110. GOGUNDA: Raja's Royal Palace now a 5 Star Hotel

Maharana Raj Singh II at Gogunda 1755©ARS Studio

After 7 years work on behalf of the Architect Remo Serafin and his team, the restoration of the Royal Palace of Gogunda is at its final stage and under new management the historical building will become a Five Star Hotel and one of the most exclusive in India.

The following photos show the stages before, during and after restoration by ARS Studio

Dome Palace 1949

There is also some personal satisfaction to see the results of an enterprise where I was involved from the very beginning with the secretarial work, translations and historical research.

Dome Palace 2000

The first time the architect Remo Serafin inspected the Palace on behalf of the HBH Company in New Delhi after a year of negotiations for its purchase, was in the Autumn of 2000 where he found the building reduced to little more than ruins after it had been abandoned by its last sovereign “Raj Rana Shri Bhairo Singh ji Jhala of Gogunda”.

Dome Palace 3D Project 2002

This daunting feature did not put off the architect who immediately set his whole studio to task with determination making archaeological and relative surveys to determine every characteristic of the Palace of Gogunda- home of the reigning Raja and capital of the state of Mewar in the16th century- surrounded by a boundary wall which encloses the main building, the Dome Palace, constructed in 1458 by Maharana Kumbha and various other buildings designated to court functions.

Dome Palace 2001

The constructions denote continuous modifications in its up keep and restoration throughout the years consisting of a mixture of styles ranging from Hindu, Jain, Mewari and Mughal, typical of the Rajput architecture developed during 1450 to 1750 with the addition of further modifications by British Dominance.

Dome Palace 2008

The careful detailed planning of restoration on behalf of the architect Serafin and his studio took place throughout the whole of 2001, which by way of works in progress, other provisional works were effectuated with the complete reconstruction of an eight metre (24 feet) boundary wall by the BB Construction firm in Udaipur with the notable contribution of the Indian engineer Ashok Detha.

Interior British 2002

Interior British: 2008

The project was developed, also due to its immense dimensions, by means of 3D graphics which in 2003 was classified first place in the restoration competition “Case History Technical cup 2003” and published in the book “Metamorphosis-Digital Architecture” edited by Autodesk.

RAJPUT 

On Amazon

“Son of a King!” So the name of “Rajput” signify and the scenario where the adventures of these invincible warriors becomes enacted is “The Land of Kings” as the name of Rajasthan embodies.

A Rajput is set apart from other warriors by his chivalrous code of honor and tradition. Many are the names of valiant Rajputs that have been heralded through the ages from father to son. Many are they who fell, steel in hand so to prevent their Kingdom, Mewar, from being conquered by the invader. Many too are the Rajput women whose presence alongside their warriors shaped the course of destiny, unhesitatingly, choosing death to dishonor.

“Rajput” reads with the ease and pleasure of a work of fiction, yet every detail, inference, and fact has been meticulously researched revealing, as yet, the untold wonder of an amazing past that would otherwise be left smoldering in its own ashes.

RECOMMENDATION:

“The history of Rajasthan is so colorful, vibrant and eventful it needs to be recorded with love and care. Although not a student of history, yet the stories of valor, beauty, intrigue and war excite me. Such history as yours will be a valuable addition to students and researchers.” Neelabh Pandit, Associate Professor, English - Alwar, Rajasthan