Octagonal Beauty By Chhatrpatis of Kolhapur

A Black stone structure overlooking gardens , fountains and a wrestling ground.That's the beauty of New Palace .A masterpiece of the Maratha Empire, Home to the Chhatrapatis of Kolhapur, the palace was built in the late 1800s by Charles Mant ,the architect who also designed the Laxmi Palace in Vadodara.

The palace is built in an octogonal shape with a clock tower in the centre.The clock was affixed on it 1877.The palace is further crowned by smaller doomed towers.

The Darbar Hall occupies a double height space at the centre of the New Palace.The throne of the royal family is on a raised platform at the end of the hall.The side walls of the hall have stained glass panes which depict scenes from Chhatrapati Shivaji 's Life.Beautifully carved columns support the cast iron balcony above the hall.

The palace grounds also comprise a zoo and a lake .The Shahaji Chhatrapati Museum located on the ground floor of the palace displays memorabilia like a letter from the British Viceroy and the then Governor General of India presented to Kolhapur royalty.Besides it also showcases costumes, weaponry  and jwellery from the previous era.One of the weapons includes Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb's sword.Another section depicts the hunting expeditions undertaken by the Maharajas.