THE DARBAR HALL

The Darbar Hall was the place where the Maharaja and his court met to hold a formal meeting. It was commissioned by Maharaja Jayaji Rao Scindia (1835-1886) during the construction of the palace. The hall is heavily influenced by the Neoclassical, Baroque and Rococo style of interiors and furniture. The ceiling is decorated with an intricate gold patina work with over 560 kilograms of gold. The handwoven carpet, 90 feet by 48 feet in length, was woven by inmates of Gwalior fort prison in the late 19th Century. Perhaps most impressive of all are the two huge crystal chandeliers in the centre of the room which are said to be the second largest pair in the world made exclusively by F&C Osler Company. (Birmingham, England). Each weighs 3.5 tons, is 31 feet long, and has 248 bulbs.
The Maharaja would conduct durbar and be seated on a throne at the centre, with sardars and their officials seated to the left and right. The position which each occupied was based on
a strict protocol due to seniority. The pattern is showcased in the adjoining room of Indian Darbar.
The inauguration ceremony of the union of Madhya Bharat with the Prime minister of India Shri Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru was conducted on the 28th of May 1948. During this ceremony, Maharaja Jiwaji Rao Scindia was appointed Rajapramukh of Madhya Bharat, making Durbar Halla witness to a glorious moment in the history of our nation.