Samode
Palace Samode
according to the Rajputana Gazetteer of 1879 was a
large and flourishing town. The Zamidars (landlords)
of Samode the principal thakurs of the state of Amber
were the Nathawat clan from Chomu, a branch of the
house of Amber, tracing their relation to the Jaipur
Maharaja the fabled Prithviraj Singhji the 17th prince
of the house of Kacchwaha Rajputs. Gopal Singhji one
of his 12 sons was awarded Samode, a noble feudatory
of the Amber & Jaipur principality. It was among
the wealthiest territories in the Amber kingdom. The
Zamidari eventually passed within the clan to the
hands of Behari Das, a Rajput warrior in Mughal Service.
After 6 generations in the hands of his descendants
Samode was relinquished to the Raj.
In 1757 the territory was returned to the Nathawats
(the hereditary title of 'Rawal Saheb' still rests
with the present family). For the 1st half of it's
existence Samode Palace was a little more than a fortified
stronghold in the rugged Rajput tradition. Only in
the early 19th century under Rawal Berisal did the
castle begin to take on the lavish aspects it is now
known for. He was an eminent statesman who reached
distinction as the principal signatory (on behalf
of the Jaipur Maharaja) of the historic 1818 treaty
making Jaipur a protectorate of British East India
Company. He later became Chief Minister of Jaipur
and weilded absolute power.
Samode
Palace quite clearly began expanding at the time
of his reign and continued under his descendant
Rawal Sheo Singh who was the Prime Minister of Jaipur
state for several years during the middle of the
19th century. He is credited with the Palace's most
fabulous addition - the extravagantly florid had
painted Darbar Hall and the overlooking gallery
which forms the breathtaking Sheesh Mahal or the
hall of mirrors. Samode Palace was transformed into
one the country's premium palace hotels in 1987,
and is a perfect example of Rajput-Moghul architecture.
The palace is built on a small hillock and planned
in a progression of courtyards of increasing height.
Location
Samode
Palace is reached by a short road from Chandwaji where
it branches off the Delhi-Jaipur highway. The Samode
Palace comes into view like a mirage rising above
cobbled streets and stone houses of the village of
Samode.
Access
Jaipur
Airport - 56 km
Railway station - 40 km
New Delhi Int'l Airport - 250 km
Accommodation
Each
of the 43 spacious rooms and suites all with a balcony
or patio are exclusive and are decorated in the warm
colours and textures of local Rajasthani hand block
print textiles and adorned with traditional artifacts.
