Prag Mahal

Brief History

The largest of the three palaces within the Darbargadh walled complex, 19th-century Prag Mahal is in a forlorn state, damaged by an earthquake, but is worth visiting for its grand Durbar Hall, with its glittering chandeliers, the Maharajah’s taxidermied collection and gold-skirted classical statues. Several scenes from Lagaan, the much-acclaimed Bollywood cricket blockbuster, were filmed here.

Named after Rao Pragmalji II, who commissioned the construction of Prag Mahal, the palace’s first bricks were laid in 1865. It was designed by Colonel Henry Saint Wilkins in the Italian Gothic style. His team constituted of a number of Italian artisans and their wages were paid in gold coins. It ultimately took 3.1 million rupees to get the work done and the palace stood in its fully glory in 1879. By then the regency has switched Khengarji III (Pragmalji II's son) following Pragmalji II's death in 1875. He employed the local Kutchi builder community under the guidance of Colonel Wilkins in the last phase of construction.