The oldest extant palace in Gondal, the 17th Century Naulakha palace is a festival of stone carvings with exquisite Jarokha balconies, a fabulous pillared stud courtyard, delicately carved arches and a unique spiral staircase. The private palace museum has an impressive display of silver caskets which carried messages and gifts for Maharajah Bhagwat Sinhji on hills silver jubilee as ruler of Gondal, one of the many golden caskets received by him on his 50th anniversary, the weighing scales on which he was measured against silver and gold on the respective anniversaries, and princely relics.
The royal garages, have an extensive collection of Vintage and classic cars a 1935 Mercedes, 1955 Cadillac Limousine, sports cars from the 1950s and '60s like the Mercedes 300 SL, Jaguar XK 150 and Chevrolet Camaro, and a fleet of 4 wheel drive vehicles from the WW-2 and post war period, and some contemporary sports cars. Most of these cars are restored and some bear the original Gondal state number plates. Located in the town of Junagarh in Gujarat, the owners of the palaces of Gondal are descendants of Lord Krishna and the moon God, who ruled Gondal for more than 300 years. But it was in the late-19th and early-20th century under Maharjah Bhagwat Sinhji that Gondal grew into one of the most progressive princely states of the region with an efficient system of a taxless economy . Under Maharjah Bhagwat Sinhji, Gondal became a progressive state where women were concerned. The Rajput system of 'Purdah' was abolished, education was made compulsory for girls and 'Zananas' (restricted women's wing) were no longer built in palaces. The present owner of the palaces of Gondal is the great - grandson of Maharajah Bhagwat Sinhji. |
