Lalgarh Palace Bikaner
Built
in the memory of maharaja Lal Singh, Lalgarh Palace has a graceful facade of red
sandstone, and is one of Maharaja Ganga Singh’s great achievements. The maharaja
ruled for a period of 56 years. The state especially prospered under his rule.
In the fort museum which is housed in the red sandstone Ganga Niwas, built during
the reign of Maharaja Sir Ganga Singh, here can be seen a unique collection of
miniature paintings, manuscripts, weaponry and even a world war I bi-plane.
Designed
by a Britisher for Maharaja Ganga Singh, lalgarh palace displays a magnificent
blend of Oriental and European style. The terraced lawns and the Bougainvillea
bushes add beauty to the palace. Peacocks stroll around Lalgarh Palace, which
has been partly converted into a hotel.
The intricate filigree work and
latticework exhibit the refinements and delicacy of craftsmanship. Lallgarh palace
museum displays well-preserved hunting trophies and old photographs. The library
of the Lalgarh palace is supposed to have the largest collection of original Sanskrit
manuscripts on parchments, copper and gold or silver plaques. The Lalgarh palace
has now been converted into a beautiful hotel. The large and airy rooms point
towards a pervasive British influence, even though the Welcome group took over
it's management in 1993 and made numerous renovations. The shri Sadul museum forms
a part of the palace, and houses vast collections of books, photographs, manuscripts
and albums that span several generations.
