Jai Vilas Palace

The Jai Vilas Mahal or The Jai Vilas Palace is one of India's most grandiose nineteenth-century palaces. It was built in 1875 by H. H. Maharaja Jayaji Rao Scindia (Shinde), the Maharaja of Gwalior and to this day remains the residence of the former royal Maratha family – The Scindias (Shindes)

Background:
In 1875, Maharaja Jayaji Rao Scindia dispatched his friend Colonel Michael Filose on a grand tour of Europe to seek inspiration. Filose returned with a vast shipment of furniture, fabric, paintings, tapestries and cut glass, together with the blueprints for a building that borrowed heavily from Buckingham Palace, Versailles, and Greek ruins and Italian-Baroque stately homes. The result is a blend of Doric, Tuscan and Corinthian architecture.

Treasures:
A part of the palace has been converted into a museum and the eye catching treasures in the same include a silver toy train used by His Highness Jayaji Rao Scindia to dispense brandy and cigars after dinner, a glass cradle from Italy used for the baby Krishna on each Janmashtami, silver dinner services and swords that were once worn by Emperors Aurangzeb and Shah Jahan. The museum offers an unparalleled glimpse into the rich culture and lifestyle of princely India and royalty of the powerful Maratha Dynasty.

Visiting Hours:
Jai Vilas Palace is open on six days of week from 10.00 AM to 5.00 PM. It is closed on Wednesday. It is open on Diwali Festival day but closed on Bhai Dooj i.e. two days after Diwali. For Indians the cost of ticket is Rs 60 and a child is charged full.

Contact Number: +91-751-2372390.