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Lashkar Jai Vilas Palace & Museum

¤ Main Attractions

Jai Vilas Palace & Museum
A few kilometres to the south of the Gwalior Fort, is the new town of Lashkar. It was established in 1809, and houses the Jai Vilas Palace. Lashkar was founded by Daulat Rao Scindia and served as a military base. By 1829, Lashkar was already a full-fledged town with wide streets, stone houses and a proper sewage system.

The gleaming white Jai Vilas Palace built by Lt.Col. Sir Michael Filose resembles a quaint Mediterranean resort. The palace was designed to resemble an Italian palazzo and constructed in three years flat (1872-74), to welcome the ‘Prince of Wales’ on his visit here. Although the palace was executed in sandstone, it was painted a brilliant white to simulate marble.

Jai Vilas Museum
Though the present Maharaja still lives in the palace, 35 of its rooms house the Scindia Museum, which displays royal memorabilia.
The Museum boasts of a remarkable collection of artifacts, culled from all over the world. A crystal staircase winds its way up to the spectacular Durbar Hall. The arched ceiling, with stunning gold leaf work, carries two of the world’s largest and most magnificent chandeliers, each weighing over three tons and holding 248 candles. The roof was tested in advance by getting 10 elephants to climb upon it via a two-kilometre ramp.
The chandeliers were gilded with 56 kilograms of gold. Spread out across this very hall is the largest carpet in Asia, made in the Gwalior Jail.

The hall is dotted with all kinds of curios such as Belgian cut glass and crystal furniture – including a rocking chair. Stuffed tiger hides speak of the hunting expeditions of the erstwhile royalty of Gwalior.
You will even find a Rolls Royce on rails and a German bubble car. Elsewhere, is a room of erotica where an explicit life-sized marble statue of Leda having her way with a swan, occupies pride of place. It should be mentioned here that according to Greek mythology, Zeus visited Leda in the form of a swan, and together they begot the famous Helen of Troy.
However, the most enchanting curiosity is the famous model train that circulates brandy, dry fruit and cigars around the table after dinner. The lifting of a container or bottle would automatically reduce pressure on the track and thus stop the silver train.

Timings
Open 0930-1700; closed on Monday.

Moti Mahal
There are other places of interest in Lashkar that can easily be covered within a day. The other prominent monument in the new town is the Moti Mahal, which now houses government offices. What is noteworthy about this palace, are suites with coloured glass and mural paintings of scenes from Hindu mythology.

Royal Chhattris-- (Cenotaphs)
These chhattris are dedicated to the Scindias of Gwalior. The place is locally referred to as the Chhattri Bazaar and is close to the Jayaji Chowk – the main market of Gwalior. The most elegant of the chhattris is dedicated to Jayaji Rao. It is a massive oblong structure of sandstone, carved with mythological figures and crowned by a cupola.

Memorial of Rani of Jhansi
Southeast of the Fort, on the way to the railway station is aMemorial to the Rani of Jhansi, Lakshmi Bai, who fought the British in India’s First War of Independence. A platform marks the spot where her zealous followers cremated her.