The City Palace Preface

The Palki Khana - at a glance:

From the time of the epics Ramayana and Mahabharata the Palanquins (Palki) were in use to carry the brides and royal ladies.

In Mewar the first reference to palanquin is found when Queen Padmini sent her soldiers to rescue Rawal Ratan Singh (r. 1302 - 1303 CE) from the clutches of Sultan Alauddin Khilji of Delhi, in 1303. The soldiers were hiding in the Palanquins and when they reached the enemy camp, they jumped out and after a fierce fight they managed to escape with Rawal Ratan Singh. Also in 1526 when Maharana Sangram Singh I (r. 1509 - 1528 CE) was injured at the battle of Khanwa against the Mughal invader Baber, his nobles carried him to safety in a palanquin.

In Mewar the Maharana would often use this mode of transport moving from one place to another on ceremonial occasions or other-wise same would apply for royal ladies.

The Palkies or Palanquin used for brides and royal ladies are either with wooden doors or covered with curtains so that the bride or the Royal lady is not seen by prying eyes. Besides Palanquins, the other modes of transports are TamJaam, Takhat, Pharkies and Howdah. Tam-Jaam in English is called open litter or sedan chair.

Palki Khana is situated on the south of Manek Chowk, The City Palace, Udaipur.

It was built by Maharana Sangram Singh II (r. 1710 - 1734 CE). It was referred in wall murals of Chitram Ki Burj, Mardana Mahal, The City Palace Museum, Udaipur. Later on in 19th century idol of Lord Ganesha was installed on the top of this structure by Maharana Swarup Singh (r.1842-1861 CE). This structure is quoted as Palki Khana in the notes of Dr.Gopinath Sharma as this name 'Palki Khana' got prevalent in the reign of Maharana Bhupal Singh (r.1930 - 1955 CE).

It is possibly believed that in the very early period this place was named as 'Pilaan Khana', as the name indicates, this space was probably created for the storage and upkeep of the Palkis (traditional palanquins for the royal ladies). It basically served as a service space near the Suraj Pol.

The structure of the Palki Khana was restored and both the function and style of it has changed, yet, it retains some features of the 18th and 19th century and it has considerable architectural value.

To the date it is reused as a European-style cafe offering refreshing food, day and night, or visitors to the City Palace Museum on the ground floor and as a boutique on the first floor. The lighting fittings and fixtures have been added recently during the conversion of the structure into a restaurant.

A view of Palki Khana from The City Palace Museum
Accession no. CPMU 2009.09.0314-00110

Palki Khana at The Manek chowk, The City Palace

Who made The Palki Khana and when was it made?

It was built by Maharana Sangram Singh II (r. 1710 - 1734 CE) in the 17th Century.

Why was The Palki Khana made?

This space was created for the storage and upkeep of the Palkis (traditional palanquins for the royal ladies and Maharanas). It basically served as a service space near the Suraj Pol.