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A peek inside Jyotiraditya Scindia's magnificent Jai Vilas palace

  • The Jai Vilas Mahal, is a 19 -century palace in India. It was established by Jayajirao Scindia, the Maharaja of Gwalior. The palace has 400 rooms from which exclusively 40 rooms are transformed into Jiwaji Rao Scindia Museum.
    1/22

    The Jai Vilas Palace

    The Jai Vilas Mahal, is a 19 -century palace in India. It was established by Jayajirao Scindia, the Maharaja of Gwalior. The palace has 400 rooms from which exclusively 40 rooms are transformed into Jiwaji Rao Scindia Museum.
    rajesh bhand via Getty Images
  • While the major part of the palace is now the "Jiwajirao Scindia Museum" opened to the public in 1964, a part of it is still the residence of his descendants the former royal Maratha Scindia dynasty.
    2/22

    A normal scene of the Jai Vilas Palace, established in 1874...

    While the major part of the palace is now the "Jiwajirao Scindia Museum" opened to the public in 1964, a part of it is still the residence of his descendants the former royal Maratha Scindia dynasty.
    Atid Kiattisaksiri via Getty Images
  • The Durbar Hall inside the Jai Vilas Palace. The Jai Vilas Mahal was established in 1874 by Jayajirao Scindia, the Maharaja of Gwalior. (Photo by Atid Kiattisaksiri/LightRocket via Getty Images)
    3/22

    The Durbar Hall inside the Jai Vilas Palace

    The Durbar Hall inside the Jai Vilas Palace. The Jai Vilas Mahal was established in 1874 by Jayajirao Scindia, the Maharaja of Gwalior. (Photo by Atid Kiattisaksiri/LightRocket via Getty Images)
    Atid Kiattisaksiri via Getty Images
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  • A parlour of the Jai Vilas Palace. The Jai Vilas Mahal was established in 1874 by Jayajirao Scindia, the Maharaja of Gwalior. (Photo by Atid Kiattisaksiri/LightRocket via Getty Images)
    4/22

    A parlour of the Jai Vilas Palace

    A parlour of the Jai Vilas Palace. The Jai Vilas Mahal was established in 1874 by Jayajirao Scindia, the Maharaja of Gwalior. (Photo by Atid Kiattisaksiri/LightRocket via Getty Images)
    Atid Kiattisaksiri via Getty Images
  • The Durbar Hall inside the Jai Vilas Palace. The Jai Vilas Mahal was established in 1874 by Jayajirao Scindia, the Maharaja of Gwalior. (Photo by Atid Kiattisaksiri/LightRocket via Getty Images)
    5/22

    The Durbar Hall inside the Jai Vilas Palace

    The Durbar Hall inside the Jai Vilas Palace. The Jai Vilas Mahal was established in 1874 by Jayajirao Scindia, the Maharaja of Gwalior. (Photo by Atid Kiattisaksiri/LightRocket via Getty Images)
    Atid Kiattisaksiri via Getty Images
  • The grand dining room inside the Jai Vilas Palace. The Jai Vilas Mahal was established in 1874 by Jayajirao Scindia, the Maharaja of Gwalior. (Photo by Atid Kiattisaksiri/LightRocket via Getty Images)
    6/22

    The grand dining room inside the Jai Vilas Palace

    The grand dining room inside the Jai Vilas Palace. The Jai Vilas Mahal was established in 1874 by Jayajirao Scindia, the Maharaja of Gwalior. (Photo by Atid Kiattisaksiri/LightRocket via Getty Images)
    Atid Kiattisaksiri via Getty Images
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  • The drawing room of Jai Vilas Palace. The Jai Vilas Mahal was established in 1874 by Jayajirao Scindia, the Maharaja of Gwalior. (Photo by Atid Kiattisaksiri/LightRocket via Getty Images)
    7/22

    The drawing room of Jai Vilas Palace

    The drawing room of Jai Vilas Palace. The Jai Vilas Mahal was established in 1874 by Jayajirao Scindia, the Maharaja of Gwalior. (Photo by Atid Kiattisaksiri/LightRocket via Getty Images)
    Atid Kiattisaksiri via Getty Images
  • A scene of the music room of Jai Vilas Palace. The Jai Vilas Mahal was established in 1874 by Jayajirao Scindia, the Maharaja of Gwalior. (Photo by Atid Kiattisaksiri/LightRocket via Getty Images)
    8/22

    A scene of the music room of Jai Vilas Palace

    A scene of the music room of Jai Vilas Palace. The Jai Vilas Mahal was established in 1874 by Jayajirao Scindia, the Maharaja of Gwalior. (Photo by Atid Kiattisaksiri/LightRocket via Getty Images)
    Atid Kiattisaksiri via Getty Images
  • A weapons room inside the Jai Vilas Palace. The Jai Vilas Mahal was established in 1874 by Jayajirao Scindia, the Maharaja of Gwalior. (Photo by Atid Kiattisaksiri/LightRocket via Getty Images)
    9/22

    A weapons room inside the Jai Vilas Palace

    A weapons room inside the Jai Vilas Palace. The Jai Vilas Mahal was established in 1874 by Jayajirao Scindia, the Maharaja of Gwalior. (Photo by Atid Kiattisaksiri/LightRocket via Getty Images)
    Atid Kiattisaksiri via Getty Images
  • Stay in the know at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

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  • A bedroom inside the Jai Vilas Palace. The Jai Vilas Mahal was established in 1874 by Jayajirao Scindia, the Maharaja of Gwalior. (Photo by Atid Kiattisaksiri/LightRocket via Getty Images)
    10/22

    A bedroom inside the Jai Vilas Palace

    A bedroom inside the Jai Vilas Palace. The Jai Vilas Mahal was established in 1874 by Jayajirao Scindia, the Maharaja of Gwalior. (Photo by Atid Kiattisaksiri/LightRocket via Getty Images)
    Atid Kiattisaksiri via Getty Images
  • A playroom inside the Jai Vilas Palace. The Jai Vilas Mahal was established in 1874 by Jayajirao Scindia, the Maharaja of Gwalior. (Photo by Atid Kiattisaksiri/LightRocket via Getty Images)
    11/22

    A playroom inside the Jai Vilas Palace

    A playroom inside the Jai Vilas Palace. The Jai Vilas Mahal was established in 1874 by Jayajirao Scindia, the Maharaja of Gwalior. (Photo by Atid Kiattisaksiri/LightRocket via Getty Images)
    Atid Kiattisaksiri via Getty Images
  • A tourist sightseeing the dining room in the Jai Vilas Palace. The Jai Vilas Mahal was established in 1874 by Jayajirao Scindia, the Maharaja of Gwalior. (Photo by Atid Kiattisaksiri/LightRocket via Getty Images)
    12/22

    A tourist at the dining room in the Mahal

    A tourist sightseeing the dining room in the Jai Vilas Palace. The Jai Vilas Mahal was established in 1874 by Jayajirao Scindia, the Maharaja of Gwalior. (Photo by Atid Kiattisaksiri/LightRocket via Getty Images)
    Atid Kiattisaksiri via Getty Images
  • Stay in the know at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

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  • A tearoom inside the Jai Vilas Palace. The Jai Vilas Mahal was established in 1874 by Jayajirao Scindia, the Maharaja of Gwalior. (Photo by Atid Kiattisaksiri/LightRocket via Getty Images)
    13/22

    A tearoom inside the Jai Vilas Palace

    A tearoom inside the Jai Vilas Palace. The Jai Vilas Mahal was established in 1874 by Jayajirao Scindia, the Maharaja of Gwalior. (Photo by Atid Kiattisaksiri/LightRocket via Getty Images)
    Atid Kiattisaksiri via Getty Images
  • It is a fine example of European architecture, designed and built by Sir Michael Filose. A combination of architectural styles, the first storey is Tuscan, the second Italian-Doric and the third Corinthian.
    14/22

    A normal scene of the Jai Vilas Palace

    It is a fine example of European architecture, designed and built by Sir Michael Filose. A combination of architectural styles, the first storey is Tuscan, the second Italian-Doric and the third Corinthian.
    Atid Kiattisaksiri via Getty Images
  • The area of the Jai Vilas palace is 1,240,771 square feet and it is particularly famous for its large Durbar Hall. The interior of the Durbar Hall is decorated with gilt and gold furnishings and adorned with a huge carpet and gigantic chandeliers. It is 100 feet long, 50 feet wide and 41 feet in height.
    15/22

    A tourist sightseeing in the Jai Vilas Palace

    The area of the Jai Vilas palace is 1,240,771 square feet and it is particularly famous for its large Durbar Hall. The interior of the Durbar Hall is decorated with gilt and gold furnishings and adorned with a huge carpet and gigantic chandeliers. It is 100 feet long, 50 feet wide and 41 feet in height.
    Atid Kiattisaksiri via Getty Images
  • Stay in the know at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

    Yahoo News is better in the app

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  • A large room preserves the desk and photographs of Madhavrao Scindia, who served as the Railway Minister of India.
    16/22

    A bureau of Maharaja of Gwalior inside the Jai Vilas Palace

    A large room preserves the desk and photographs of Madhavrao Scindia, who served as the Railway Minister of India.
    Atid Kiattisaksiri via Getty Images
  • Many of the rooms, including drawing rooms, bed rooms and bath rooms, have been preserved just as they were lavishly decorated for the royal family. The royal kitchen, with its furnaces, pots, china etc have been preserved.
    17/22

    A woman cleaning the driveway to the Jai Vilas Palace

    Many of the rooms, including drawing rooms, bed rooms and bath rooms, have been preserved just as they were lavishly decorated for the royal family. The royal kitchen, with its furnaces, pots, china etc have been preserved.
    Atid Kiattisaksiri via Getty Images
  • Supposedly, eight elephants were suspended from the durbar (royal court) hall ceiling to check it could cope with two 12.5m-high, 3.5-tonne chandeliers with 250 light bulbs, said to be the largest pair in the world.
    18/22

    The Jai Vilas Palace

    Supposedly, eight elephants were suspended from the durbar (royal court) hall ceiling to check it could cope with two 12.5m-high, 3.5-tonne chandeliers with 250 light bulbs, said to be the largest pair in the world.
    Atid Kiattisaksiri via Getty Images
  • Stay in the know at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

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  • Unusual items fill many rooms: cut-glass furniture, stuffed tigers and a ladies-only swimming pool with its own boat.
    19/22

    The Jai Vilas Palace

    Unusual items fill many rooms: cut-glass furniture, stuffed tigers and a ladies-only swimming pool with its own boat.
    Atid Kiattisaksiri via Getty Images
  • The cavernous dining room displays the pièce de résistance, a model silver train that carried after-dinner brandy and cigars around the table.
    20/22

    The Jai Vilas Palace

    The cavernous dining room displays the pièce de résistance, a model silver train that carried after-dinner brandy and cigars around the table.
    Atid Kiattisaksiri via Getty Images
  • Scenes from the British Raj taken during the visit of Prince of Wales (later George V) to the Maharajah of Gwalior in 1906. The Jaibilas (Jai Vilas) Palace now houses the Scindia Museum. (Photo by Michael Nicholson/Corbis via Getty Images)
    21/22

    Durbar Hall at the Jai Vilas Mahal

    Scenes from the British Raj taken during the visit of Prince of Wales (later George V) to the Maharajah of Gwalior in 1906. The Jaibilas (Jai Vilas) Palace now houses the Scindia Museum. (Photo by Michael Nicholson/Corbis via Getty Images)
    Michael Nicholson via Getty Images
  • Stay in the know at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

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  • Jai Vilas Palace in Gwalior, Madyha Pradesh, India
    22/22

    Jai Vilas Mahal

    Jai Vilas Palace in Gwalior, Madyha Pradesh, India
    saiko3p via Getty Images
The Jai Vilas Mahal, is a 19 -century palace in India. It was established by Jayajirao Scindia, the Maharaja of Gwalior. The palace has 400 rooms from which exclusively 40 rooms are transformed into Jiwaji Rao Scindia Museum.
While the major part of the palace is now the "Jiwajirao Scindia Museum" opened to the public in 1964, a part of it is still the residence of his descendants the former royal Maratha Scindia dynasty.
The Durbar Hall inside the Jai Vilas Palace. The Jai Vilas Mahal was established in 1874 by Jayajirao Scindia, the Maharaja of Gwalior. (Photo by Atid Kiattisaksiri/LightRocket via Getty Images)
A parlour of the Jai Vilas Palace. The Jai Vilas Mahal was established in 1874 by Jayajirao Scindia, the Maharaja of Gwalior. (Photo by Atid Kiattisaksiri/LightRocket via Getty Images)
The Durbar Hall inside the Jai Vilas Palace. The Jai Vilas Mahal was established in 1874 by Jayajirao Scindia, the Maharaja of Gwalior. (Photo by Atid Kiattisaksiri/LightRocket via Getty Images)
The grand dining room inside the Jai Vilas Palace. The Jai Vilas Mahal was established in 1874 by Jayajirao Scindia, the Maharaja of Gwalior. (Photo by Atid Kiattisaksiri/LightRocket via Getty Images)
The drawing room of Jai Vilas Palace. The Jai Vilas Mahal was established in 1874 by Jayajirao Scindia, the Maharaja of Gwalior. (Photo by Atid Kiattisaksiri/LightRocket via Getty Images)
A scene of the music room of Jai Vilas Palace. The Jai Vilas Mahal was established in 1874 by Jayajirao Scindia, the Maharaja of Gwalior. (Photo by Atid Kiattisaksiri/LightRocket via Getty Images)
A weapons room inside the Jai Vilas Palace. The Jai Vilas Mahal was established in 1874 by Jayajirao Scindia, the Maharaja of Gwalior. (Photo by Atid Kiattisaksiri/LightRocket via Getty Images)
A bedroom inside the Jai Vilas Palace. The Jai Vilas Mahal was established in 1874 by Jayajirao Scindia, the Maharaja of Gwalior. (Photo by Atid Kiattisaksiri/LightRocket via Getty Images)
A playroom inside the Jai Vilas Palace. The Jai Vilas Mahal was established in 1874 by Jayajirao Scindia, the Maharaja of Gwalior. (Photo by Atid Kiattisaksiri/LightRocket via Getty Images)
A tourist sightseeing the dining room in the Jai Vilas Palace. The Jai Vilas Mahal was established in 1874 by Jayajirao Scindia, the Maharaja of Gwalior. (Photo by Atid Kiattisaksiri/LightRocket via Getty Images)
A tearoom inside the Jai Vilas Palace. The Jai Vilas Mahal was established in 1874 by Jayajirao Scindia, the Maharaja of Gwalior. (Photo by Atid Kiattisaksiri/LightRocket via Getty Images)
It is a fine example of European architecture, designed and built by Sir Michael Filose. A combination of architectural styles, the first storey is Tuscan, the second Italian-Doric and the third Corinthian.
The area of the Jai Vilas palace is 1,240,771 square feet and it is particularly famous for its large Durbar Hall. The interior of the Durbar Hall is decorated with gilt and gold furnishings and adorned with a huge carpet and gigantic chandeliers. It is 100 feet long, 50 feet wide and 41 feet in height.
A large room preserves the desk and photographs of Madhavrao Scindia, who served as the Railway Minister of India.
Many of the rooms, including drawing rooms, bed rooms and bath rooms, have been preserved just as they were lavishly decorated for the royal family. The royal kitchen, with its furnaces, pots, china etc have been preserved.
Supposedly, eight elephants were suspended from the durbar (royal court) hall ceiling to check it could cope with two 12.5m-high, 3.5-tonne chandeliers with 250 light bulbs, said to be the largest pair in the world.
Unusual items fill many rooms: cut-glass furniture, stuffed tigers and a ladies-only swimming pool with its own boat.
The cavernous dining room displays the pièce de résistance, a model silver train that carried after-dinner brandy and cigars around the table.
Scenes from the British Raj taken during the visit of Prince of Wales (later George V) to the Maharajah of Gwalior in 1906. The Jaibilas (Jai Vilas) Palace now houses the Scindia Museum. (Photo by Michael Nicholson/Corbis via Getty Images)
Jai Vilas Palace in Gwalior, Madyha Pradesh, India
Srishti P

Jyotiraditya Madhavrao Scindia is an Indian politician from the Scindia family that once ruled in Gwalior.

Scindia is the grandson of Jivajirao Scindia, the last Maharaja of the princely state of Gwalior, and the son of the late Madhavrao Scindia, the last titular Maharaja of Gwalior and also a former Union minister.

Born into the erstwhile Gwalior princely dynasty, Scindia now owns property worth over Rs 200 crore ($27 million), including a palace that he received as part of his inheritance, the Jai Vilas Palace.

Here’s a sneak peek into the royal interiors of Scindia’s princely inheritance.