No Putting It Past Indore

In Madhya Pradesh’s Largest City, Lesser-known Architectural Gems Lie Amidst Bustling Lanes of Delicious Food.

- Sarvesh Talreja

Indore’s biggest draw is its street food. Countless travellers have roamed Sarafa Bazaar and Chappan Dukaan, searching for spicy and steaming carbohydrates. However, the city’s gastronomic gifts sometimes overshadow other things Indore has to offer, like its eclectic architecture. Indore’s most regal buildings come from its history as a trading post and erstwhile princely state under the Holkars. When feasting on kachoris, pakodas, and dahi vadas in the city’s streets, don’t miss out on visiting these architectural icons.

LALBAGH PALACE

Nestled in expansive lawns, which once had one of the largest rose gardens in the country, the Lalbagh Palace was completed under the reign of Tukoji Rao Holkar III in 1921 after a construction period of 35 years. Once the site of important meetings and gatherings hosted by the Holkars, it now houses a museum. While there is need for maintenance, the stately three-storey structure is still impressive; its European inspired design is a testament to the architectural sensibility of the era. Thick pillars of Italian marble divide the rooms. In the dining room, a mural of Greek deities dominates the ceiling and a billiards table with thick yet skillfully carved wooden legs, sits in the room next door. Fierce taxidermy tigers inside dusty glass boxes stand in a large hall, once the venue of grand dance parties.