A splendid example of the Indo-colonial and the art deco style of the thirties,Umaid Bhawan is one of the largest and grandest private residence in the world.Built between 1929 and 1943,over,3,000 artisans worked for more than 14 years to create this magnificent edifice.

If there is one palace that combines architectural extravaganza with aesthetic triumph, it is the Umaid Bhawan Palace. If there is something that is best experienced than described, it is absolutely a stay at the Umaid Bhawan Palace. From the time of the origin of Jodhpur to the present day, the Rathore capital suffered severe scarcity of water and drought followed with unfailing regularity every third or fourth year. A tradition developed among the Maharajas to alleviate the suffering of people by creating work. The work usually took the form of building canals, roads, temples, stepwells and palaces. Rosita Forbes, travelling in the 1930s through Jodhpur, experienced firsthand the severe rainless times in Jodhpur, and described the goings-on: 'The scarcity of water in the city has been remedied by the erection of a reservoir with eight pumping stations. Roads are spreading. Fine buildings are springing up on the outskirts of the lovely town…

History of Umaid Bhawan Palace:
Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur was commissioned by Maharaja Umaid Singhji. Maharaji Umaid Singhji was taken in by the western lifestyle and assigned the task of building the palace to the illustrious Edwardian architect called Henry Vaughan Lanchester. His indubitable skills and job expertise are equivalent to that of Edward Lutyens who was the architect of New Delhi. Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur is a spectacular and grand structure that incorporates as many as three hundred and forty seven spacious rooms.

The palace was built on the orders of Umaid Singh, the then ruler of Jodhpur, in the early part of the twentieth century. What the palace lacks in terms of antiquity, it makes up for in terms of size and opulence. The architects of this palace were a professional firm in London, who drew up the drafts for the palace. The amalgamation of British and traditional Indian architectural styles shaped the unique interiors and façade of the palace. The brilliant Art Deco style, then popular in much of the Western world, found a place in the palace blueprints.

Today, visitors can see the cozy library, paneled with wood. The throne room has murals depicting the events mentioned in the Ramayana, the grand Indian epic. The palace also has a museum displaying the documents, letters, and costumes from the times of Umaid Singh. You can also see the gifts presented to the king by various monarchs and titled people from around the world.

The palace is a treasure trove of old clocks, ceramics, furniture, and cut glass items. Another fine collection here is that of some rare rocks. It is easy to see that Umaid Singh was a connoisseur of art and all things fine, and an avid collector too.

Once the princely estates were taken away from the kings as India gained independence and became a democracy, the descendants of Umaid Singh turned the palace into a heritage hotel. The hotel is run by the Taj Group, and guests have the privilege of staying at a room or suite that once housed a royal; very little in the rooms have changed since then.  Alisha Singh