Lalgarh Palace Historical Facts and Pictures

Located in the Rajputana city of Bikaner, in the Indian state of Rajasthan, lies the exquisite Lalgarh (also spelt Lallgarh) Palace. Supposedly built between 1906 and 1926, the palace was commissioned by the British regency for Maharaja Ganga Singh (1881-1942) as his existing palace in Junagarh was considered unsuitable for use by a modern monarch. Maharaja Ganga Singh decided to name the palace in the memory of his father Maharaja Lall Singh, hence the name Lallgarh Palace.

The structure was designed by the British architect Sir Samuel Swinton Jacob and displays an amalgamation of Mughal, Rajputana and colonial British styles. The three storey palace complex is built out of imposing red sandstone quarried from the neighboring Thar Desert and features several grand halls, pavilions, magnificent pillars and elaborate fireplaces. The palace boasts of dramatic Rajputana exteriors with overhanging balconies beautified with intricate lattice and filigree work. It is surrounded by two courtyards and lush green gardens with the first and the most impressive wing being the Laxmi Niwas, now an independent luxury hotel within the Lallgarh complex. The remaining three wings were built at various stages of construction spanning a period of almost two decades. The west wing contains the Shri Sadul Museum along with the fourth largest private library in the world. A separate wing is used as private residence by the Bikaner Royal Family. The palace also has several lounges, drawing rooms, guest suites and an enormous dining room with a sitting capacity of almost 400 people.

Lalgarh Palace

Lalgarh Palace Images

Lalgarh Palace Pictures

Lalgarh Palace

Lalgarh Palace Inside

Lalgarh Palace Inside

Inside of Lalgarh Palace

Lalgarh Palace Inside Pictures

Lalgarh Palace at Night

Lalgarh Palace at Night

Night View at Lalgarh Palace

In the year 1972, Karni Singh, the Maharaja of Bikaner, established the Ganga Singhji Charitable Trust and endowed a large part of the Lallgarh Palace to be used in the service of the Trust. The property is now owned and managed by his daughter Princess Rajyashree Kumari.