In the heart of Vadodara, Gujarat, stands a marvel that has withstood the test of time for 135 years—the Lakshmi Vilas Palace. Commissioned in 1878 by Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III and completed in 1890, the palace is not merely a royal residence but a symbol of India’s cultural exchange during the colonial era. Spread across an astonishing 30.5 million square feet, it is considered the world’s largest private residence, ten times larger than Turkey’s White Palace and 36 times the size of Buckingham Palace.

The Vision of a Maharaja

Maharaja 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 project was then completed by Robert Fellowes Chisholm, who gave it its grand and eclectic character. The surrounding gardens were laid out by British landscape architect William Goldring, completing a palace that was both local and global in spirit.

Home of a Royal Dynasty

The palace has always been the seat of the Gaekwad family, the Maratha dynasty that ruled Baroda from the early 18th century until India’s independence. Four Gaekwad kings have been crowned here, including the present Maharaja, HH Samarjitsinh Ranjitsinh Gaekwad, in 2012. His wife, HH Radhikaraje Gaekwad, is not only the Maharani of Baroda but also a passionate activist for heritage crafts and women’s empowerment.

Durbar Hall: A Cultural Manifesto

Among the palace’s many ornate spaces, the Durbar Hall is perhaps the most breathtaking. Designed to be the cultural heart of Baroda, it is both a political statement and an architectural masterpiece. The hall features a Venetian mosaic floor inspired by rangoli patterns, a lacquered ceiling in Mughal-era Islamic designs, and Belgian stained-glass windows depicting Hindu deities like Ram, Sita, and Bala Krishna—blessing the king and his court. Rosewood balconies with brackets carved as sari-clad angels allowed royal women to watch proceedings discreetly, blending European iconography with Indian traditions. Every corner of the Durbar Hall reflects the dialogue between India and the world, echoing the Gaekwads’ vision of Baroda as a hub of cultural discovery.

The Coronation Room: Power and Symbolism

The Gaddi Hall, or Coronation Room, is drenched in regal shades of ruby red, seafoam green, and gold. This is where four Gaekwad kings have been crowned, each ceremony adding to the palace’s aura of continuity. The hall also houses ivory and silver elephant carriages, used in royal processions, and paintings by Indian masters that carry mythological and spiritual symbolism as reminders of the ruler’s responsibility to his people. 

Unlike many palaces that remain closed, the Gaekwad family has opened Lakshmi Vilas Palace to the public in remarkable ways. Annual dance festivals, vintage car shows, and craft fairs are hosted in its vast grounds. The Durbar Hall regularly becomes a stage for music concerts, blending the past with the present.

A Palace That Lives On

Today, Lakshmi Vilas Palace stands as both a tribute to history and a promise for the future. It is a reminder of the cultural fusion that shaped modern India, a showcase of artisanal excellence, and a symbol of resilience that continues to inspire. For the Gaekwads, it is home; for India, it is heritage; and for the world, it is proof that architecture can be more than walls—it can be a story, a memory, and a legacy.