Over the years, we have seen some truly luxurious private residences, both in India and across the world. These homes often catch our eye with their architecture or price tags. One such name is Antilia, Mukesh Ambani’s 27-story skyscraper in South Mumbai that made headlines in November 2010. The sheer scale of the building turned heads everywhere.
However, Mukesh Ambani’s Antilia is not the largest private residence in India. That distinction belongs to Laxmi Vilas Palace, built by the Gaekwads of Baroda. Located in Vadodara, this sprawling palace holds the title of the largest private home in the country.
About the Heritage Property
Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III commissioned Laxmi Vilas Palace in the 1880s, during the height of the Indo-Saracenic Revival. With numerous artworks, multi-coloured marble and countless fountains, the Palace is reputed to be four times the size of Buckingham Palace. It spans over 3,04,92,00 square feet and in comparison, the British royal residence cover 828,821 square feet.
Before Laxmi Vilas Palace came to be, the Gaekwads resided in either the Maharaja Palace, also known as the Sarkarwada, or the Nazarbaug Palace. Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III decided to create something grander and enlisted the help of Major Charles Mant, a renowned architect of the time. Mant, who had designed similar palaces in Kolhapur and Darbhanga, took on Laxmi Vilas as his most ambitious project. Unfortunately, he passed away due to poor mental health before completing it. After his passing, architect Robert Fellows Chisolm was brought in to finish the palace.
Even though the palace was built in 1890 for INR 1.91 crore (GBP 180,000), it was ahead of its time with amenities that are still impressive today. The palace had an internal telephone system, elevators and a reliable electrical supply—luxuries that were quite modern for its era.
Who were the Gaekwads?
The Gaekwads were a prominent Hindu Maratha dynasty that governed the Maratha Empire and later the princely state of Baroda in western India. From the early 18th century up until 1947, they reigned as the Maharajas of Baroda. Their state was one of the wealthiest and most influential princely states, standing alongside British India in terms of prominence and significance.
The Gaekwads built their fortune through thriving ventures in the cotton industry and the production of rice, wheat and sugar. Their economic success and influence made a lasting impact on the region’s history.
Even after the Indian government abolished the monarchy system post-independence, the Gaekwads of Baroda hold a place in the hearts of Vadodara’s residents, who still show the current head of the royal family deep respect and regard.
Inside the Palace
Laxmi Vilas Palace has two expansive courtyards, shaded by trees and enhanced by mountains that helped keep the palace cool during the sweltering summer afternoons. The floors, covered in marbles and mosaics, have been carefully maintained over time. Inside, the palace houses a collection of art, including weapons and paintings by the venerated artist Raja Ravi Verma.
The grounds of the palace are vast and diverse, including parks, gold courses and the LVP Banquets & Conventions. The estate also features Moti Baug Palace, the Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum and the Moti Bagh Cricket Cround, which hosts the Baroda Cricket Association’s offices. For recreation, there is an indoor tennis court and a badminton court with a teak wood floor. In its prime, the palace even had a small zoo and a railway track for transporting the royal children around the estate.
Standing four stories tall, the palace has 170 rooms, all originally reserved for the Maharaja and Maharani. The palace gardens were designed by Sir William Goldring, a celebrated botanist known for his imaginative landscaping.
Current Residents of the Palace
Smarjitisnh Ranjitsinh Gaekwad, born on April 25, 1967, is a former first-class cricketer and grew up as the only son of Ranjitsinh Pratasinh Gaekwad and Shubhuanginiraje. After his father’s passing, Samarjitisnh was officially named Maharaja in May 2012. The coronation was celebrated with a grand ceremony at Laxmi Vilas Palace on June 22, 2012. By 2013, he has resolved a long-running inheritance dispute with his uncle, Sangramsinh Gaekwad, which made him the sole owner of Laxmi Vilas Palace.
In 2002, he tied the knot with Radhikaraje, who was born on July 19, 1978, and belonged to the Wankaner state of Gujarat. Before she married the Maharaj, she worked as a journalist. The couple currently head the erstwhile royal family and reside in the palace along with their two daughters.
Discover more stories on luxury, business, culture, and innovation here at Candle Magazine