Royal Oasis & The Residency
THE PALACE, WANKANER,
Dist. RAJKOT
BOOKINGS Ranjit Vilas Palace
Ph. 02828-20000 Fax: 02828-20002
Status : Operational-12 rooms, family run.

HERITAGE :The princely state of Wankaner was founded in 1605 AD by Sartanji, a member of the Jhala Rajput clan that came to Patdi in north western Saurashtra from Sindh in the 12th century and shifted capital to Halwad in the 15th century. HH Amar Bane Singh, who introduced wide ranging reforms in Wankaner, founded the Ranjit Vilas palace in 1907 AD, half way up a hill and in the precints of the 1880s Residency. It was inaugrated by and named for his friend, Jam Sahib Ranjit Singhji of Nawanagar. Infact, Wankaner is one of the few princely capitals where most of the properties were named for rulers of different princely states.

EXPERIENCE: The palace is a stupendous work of Venetian-Gothic architecture in an orietalising vein, with arches, balconies, marble biradaris and pillared porticoes. The interiors are equally delightful in their profusion of Italian marble, stained glass windows, European chandeliers, French crystal, Belgian glass, Burma teak furniture, Persian rugs, custom woven Mirzapur carpets, magnificent drawing room and spiral staircases. Accommodations are in the 19th century Residency which once housed the British resident of Wankaner and the early - 20th century Royal Oasis, the former European guest house. The properties are owned and family run by the son and grandson of HH Amar Sinh.

FACILITIES: *12 double bedrooms, baths attached, some with original furniture from the 1930s and ‘40s art deco style and art deco marble bathrooms to match. *33 acres of riverside fruit orchard around the Royal Oasis. *Beautiful art deco period swimming pool.*Cultural entertainment. *Meals with royal family in the palace. *Tennis, golf, game preserve and wind sailing in Rann of Kutch proposed.

SIGHTSEEEING:*THE PALACE MUSEUM:The Ranjit Vilas Palace has a memorable collection of swords, shields and daggers, 95 species of stuffed animals, duelling pistols, pigsticking spears, silver, linen chests, silver plated howdahs, thrones, paintings and portraits. The palace has magnificent spiralling marble staircase, stained glass galleries, chandeliers and period furniture. Outside, you can see the garages with vintage cars like the 1921 Rolls royce silver ghost, some imposing American cars and horse drawn carriages. The palace has a stable of Kathiawadi horses.There are large grounds with beautiful Italianette fountains.

*STEP WELL: In the royal oasis complex, the 3 storeyed stepwell, has 2 underground floors with cool subterranean marble rooms, fine sculpture and a fountain.

*ROYAL VEEDI : Rolling grasslands with blue bull, porcupine and birdlife.

*TOWN: Wankaner town is known for it’s Brick makers, potteries, town gates, bazaars, old palace, Playhouse cinema, memorial of Sartanji and his sati wife, town gates and numerous royal initiatives.

EXCURSIONS : *MORBI(27 kms) : Picturesque princely town, with fine palaces, gateways and cottage industries like pottery, brickmaking, clockmaking, ceramics etc.

*HALWAD (appx 75kms) : The medieval seat of power of the Jhala Rajput clan, Halwad has a lakeshore palace and royal cenotaphs(chattries) with fine wood carvings and stone sculpture.

*LITTLE RANN OF KUTCH (90 kms) : Wild ass sanctuary, known for it’s desert wildlife. Enjal has a desert lodge.

*RAJKOT(appx S0kms): Princely city, Watson museum, M Gandhi’s Kirti Mandir, silver handicrafts and many colonial period architectural buildings. The Watson museum has a splendid collection of archaelogical finds.

* TARNETAR (appx 45 kms) : Historic temple, site for a colourful bethoral fair (Aug/Sept) which is among the best in Saurashtra.

*MALIYA MIYANA: Beautiful creek with thousands of wading birds and eagles at entrance to Kutch.

ACCESS :Wankaner railway station is connected by trains to Bombay. The palace is a 1 hour distance from Rajkot airport and a popular stopover midway of Ahmedabad & Bhuj-Kutch.