Rajwada

{{Short description|Historic building in Indore, India}} {{Promotional|date=May 2024}} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2017}} {{Use Indian English|date=March 2017}} {{Infobox building | name = Rajwada | image = Indore_Rajwada01.jpg | caption = Main entrance of Rajwada | location = Indore, MP, India | address = | coordinates = | construction_start_date = 1747 | completion_date = 1766 | inauguration_date = | demolished_date = | destruction_date = | architect = | landlord = | owner = Government of Madhya Pradesh (Directorate of Archaeology, Archives and Museums- Grade A protected monument) | cost = | floor_area = | floor_count = 7 | awards = | ren_awards = | references = | pushpin_map = | altitude = {{convert|553|m|ft|abbr=on|0}} | building_type = Residential royal palace | architectural_style = Mixed, Maratha style | structural_system = | ren_cost = | tenant = | current_tenants = | renovation_date = 4 times, latest being February 2023 By Indore Municipal Corporation<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-03-14 |title=IMC nails damage newly restored Rajwada Palace |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/indore/imc-nails-damage-newly-restored-rajwada-palace/articleshow/98619958.cms#:~:text=The%20restoration%20of%20Rajwada%20palace,Holkar%20between%201747%20and%201766. |access-date=2024-07-30 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> | height = | other_dimensions = | architecture_firm = | structural_engineer = | services_engineer = | civil_engineer = | other_designers = | quantity_surveyor = | main_contractor = | ren_architect = | ren_firm = | ren_str_engineer = | ren_serv_engineer = | ren_civ_engineer = | ren_oth_designers = | ren_qty_surveyor = | latitude = | longitude = | diameter = }}

'''Rajwada''', also known as the '''Holkar Palace''' or '''Old Palace''', is a historical palace in Indore that was constructed by the Holkars of the Maratha empire around 2 centuries ago. An example of the architecture of the time, the palace is a 7-story structure that is placed near the Krishnapura Chhatri. The structure has gained the attention of tourists due to its size and age.

The construction of the palace was started by Malhar Rao Holkar, the founder of Holkar Dynasty, in the year 1747 A.D. This structure is placed in Khajuri Bazaar, near the center of the city. The palace has the Shiv Vilas Palace (New Palace) on the right and faces a garden with a statue of Maharani Ahilya Bai Holkar, fountains, and an artificial waterfall.<ref>{{Cite web |title=History {{!}} District Indore, Government of Madhya Pradesh |url=https://indore.nic.in/en/history/ |website=www.indore.nic.in}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Rajwada Palace Museum |url=http://beta.museumsofindia.org//museum/11790/rajwada-palace-museum |access-date=2024-06-14 |website=beta.museumsofindia.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-03-14 |title=IMC nails damage newly restored Rajwada Palace |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/indore/imc-nails-damage-newly-restored-rajwada-palace/articleshow/98619958.cms#:~:text=The%20restoration%20of%20Rajwada%20palace,Holkar%20between%201747%20and%201766. |access-date=2024-07-30 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>

During the tenure of the Shyama Charan Shukla government, Narayan Prasad Shukla, then Home Minister from Indore, played a key role in securing Rajwada Palace under the ownership of the Government of Madhya Pradesh, preventing its continuation as private property and enabling its protection as a state-owned heritage monument.

== Structure == The structure comprises two parts with one near the center of the city and the other in an older section. Both parts utilize Maratha architectural styles. The entrance itself is marked with a large wooden door, supported by iron studs. Inside the entryway, there is a courtyard that consists of a Maratha arched Ganesha hall and a number of balconies, windows, and corridors that link to galleried rooms. The lower three floors are made of stone and the upper floors are made of wood.

The existing building is rectangular with cylindrical bastions at the four corners. It was originally constructed in 1766, and the southern part was later rebuilt in the years 1811–1833 after being damaged by fire. The front bay has forecourt assessed by a large fenestration in the front façade. The Rajwada building is now state property under Archeology, which granted special permission for restoring the old wada (residence) after the main building was damaged during the 1984 riots. This building was restored by H.H Usha Raje Holkar with the assistance of architects Himanshu Dudwadkar and Shreya Bhargava who used the 200-year-old blueprint. Additionally, the same material & finishes were used while adhering to modern seismic structural requirements. The restoration was designed to be identical to its previous state which was constructed with thin bricks in lime mortar with lime plaster, wooden columns with stone bases, rough black basalt flooring, and a brick paved courtyard. The only departure from the original building was a concealed pipe frame for structural stability which was necessary because the building lies in an earthquake prone area. This modification was also required to obtain relevant building permissions.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.indore.nic.in/place.htm#rajwada|title=Rajbada in Indore|date=2010-03-23|publisher=Indore Administration|accessdate=2010-03-23|archive-date=30 March 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100330130248/http://www.indore.nic.in/place.htm#rajwada|url-status=dead}}</ref>

After renovation of palace by H.H. Usharaje S Holkar in March 2007, another renovation was conducted by Indore Municipal Corporation from 2017 to 2023. Firstly it was scheduled for completion in 2019 but postponed due to budget related issues and COVID-19 pandemic in India. Rajwada was open after almost 6 years in February 2023.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-03-14 |title=IMC nails damage newly restored Rajwada Palace |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/indore/imc-nails-damage-newly-restored-rajwada-palace/articleshow/98619958.cms#:~:text=The%20restoration%20of%20Rajwada%20palace,Holkar%20between%201747%20and%201766. |access-date=2024-07-30 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>

==Gallery== <gallery mode="packed" caption="Image Gallery"> File:Rajwada at Indore, Madhya Pradesh 15 50 06 882000.jpeg|Gate File:Rajwada at Indore, Madhya Pradesh 15 49 52 826000.jpeg|Hall File:Rajwada at Indore, Madhya Pradesh 15 49 38 004000.jpeg|Detailed wood carving File:Rajwada at Indore, Madhya Pradesh 15 49 43 858000.jpeg|Another hall File:HolkarPalace, Indore.jpg|One of the main halls File:Ahilya Status Rajwada Indore 2014.jpg|Ahilyabai Holkar statue in front File:Rajwada Indore Diwali.jpg|Rajwada Palace as seen on Diwali 2014 </gallery>

== References == {{Reflist}}

== External links ==

Category:Buildings and structures of the Maratha Empire Category:History of Malwa Category:Tourist attractions in Indore Category:Palaces in Madhya Pradesh Category:History of Indore Category:Buildings and structures in Indore Category:Monuments and memorials in Madhya Pradesh Category:1766 establishments in India Category:Royal residences in India Category:Maratha architecture