Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum

Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum (the world famous royal art museum, home to India's largest private collection of Raja Ravi Varma paintings, and premier cultural gallery of the Gaekwad estate) in Vadodara in Gujarat, is one of South Asia's most distinguished fine art institutions.

Originally constructed in 1890 as the Motibaug School for the education of royal Gaekwad princes, this elegant Indo Victorian building was converted into a public museum in 1961 by Maharaja Fatehsinghrao Gaekwad to share his family's extraordinary private art treasures with the world.

It's the home of over thirty monumental oil canvases by legendary artist Raja Ravi Varma, masterworks by European painters including Rembrandt, Titian, and Raphael, classical Italian marble statues carved by Felici, delicate Chinese Ming dynasty ceramics, Japanese Satsuma vases, and polished teakwood display cases.

It represents a rich union of royal patronage, classical European aesthetics, and modern Indian artistic genius where fine art galleries, Laxmi Vilas Palace estates, Naulakhi Well stepwells, and Kirti Mandir cenotaphs unite around Vadodara.

Located inside the lush 500 acre grounds of the Laxmi Vilas Palace estate on Jawaharlal Nehru Marg, the museum sits just 3.5 km south of Vadodara Junction Railway Station (BRC), 7 km from Vadodara Airport (BDQ), and 4 km from Sayaji Baug, easily reached by auto or cab.

The Raja Ravi Varma Collection, European Masters & Royal Bronzes

In 1888, Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III invited Raja Ravi Varma to Baroda, commissioning him to paint Hindu mythological narratives and Gaekwad family portraits.

Today, the museum houses the single largest and best preserved collection of Ravi Varma originals, including celebrated paintings of Nala Damayanti, Arjuna and Subhadra, Harishchandra, and Radha Krishna.

Complementing Indian art is an extensive European wing featuring copies and originals of Italian Renaissance masters, alongside rare marble sculptures by Italian master Felici.

Truth is, the museum also displays miniature European ivory carvings and Japanese woodblock prints collected by the Maharaja during his global diplomatic journeys.

Laxmi Vilas Palace, Naulakhi Well & Kirti Mandir Links

Laxmi Vilas Palace: Situated only 400 meters away within the same estate, this 1890 royal residence is four times the size of Buckingham Palace.

Naulakhi Well: Located within the northern garden perimeter, this 1405 AD subterranean stepwell features multi tiered stone galleries.

Kirti Mandir: Sits 2.5 km north on the Vishwamitri riverbank, housing twentieth century murals by Nandalal Bose.

Palace Estate Art Tour & Walking Circuit

The Royal Art & Estate Route: Morning breakfast of hot fafda and jalebi in Sayajiganj (8:00 AM) -> arrive at the Laxmi Vilas Palace ticket desk for audio tour entry (9:30 AM) -> tour the Durbar Hall, coronation throne, and royal armor collection (9:45 AM to 11:15 AM) -> stroll along shaded palace pathways to the Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum (11:30 AM to 1:00 PM) -> inspect the world renowned Raja Ravi Varma galleries with audio guide commentary -> authentic Gujarati thali lunch in Alkapuri (1:30 PM to 2:45 PM) -> explore the medieval Naulakhi Well stepwell (3:15 PM to 4:15 PM) -> evening visit to Kirti Mandir and Sursagar Lake (4:45 PM to 6:30 PM) -> dinner (8:30 PM).

Museum Protocol & Viewing Advice: Audio guides in English, Hindi, and Gujarati are provided at the entrance; maintain a respectful viewing distance from oil canvases; photography without flash is permitted in specific galleries; bags must be checked at the cloakroom.

After exploring the royal art treasures of Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum, continue your journey across Laxmi Vilas Palace, Naulakhi Well, or Kirti Mandir.