Sajjan Garh Palace

Maharana Sajjan Singh, the architect of the Monsoon Palace, was the Mewar dynasty’s 72nd king. After becoming Rana in 1874, he oversaw various civil works projects in Udaipur, like road and dam building, water supply, and other infrastructure upgrades.

Sajjangarh Palace was his most ambitious project, which he began in the last years of his reign, but he died before it could be completed as an astronomical observatory, as he had envisioned. Fateh Singh, his successor, finished it with the intention of creating a grand hunting lodge. In any event, it is one of the greatest structures of the time, with a superb outlook from all sides.

As from upper balconies of the Monsoon Palace, you can see the whole city of Udaipur, including all of its lakes, palaces, and forts, as well as the Mewars’ ancestral home, Chittorgarh.

Perhaps, it was for this reason that Maharana Sajjan Singh picked this location for his own royal observatory. One can also see the whole length of the Fateh Sagar Lake, which was built by Maharana Fateh Singh himself.

The palace is currently held by the Forest Department of the state of Rajasthan and was recently opened to the public.

Structure of Sajjangarh Fort

The white marble palace is located on the Bansdara top of the Aravalli hill range, at an elevation of 944 metres (3100 feet) above mean sea level, overlooking Lake Pichola from the west, roughly 1,100 metres (340 feet) below the palace.

The original architect, Maharana Sajjan Singh, wanted to erect a nine-story structure to serve as an astrological centre and to observe the passage of monsoon clouds in the area surrounding the palace, as well as to provide employment. It was also supposed to be treated as a royal family home.

Tragically, Maharana died at the age of 26 (after only ten years in power between 1874 and 1884), putting his ambitions on hold for the time being.

He had completed it half before his death. It was later finished by his successor, Maharana Fateh Singh. The royal family made use of this palace as a hunting place and to see the monsoon clouds, giving rise to the moniker Monsoon Palace. The white marble mansion has high towers with guards on each.The palace has a large central court with a stairway, as well as apartments and rooms. The castle is supported by marble pillars sculpted with magnificent leaf and floral designs. Lime mortar is used to plaster the walls.

The lit palace, with its Rajasthani architecture of domes, fountains, and jharokas, has a fairytale-like grandeur at night.

Sajjangarh Palace’s Architecture

The Fort’s base is built on marble pillars with unique designs of flowers and leaves engraved all over them. The palace walls are lime mortar plastered. There is a big court in the centre of this palace along with a set of stairs that has multiple rooms and quarters. The Fort is built with lofty turrets with soldiers stationed at each tower.

The domes, fountains, and jharokhas that encircle the palaces are outstanding examples of Rajasthani architecture.

In Popular Culture

Sajjangarh Palace, in addition to being a stunning Mewari-style building and a major tourist spot in Udaipur, has also appeared in one of the 007 franchise’s most known flicks, Octopussy. In this 1983  film by Roger Moore, it serves as the home of the postal villain, and several scenes, including a conflict in the courtyard, were shot on the palace grounds.

Conclusion

Finally, Sajjan Garh Palace aka Monsoon Palace in Udaipur, Rajasthan, is one of the most magnificent structures in this region that exhibit its colourful royal history.

It’s white, has domes at the peak for architectural appeal, and it has a view of the skies that only a few other places in the world can equal. It is strategically positioned at the top of hills, affording a breathtaking view for kilometres around.

There were thoughts of converting it into an astronomical venture, and it is presently governed by the Forest Authorities. It is the property of the indigenous Mewar Royal Dynasty. It is ideal for photography, particularly after sunset.