The Fall And Rise Of A Modern Maharaja | 01.2016 | for Smithsonian Magazine
‘Born to a palace but stripped of his livelihood in the 1970s, Gaj Singh II created a new life dedicated to preserving royal Rajasthan’
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HH Gaj Sing II at Umaid Bhawan, the residential palace built by his grandfather.
Gilt furniture decorates the lobby of the 347 room palace.
Umaid Bhawan’s billiards room.
Shivranjani Rajye, princess of Jodhpur, with her terriers in the private residence wing of the Umaid Bhawan
The 12th-century fort complex in the ancient city of Nagaur, Ahhichatragarh, now contains a hotel: the Ranvas.
The hotel features rooms in the residence of 18th century ranis, or queens.
The city of Jodhpur spills out below Mehrangarh Fort, once the residence of the royal family, now a museum.
Moti Mahal, or the Palace of Pearls at the 15th century Mehrangarh Fort turned museum.
Visitors view the museum's collection of arms.
Staff at the museum conduct tours in traditional dress.
Fruit bats cavort at dusk over the Bal Samand Lake Palace five miles north of Jodhpur, originally built as a summer house for the maharajas, now a hotel.