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Wankaner-363621, Dist. Rajkot
Ph.: 91-2828-220000/220001/220003
Fax:91-2828-220002
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The princely state of wankaner was founded
in 1605 AD by Sartanji, a member of the Jhala Rajput clan that came
to Patdi in north western Saurashtra from Sindh in the 12th century
and shifted capital to Halwad in the 15th century.
HH Amar Bane Singh, who introduced wide ranging reforms in Wankaner,
founded the Ranjit Vilas palaces in 1907 AD, half way up a hill and
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precincts of the 1880s Residency. It was inaugurate
by and named for his friend, Jam Sahib Ranjit Singhji of Nawanagar.
Infact, Wankaner is one of the few princely capitals where most of
the properties were named for rules of different princely states.
The Experience: The palace is a stupendous work of Venetian-Gothic
architecture in an orietalising vein, with aeches, balconies, marble
biradaris and pillared porticoes. The interiors are equally delightful
in their profusion of Italian marble, stained glass windows, Europian
chandelies, French crystal, Belgian glass, Burma teak furniture, Persian
rugs, custom woven Mirzapur carpets, magnificent drawing room and
spiral staircases.
Accommodations are in the 19th century Residency which once housed
the British resident of Wankaner and the early - 20th century Royal
Oasis, the former European guest house. The properties are owned and
family run by the son and: grandson of HH Amar Sinh. |
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The Palace Museum:
The Ranjit Vilas Palace has a memorable collection of swords, shields
and daggers, 95 species of stuffed animals, duelling pistols, pigsticking
spears, silver, linen chests, silver plated howdahs, thrones, paintings
and portraits.
The palace has magnificent spiralling marble staircase, stained glass
galleries, chandeliers and period furniture.
Outside, you can see the garages with vintage cars like the 1921 Rolls
royce silver ghost. some imposing American cars and horse drawn carriages.
There are large grounds with beautiful Italianette fountains.
Step Well: In the Royal Oasis complex,
the 3 storeyed stepwell has 2 underground floors with cool subterranean
marble rooms, fine sculpture and a fountain.
Royal
Veedi: Rolling grasslands with blue bull, porcupine and birdlife.
Town: Wankaner town is known for
it's Brick markers, potteries, town gates, bazaars, old palace, Playhouse
cinema, memorial of Sartanji and his sati wife, town gates and numerous
royal Initiatives. |
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Rooms with period furnishings including
art deco furniture, fixtures and artifacts. |
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Indian and western food, set menu. |
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Morbi
(27 kms): Picturesque princely town, with fine palaces, gateway
and cottage industries like pottery, brickmaking, clockmaking, ceramic
etc.
Halwad (appx 75 kms): The
medieval seat of power of the Jhala Rajput clan, Halwad has a lakeshore
place and royal cenotaphs(chattries) with fine wood carvings and stone
sculpture.
Little Run of Kutch (90 kms):
Wild ass sanctury, known for it's desert wildlife, Enkal has a desert
lodge.
Rajkot (appx 50 kms): Princely
city, Watson museum, M Gandhi's Kirti Mandir, silver handcrafts and
many colonial period architectural building. Thw Watson museum has
a splendid collection of archaelogical finds.
Tarnetar
(appx 45 kms): Histrodic temple, site for a colourful bethoral
fair (Aug/Sup) which is among the best in Saurashtra. MALIYA MIYANA:
Beautiful creek with thousands of wading birds and eagales at entrance
to Kutch. |
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12 Double Bedrooms, baths attached, some with original furniture from
1930s and '40s art deco style and art deco marble bathrooms to match.
33 acres of reverside fruit orchad around the Royal Oasis. Beautiful
art deco period swimming pool. Cultural entertainment. Meals with
royal family in the palace. Tennis, golf, game preserve and wind sailing
in Rann of Kutch proposed. |
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Wankaner railway station is
connected by trains to bombay. The palace is a 1 hour distance from
Rajkot airport and a popular stopover midway of Ahmedabad & Bhuj-Kutch. |
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Wankaner-363621, Dist. Rajkot
Ph.: 91-2828-220000/220001/220003
E-mail: royaloasis@heritagehotelsofgujarat.com |
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