Top 5 splendid palaces of India

New Delhi: India has always been applauded world wide for its unity in diversity. Since ancient times, many cultures have flourished in India which are still followed across the country. With the diversity in the cultures, regions, religions etc, India has been widely known for its rich cultural heritage.India has got many palaces that were built by different rulers across the country.The emperors used to flaunt their royalty by building up the lavish and magnificent palaces.While some of them have been demolished or have deteriorated to a great extent, there have been some which still amaze the onlookers with its grandeur.Here we are compiling top 5 palaces of India: Jag Mandir Palace, UdaipurBuilt on an island in Lake Pichola, the Jag Mandir Palace in Udaipur was constructed by the three Maharanas of the Sisodia Rajputs of Mewar kingdom.While its construction was started by Maharana Amar Singh in 1551, it was carried forward by Maharana Karan Singh.Since it was completed by Maharana Jagat Singh I, the palace was named after him as “Jagat Mandir” in his honour.The reception halls, residential suites and internal courts inside the palace are built in Rajput and Mughal architectural styles.Also known as the “Lake Garden Palace”, it was used as a summer resort and pleasure palace for holding parties by the royal family. Mysore PalaceThe Palace of Mysore, a historical palace in city of Mysore in Karnataka, is the residence of the Wodeyars — the Maharajas of Mysore, who ruled the state from 1399 to 1950.Also known as the Amba Vilas Palace has a mesmerizing and gigantic array of courtyards, gardens, and buildings.One of the most famous tourist attractions in India, The Palace of Mysore was built by Her Royal Majesty Maharani Vani Vilas Sannidhna, and her son, the Maharaja of Mysore His Highness Rajarshi Sri Sir Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV.While its construction began in 1897, it was completed during the reign of His Highness Maharaja Sri Sir Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar, the last Maharaja of Mysore Kingdom, in 1912.The architecture was drafted by the British architect Lord Henry Irwin.The Maharajas of Mysore were devotees of Goddess Chamundi, which is why the place faces Chamundi Hills. City Palace, JaipurA palace complex in Jaipur, City Palace includes the Chandra Mahal and Mubarak Mahal palaces and other buildings.The City Palace which is the seat of the Maharaja of Jaipur, the head of the Kachwaha Rajput clan, was between 1729 and 1732, initially by Sawai Jai Singh II.The Palace is laid in a grid pattern with wide avenues and has several palaces, pavilions, gardens and temples in it.The most prominent and most visited structures in the complex are the Chandra Mahal, Mubarak Mahal, Mukut Mahal, Maharani's Palace, Shri Govind Dev Temple and the City Palace Museum. The architecture has the fusion of Shilpa Shastra of Indian architecture with Mughal and European styles of architecture. Jaisalmer PalaceOne of the oldest palaces in Rajasthan, the Jaisalmer Palace was constructed around 1500 AD.The Jaisalmer Palace, also known as “Rajmahal”, was adorned with the most famous architectures and craftsmen during the Royal period.The seven storey palace is also famous for its lattice –work.It has a sculpted pavilion-style balcony and beautiful paintings on its walls.Known as the royal palace, the Jaisalmer Palace was once the residence of the royal families of Jaisalmer.Jaisalmer, which is a World Heritage site, is also known as the Golden City of Rajasthan, and was named after Maharawal Jaisal Singh, a Rajput king who founded the city in 1156 AD. Laxmi Vilas Palace,VadodaraBuilt by Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III in 1890, Laxmi Vilas Palace is an extravagant building in Vadodra.While the British architect Charles Mant designed the Laxmi Vilas Palace in the Indo-Saracenic style, it was completed by architect R F Chisholm.Laxmi Vilas Palace, which is four times the size of Buckingham Palace, is the chief private residence built till date with the interior evocative of a large European country house.This royal palace still remains the residence of the Royal Family of Baroda.It also had the most modern facilities such as elevators even at the time of its construction.