Inside the World’s Largest Private Residence: The Legacy of Lakshmi Vilas Palace
In the heart of Vadodara Gujarat stands a marvel that has withstood the test of time for years the Lakshmi Vilas Palace Commissioned in by Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III and completed in the palace is not merely a royal residence but a symbol of India s cultural exchange during the colonial era Spread across an astonishing million square feet it is considered the world s largest private residence ten times larger than Turkey s White Palace and times the size of Buckingham Palace The Vision of a MaharajaMaharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III one of the most progressive rulers of his time envisioned a palace that would represent both the might of Baroda and the spirit of cultural openness He entrusted British architect Major Charles Mant to design the structure in the Indo-Saracenic style a fusion of Indian Islamic and European elements Mant however passed away before the palace was finished The
