Lal Baag Palace

Lal Baag (Bagh) Palace is located in the city of Indore, Madhya Pradesh. One of the best neoclassical palaces in India, it is a three-storied structure built between 1886 and 1921.

Situated on the bank of River Khan towards the south-west of the city, it is now the office of Indore’s Commissioner of Customs and Central Excise.

Designed by Triggs of Calcutta, its construction was started in 1886 by Tukoji Rao Holkar II and was completed by Tukoji Rao III in1921. The whole palace complex which has a total area of 28 acres is surrounded by a vast garden and at one time had one of the best rose garden of the country.

Lal Baag Palace is one of the imposing monuments of the Dynasty of the Holkars. The structural design of the palace is a combination of the baroque and renaissance styles, which consists of Italian marble columns, Belgium stained glass windows, Persian carpets, flying nymphs on the ceiling, Greek mythological reliefs, stuffed leopards and tigers, grand chandeliers and a wooden ballroom floor mounted on springs. The major attraction here is a pool located in the middle of the palace with a statue of a mermaid. The rooms of the palace have been beautifully restored, furnished and ornamented as in early Georgian style and the walls and ceilings are decorated with beautiful carvings. The kitchen was built on the opposite bank of the river and it is connected to the palace by a well lighted underground channel. The magnificent entrance gates is similar to the gates of Buckingham Palace (London) but they are about twice their size. These gates bearing the Holkar state emblem which states 'He who tries will succeed' were molded in cast iron and were shipped from England.

Now, a part of the palace has been converted into a museum, which exhibits artifacts, paintings and other signature items of the Holkar era. The entrance hall on the ground floor is decorated with marble and gilt and it displays prehistoric artifacts. The 1st floor has a collection of coins which dates back to the Muslim period. Other exhibits in the gallery includes Indian and Italian paintings, sculptures, intricately inlaid boxes etc. The palace is the venue for conducting important functions and celebrations.

The palace is now managed and developed by the Government of Madhya Pradesh as a cultural centre.

It is open for public on all days except Mondays, from 10 am to 6 pm.
Entrance Fee : Rs 5 for nationals and Rs 100 for foreigners.