Gondal was the most satisfying surprise of our trip. I happened to see the name of the city on the map and visited it on a whim - and was shocked to see that it was home to some of the finest palaces and museums in Saurashtra.
It was considered once of the best managed states in Kathiawar in British times, and this speaks volumes for the Gondal royal family - Respect!
It was considered once of the best managed states in Kathiawar in British times, and this speaks volumes for the Gondal royal family - Respect!
The first edifice we saw was the 'Riverside palace'
It has now been converted into a heritage hotel, and for a small fee, you can tour the inside.
See the small, but stately main hall - full of hunting trophies. Gujarat must have been so rich in forest wealth. See the big three - Lion, Tiger and Leopard.
And multiple varieties of deer!
Stuffed baby elephants from Africa
What beautiful carved wooden doors!
Can't be a royal palace without the crossed swords and shield somewhere. See the photos of the royal family.
We found that there are two more palaces in Gondal. The ancient 'Naulakkha palace' which is a heritage building, and another palace which is the residence of the royal family - but parts of it have been converted into a hotel and museum are were open for visitors.
We rushed off there, and what do we see? A Vintage car museum! WOOHOO
We rushed off there, and what do we see? A Vintage car museum! WOOHOO
The cars were cool - but I thought that the registration plate is the coolest thing ever! Perks of owning the kingdom! GONDAL 1!
It's pretty cool to have your own racing car...
...But it's even cooler to have your own train car !
...And your own train station !
The Heritage hotel part of the palace
Then we hot-footed it to the original ancient palace - the 'Naulakkha palace'
This would be the last of the stone palaces I think...most people started building with bricks and concrete after that
It had some nice stone work
See these two panels - they look alike, but are different designs! One has a flower in the centre, while the other has a peacock.
The Royal Durbar, where the king held his court
The stables - the vintage car of his time I suppose
Names of the horses - this is the list of the Mares..
And this is the list of the Stallions!
How difficult it must have been for the horse-loving people to stop keeping horses.
How difficult it must have been for the horse-loving people to stop keeping horses.
The modern kings got into observing and photographing nature rather than killing it
And became respected naturalists!
Awesome collection of toy cars for the royal kiddos
But the toy cars are in such mint condition that one wonders if the kids were ever allowed to play with them!
This was the guy who started it all! The Doctor Maharaja! What a guy! Read about him in the book.
He used to get himself weighed in gold on these scales and distribute that gold to the poor.
The impressive entry arch to the palace
Bawa is always working! Here he is slaving away in the hotel room at the end of the day. That's what you call work life balance!