Information on Vijay Vilas Palace (Kutch, Gujarat) - History & Architecture

The Vijay Vilas palace is a particular monument that is situated in the sea beach of Mandvi in the Kutch region of the Indian state of Gujarat. The palace is was once known as the summer palace owing to the aspect the Jadeja rulers or the Rajas of Kutch used this palace as their summer resort. Observably, Vijay Vilas palace rises from a multi-acre estate to the coast near the town of Kutch. It is a worth to visit Palace as it was once the royal palace and so intricately designed and decorated that depicts the architectural beauty of the era.

Vijay Vilas Palace Architecture

Notably, the palace was built following the merger of several key architectural style. The palace was designed by Maharao Vijay Singhji under his supervision. The palace is established in an area of 450 acres of lush greenery with an additional 2 kilometers of private beach. The Palace also has its own personal sanctuary which preserved environmental process to ensure it is not deteriorated in the long run. The work of the architects are deemed to quite good that it can still be seen in the harmonious look of the palace. The palace has many things to see including the offices of the Maharaos, the room where they entertain themselves, the old living quarters and the audience hall among others. The rounded terrace has a view where one can see the beautiful view of the sea. The structure of palace was made in the year 1920 and was finished in year 1929. The palace was constructed mostly with red sandstone. It also has all the essentials of Rajput architecture and was made mostly on the strategy of palaces of Orchha and Datia. Thus the architectural splendor and the importance is note worthy and to be praised off.

Vijay Vilas Palace History

Historically the palace has rich heritage associated with it. The Vijay Vilas palace was known to be constructed during the reign of Raja Maharao Shri Khengarji in the mid-19th century. The king i.e. Maharao Vijay Singhji, who ruled over Kutch during the period of the 1940s ensured high quality and never before seen design of the palace with an eclectic merger. One of the most important feature of the history of the palace is that it has its own private beach which keeps the temperature of the entire place quite low throughout the year. The beach is also known to act as air conditioned tented housing for the palace. It was notable from historical reports that the Royal family of Princely State of Kutch used the palace as their personal residence for quite a longer duration. In the initial days the palace was only used by the royal family as their summer residence but in later history an extensive use of the same was seen. However, most parts of the fort were ruined after the earth quake during the year 2001 in Gujarat. The natural calamity have damaged one of the extensions of the other palace at Bhuj i.e. the Ranjit Vilas which was also used as a residence by the same royal family as of the Vijay Vilas Palace. In the present day context, the palace is also used as a museum and a sanctuary where one can find blue decrees, jackals and an occasional chinkara. People can also see the peacocks playing in the palace surroundings as well as partridges and other birds of the forest. Thus one would surely fall in love with beauty of the palace and soak in the historical importance that it carries even today.

Vijay Vilas Palace Tourism Importance

A popular Bollywood Movie, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam which won the heart of billions of movie lovers, was picturised inside this fort. Well to be very true with my words, you must have been fascinated with the story of the movie as the movie is such, but if you have ever notice or come across once again, the intricate works inside the fort would surely leave you speechless. The architectural brilliance, the intricate works on the walls and the planning for its splendid look leaves a deep sense of remark of the architectural genius that exists during that era. It is truly a treat for history lovers to behold the beauty.