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.
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Gilt furniture decorates the lobby of the 347 room palace.
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Umaid Bhawan’s billiards room.
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Shivranjani Rajye, princess of Jodhpur, with her terriers in the private residence wing of the Umaid Bhawan
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The 12th-century fort complex in the ancient city of Nagaur, Ahhichatragarh, now contains a hotel: the Ranvas.
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The hotel features rooms in the residence of 18th century ranis, or queens.
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The city of Jodhpur spills out below Mehrangarh Fort, once the residence of the royal family, now a museum.
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Moti Mahal, or the Palace of Pearls at the 15th century Mehrangarh Fort turned museum.
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Visitors view the museum's collection of arms.
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Staff at the museum conduct tours in traditional dress.
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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.