104 Palaces to Explore in India

Aaina Mahal Palace is an 18th-century palace that is located next to the Prag Mahal in Darbargadh, Bhuj, Gujarat, India. The palace was built by Rao Lakhpatji of Cutch State around 1750. Lakhpatji's master craftsman Ram Singh Malam designed the palace in the local style and decorated it in the European style with glass, mirrors, and tiles.

The mighty edifice of Aga Khan Palace is situated in Pune and was built by Sultan Muhammed Shah Aga Khan III in the year 1892. It is one of the most important landmarks in Indian history and has been instrumental in many defining moments of India's independence. It was once the site where Mahatma Gandhi, his wife Kasturba Gandhi, as well as Sarojini Naidu and Mahadev Desai were held prisoners.

It was the main residence of the emperors of the Mughal Dynasty until 1638 when the capital was shifted from Agra to Delhi. The fort can be more accurately described as a walled city.

Ahilya Fort, in the central Indian town of Maheshwar, sits high above the sacred river Narmada. Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar ruled here from 1765 to 1796 and built Ahilya Wada, her personal residences, offices, and darbaar audience hall, within the fort. In the year 2000, Prince Richard Holkar, her descendant and son of the last Maharaja of Indore, converted his home in Ahilya Wada into a guest residence, today known around the world as the Ahilya Fort Hotel.

Build in the 18th century, this magnificent fort is located in the foothills of Aravalli, right below Bala Quila. The fort is a perfect blend of Mughal and Rajput architecture.

Constructed by King Raja Amar of Dogra in 1890s, this museum was planned by a French architect and looks like a French chateau with Indian artisans. It was home to the royal family for many years. Made of red sand stone, the palace was turned into a museum with rich collections of paintings, books, inscriptions and sculptures. The Durbar hall of the museum is adorned with family portraits of rulers of Jammu and Kashmir along with magnificent Pahari paintings.

Arakkal Museum (also known as Arakkal Kettu/ Arakkal Palace) was the residence of the former Arakkal Ali Rajas, the only Muslim royal family of Kerala. The museum is located in Ayikkara Mapila Bay, about three kilometres from Kannur Town of Kerala State in Southern India. The museum now displays numerous artefacts and ornaments belonging to the Rajas and it is protected by Archeological and Tourism Departments.

The Arki palace was built between 1695 - 1700 by Rana Prithvi Singh a descendant of Rana Sabha Chand. The Diwan Khana of the palace has very nice paintings in Kangra style . The paintings depict incidents from mythology, religion, history, and culture. They include Kamdev's arrows on Shiva, Kalia-Mardan which represent mythology whereas the paintings of Sikh-Mughal battles represent events of history.

A Haveli in Udaipur right on the waterfront of Lake Pichola at Gangothri ghat .The palace has over a hundred rooms, with displays of costumes and modern art. The glass and mirror in the interiors are Haveli work.

Balaram Palace is a palace situated on the bank of the Balram river. It is now converted into a hotel. Palace was built during 1922 to 1936 by Sir Tale Muhammad Khan, 29th Nawab of Palanpur state.

An epitome of great architecture and beauty which is preserved in it the spice of old regal opulence. Which is now the host for many cultural events, marriages, rock shows apart from a tourist destination.

This is the royal residence and the headquarters of the Bastar kingdom. This palace is visited by thousands of tourists who visit to have a look of this significant architectural brilliance.

Built in 1891, the Maharaja’s palace is set in approximately 75 acres and has a truly regal setting with spectacular views. A wide variety of cottages, suites and rooms with different tariffs can accommodate every visitor who wish to savor this majestic hill station.

Chandra Mahal is situated inside the main City Palace, which occupies around one-seventh area of the city. This mahal was built by Maharaja Jai Singh II and later on renovations were done by his descendants. It is presently the residence of the Maharaja of Jaipur and has a seven-storeyed citadel

The former centre of the ‘City of Nizams’, Hyderabad, the splendid Chowmahalla Palace was the seat of the rulers of the Asaf Jahi dynasty. This palace became the venue where the Nizams used to entertain their important guests and special visitors and organize ceremonial ceremonies. Erected around 200 years ago, Chowmahalla Palace boasts of exquisite architecture and magnificence.

The City Palace, Jaipur was established by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. After the Maharaja moved his court to Jaipur from Amber, in 1727, the City Palace not only became the ceremonial and administrative seat of the Maharaja of Jaipur but was also the location of religious and cultural events, as well as a patron of arts, commerce, and industry.

A palace complex situated in the city of Udaipur built over a period of nearly 400 years. Built in a flamboyant style and is considered the largest of its type in the state of Rajasthan.

This is the royal palace protected by the Archeological Survey of India in Cooch Behar which boasts of remarkable architecture similar to that of Buckingham Palace. It has graceful interiors and exteriors and it is a must-visit place for historians and those who want to go back to the royal ancient era.

Darbargadh Palace, arranged in Jamnagar city, was at first inherent 1540 AD, the development went on irregularly prompting a last artful culmination of history and engineering having both Rajput and European impacts. It is situated toward the east of Chandi Chowk in Jamnagar city. Jamnagar was established by Jam Shri Rawalji in 1540 and Darbargadh came to end up their in front of the rest of the competition of home. Rawalji initially had a place with Kutch.

Bir Singh Palace also called as Datia Palace. The speciality of this palace is that it is of 7 floors. However, neither member from the royal family did ever live here. The founder of the Datia State in Bundelkhand - Maharaj Birsingh Deo Build many such 52 monuments all around the country. It is the biggest and most famous of all the 52 palaces build by Raja Bir Singh Deo and it can be seen easily from a long distance.