A Jaipur Sensibility - Princess Diya Kumari's Family Home At Mount Abu Gets A New Life

Built as a summer residence in the mid-1800s, this three-part family property called jaipur house, was almost in ruins. Today, artist and interior designer shan bhatnagar has restored select segments, infusing colours inspired by the four seasons, as a tribute to the colourful personality of Maharaja Ram Singh ii, who commissioned it

- Sangeeta Wadhwani

What does Jaipur House mean to the family? Was it a summer residence? Any warm childhood or coming of age memories of staying here?

“Our family has had ‘Jaipur House’ in Mt Abu since the time of my great-great-grandfather, Maharaja Sawai Ram Singh II, who selected a spot on a high cliff overlooking the local Nakki Lake and commanding a grand view of the surrounding hills and plains for building his new house. This was when the British ‘Agent to the Governor-General for Rajputana States’ (AGG for short), made Mt Abu the AGG’s administrative summer capital in the mid 19th century. Thereafter, various Rajputana ruling houses built summer homes in Mt Abu. Therefore for us, it was not just a summer holiday residence.

“It originated as the 19th century palatial house of the Maharaja of Jaipur, built in the architectural style of a palace of that period. Maharaja Sawai Ram Singh II also built hospitals, schools, libraries etc across his kingdom of Dhoondhar – the older name for the State of Jaipur. (It was about the size of Switzerland). He also introduced piped water and gas lights in his capital city of Jaipur.

“After Maharaja Sawai Ram Singh II, my great-grandfather Maharaja Madho Singh II, added to the building. Thus, the family connection with the Abu Jaipur House has been strong over the generations. Our other Jaipur House was in Delhi, as you probably know, and that is now open to everyone to visit, because it has become India’s National Gallery of Modern Art.