Udai Bilas Palace has a private museum – AJAIBGHAR, Maharani Manhar Kumari Museum. With lovely collection of artifacts, paintings, garments and armories. Ajaibghar brings alive the Dungarpur state and its first family through an eclectic collection ranging across textiles, silver, miniature paintings, photography, ceramics and more.
Named after Maharani Manhar Kumari, daughter of Maharaja Madan Singh of Kishangarh and mother of current Maharaja Mehrawal Mahipal Singh, the museum showcases the seamless mix of tradition and modernity that is characteristic of family’s taste in Art Craftsmanship and architecture.
The display reflects the whimsy inherent in an ajaibghar or house of wonder, as museums used to be known in India; and indeed as the space was experienced by Maharani Manhar Kumari’s grandchildren. Highlighting a sense of discovery and encountering the unexpected, it thus consciously references a vintage museum aesthetic and experience.
Elements of display also draw on the rich visual heritage of the older-fort palace of Juna Mahal. Founded in the 13th century, it remained the family’s residence until early 20th century and the building of Udai Bilas Palace, making Juna Mahal the longest continuously inhabited fort-palace in India.