Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
unusual 1907 "car" (called “New Engine”) was made in the United Kingdom, and re-
sembled a railroad or trolley car. It could run on train tracks as well the street. Did you
ever?
The Maharajah drives all 40 cars. His only problem getting parts, and tires. I should think
so! Even the front grilles were unique and gorgeous. Amazing... Amazing...
The Maharajah's Private Railway Carriage
A short walk from the Maharajah outstanding Classic Car collection to train tracks that are
no longer used. Duh... Naturally, he had his own private rail carriage that ran on different
gauge tracks. The Maharajah of Gondal's private car had a kitchen, two bathrooms, sep-
arate dining area, sitting/living room and bedroom.
All
Maharajah's (just another word for
"Prince") had their own railway carriages, with tracks on their Palace grounds. Mingling
with commoners would have been
so
unseemly.
If you were a Prince in India, would there be a better way to flaunt wealth other than:
having Classic Car Collections, as many palaces as possible, gazillion retainers, jewels, and
your own Royal train carriage? It appears not since:
The Maharaja Vadodara gave his son a toy train, and installed a
royalthrone
in his person-
al coach;
The Nizam of Hyderabad's private railway car was covered with strips of ivory, and had
solid
gold hardware
;
The Maharaja of Gwalior had a
silver model train
on his banqueting table to circulate li-
queurs and cigars to his royal guests; and
Maharaja Singh of Jodhpur had his own
railway
. His palace was probably the first railway
station in India!
What, can I say about all this excess...
Visiting The Naulakha Palace
Two Gondal Palaces down and two to go. The Orchard Palace Hotel where we were stay-
ing, check. The Maharajah's private wing - seen from the outside. A drive past the River-
side Palace Heritage Hotel built in 1874 with no need to enter. That left the oldest palace
in Gondal, the Naulakha Palace dating back to the seventeenth century. The Maharajah of
Gondal once
had
four palaces. I said, “Had,” because the Naulakha Palace was handed
over to the Trust in 1947 (under duress), when India became independent.
All
Maharajahs
in India were allowed to keep just a few palaces, and acreage, but the "poor guys" lost all
taxing power over their subjects.
Gasp!! No surprise that he
didn't
want to relinquish this palace, stunning outside and
inside. Exquisite
jharokhas
(balconies), unique spiral staircases, a pillared courtyard, delic-
ately carved arches, lion and animal carvings on the supports. This, was just one building.
Naulakha Palace had an entire other building just for the women!
