THE BILLIARDS ROOM

The billiards room was a place where the Maharaja could relax with friends, and visitors and informal entertainment for visiting dignitaries. Situated next to the dining hall, the visitors could retire here after dinner to play billiards, have light conversation and relax. Billiards was the favourite game of Maharaja Madhav Rao I (1876-1925) to whom these tables belonged. It originated in England and was particularly popular there and in many British colonies in the late 19th and 20th Centuries. A cue sport played by two players or teams, it uses two cue balls, and red object balls are scored for cannons and pocketing the balls.
The room is centred around the two large billiards tables. Surrounding these are several sofas, armchairs, and other comfortable chairs. The simple, practical designs of the furniture and the many family photographs which have been included here make the room feel very much like personal space. It is created for a very casual and comfortable environment for the guests quite different from the formal dining halls and darbar hall nearby.