INTRODUCTION

Jai Vilas Palace museum is part of Jai Vilas Palace in Gwalior city of Madhya Pradesh. This palace was constructed in year 1874 by then Maharaja Jayajirao Scindia (1843 -86). Gwalior was a princely state during British India period. It is a triple storeyed palace, designed by Lieutenant Colonel Michael Filose local called Mukhel sahib. He was chief secretary and director of Public Instruction of Gwalior in 1863. This palace was developed in western style so that Maharaja of Gwalior will have a western style residence and also to empress the top British India officers. In those days King Edward VII and Queen Mary visit to India was proposed in 1905 thus palace was made to offer them grand welcome to this newly constructed palace, during there visit to Gwalior state. During construction phase, museum was not planned. On 12 December 1964, Rajamata Vijaya Raje Scindia took initiative and decided to convert the West and South wings of the palace in to a museum.

ABOUT MUSEUM

Rajamata Vijaya Raje Scindia's decision to make a museum for normal public was a turning point in the Scindia family. It was an indication towards better coordination between local people and with this Scindia family was entering into political field of India. Thus museum filled the gap between royal family lifestyle and normal people living. Rajmata took decision in memory of her beloved husband HH Maharaja Sir Jiwaji Rao Scindia. He was the last Maharaja of Gwalior princely state and very popular among local people. It was inaugurated by the then president of India Dr. Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan. This museum allowed the access to normal public to have glimpse of lifestyle of Scindia dynasty, art & culture, Maratha history. It has 41 galleries at present, this museum displays the phase from  18th century to 20th century, in the form of things put in display like Kerman Masha'ir carpet at Durbar Hall, arms used by Gwalior state army, dress code of Maharajas and officers, furniture, paintings, manuscripts etc.

Visiting Hours: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM (Monday closed)