close to Independence, after which Maharajas and their grand extravagances were a thing of the past.



Umaid Singh died in 19478, four years after the palace was completed; the current Maharaja Gaj Singh II, still lives in part of the building. The rest has been converted into a hotel.