Naulakha Palace
Gondal, Gujarat
The oldest surviving palace in Gondal, dating to 1748 and the reign of Haloji Sagramji, inside the Darbargadh fort complex. The name means nine lakh — what it cost to build. Carved jharokha balconies, a pillared courtyard, delicately cut arches and a spiral staircase that is the thing most people photograph. The durbar hall is lit by chandeliers and still holds gilt wooden furniture, antique mirrors and stuffed panthers, which age badly as a display. The private museum keeps the silver caskets sent to Maharaja Bhagwat Sinhji for his silver jubilee.
