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Amarsinhji built the Ranjit Vilas Palace on a hill,
overlooking Wankaner town. It took seven years to complete and was
designed by Amarsinhji himself. It was inaugurated by and named after his
dear friend Jam Ranjitsinjhi of Jamnagar.
The ground of the palace extends to two hundred and twenty five acres.
The state guesthouse, Chandra Bhavan is also located in the same campus in
the vicinity of the Ranjit Vilas Palace.
Architecture
Ranjit Vilas Palace is a very eclectic building, a bold attempt to
synthesize various architectural styles. The front and back facades are
appropriately designed in response to its location. The receding volumes,
on the front, creating a series of terraces culminating in two beautifully
designed pavilions with gothic arches.
The
back façade, on the town side, really establishes the palace as an
impressive landmark. The seven storeyed central clock tower capped by a
Mughal dome and two five storeyed high bastions, at both the corners,
culminate in hexagonal 'chhatris'.
The façade has arcades of arched Victorian windows, Italianate
pillars, gothic arches and classical parapets. A massive Dutch roof spans
the central wing of the palace. A double staircase is the unique feature
of the interior of this palace, where the royal ladies could ascend and
descend without being seen by men. A similar double staircase at Chateau
de Chambord, Loire, France, dating to the Renaissance period, inspired
this staircase.
Exotic Decoratives
This palace has a memorable collection of swords, shields and daggers, 95
species of stuffed animals, duelling pistols, pig sticking spears, silver,
linen chests, silver-plated howdahs, thrones, paintings and portraits. The
palace has magnificent spiraling marble staircase, stained glass
galleries, chandeliers and period furniture.
Vintage Car Collection
The garage, on the grounds of the palace complex, has vintage cars like
the 1921 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost, some imposing American cars and
horse-drawn carriages.
The palace also has a stable of Kathiawadi horses. There are large
grounds with beautiful Italianate fountains.