15/07/2026
Just a few days ago we visited Mysuru Palace also known as Amba Vilas Palace is the historical seat of the Wadiyar dynasty and one of India's most visited monuments, second only to the Taj Mahal. Located at the heart of Mysuru. It is a spectacular example of Indo-Saracenic architecture—a structural blend of Hindu, Mughal, Rajput, and Gothic design styles.
A Palace Reborn From Ashes
The grand stone structure standing today is actually the fourth palace to be built on the same site. The grounds have been the home of the Wadiyar royal family for centuries, but the building itself has a turbulent history of destruction and rebirth.
The First Palace
14th Century
The Wadiyar kings built the original palace inside the Old Fort. It was primarily made of wood and underwent multiple demolitions and reconstructions by various rulers over the next few centuries.
The Great Fire
1897
Tragedy struck during the wedding ceremony of Princess Jayalakshammani when the wooden palace caught fire and burned completely to the ground.
Commissioning a Masterpiece
1897
Immediately after the fire, the young monarch Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV and his mother commissioned British architect Lord Henry Irwin to design a fireproof, sprawling replacement.
Completion of Amba Vilas
1912
The current three-story stone palace was completed after 15 years of construction. It was built using fine gray granite with deep pink marble domes, costing roughly 4.1 million rupees at the time.
