Wankaner

Ranjit Vilas Palace
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 culminated in two beautiful designed pavilions with gothic arches. The back facade, on the town side, really establishes the palace as in impressive landmark. The seven-storied central clock tower capped by a Mughal dome and two five storied high bastions, at the both corners, culminate in hexagonal chhatris. The facade 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 women 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.

Ranjit Vilas Palace has memorable collection of swords, shields and daggers, 95 species of stuffed animals, dueling pistols, pig-sticking spears, silve- lined chests, silver-platted howdahs, thrones, painting and portraits. The palace has magnificent spiraling marble staircase, stained glass galleries, and chandeliers and period furniture. 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 Italian fountains.

Step Well
Wankaner also has a step well, the last one to be built in Gujarat. In the royal oasis complex, the 3- storied step well, has two underground floors with cool subterranean marble rooms, fine sculptures and a fountain.

Wankaner was among the first few royal families of India to convert their palaces into Heritage Hotels, which have guestrooms, maintained in the original royal style.

Around Wankaner

Morbi (27 km):
Green Chowk, Darbargadh, Art Deco Palace, Wellingdon secretariat, railway station, Nehru Gate, Lakhdhirjee Engineering College are worth visiting.

Halvad (75 km):
Ek-Dandia Mahal- wooden palace, cenotaphs of warriors-chhatris, step wells, Shiva Temples

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