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Daulat Mahal and its very original graffiti, Idar

As you walk up the steps to the 'Daulat Mahal' (originally Idariyo Gadh, or Palace of Wealth in English), the ruins look anything but impressive. This was my second visit to this Palace in Idar, and I wasn't expecting much this time either. We were all tired and sweating profusely, but were nevertheless keen on visiting this prominent landmark in the town.


daulat mahal idar gujarat graffiti travel tourism
The palace ruins through the rocks
daulat mahal idar gujarat graffiti travel tourism
A beautiful yellow block on the second level

There is little history shared at the entrance and all I could figure out from the local 'pan shop' was that this was built by a Jain king who controlled a few thousand villages around Idar. Looking at the rather humble palace, one could say that he was rich but not extravagant; or maybe most of the glory is already lost. He married at least twice. When he got his new wife home, the older one was furious and left the king for good. He built her a small palace atop the highest hill close to his own Palace where she lived in company of a horse and another maid.

jumping man male boy india daulat mahal idar gujarat graffiti vikram tej nid travel tourism
Tej flaunting his assets in air!
manoj kumar, vikram tej, daulat mahal idar gujarat graffiti vikram tej nid
The gang (am missing)!

The palace is all but destroyed by both nature and man. No past glories remains within the palace, except a few impressive arches. However, something unintentional has happened over the years as men and women professed their love for each other on the walls, ceiling and floor of the palace. Every part of the palace is covered with these words, often black with a few colors thrown in sometimes. The fact that most of these talk about love makes them even more wonderful.


vikram tej daulat mahal idar gujarat graffiti vikram tej nid
Tej with the full-on attitude!
shaunak IDC designer daulat mahal idar gujarat graffiti
Another friend in love!
daulat mahal idar gujarat graffiti
Graffiti art

And some of these are actually very beautiful. Since there is little left to be seen in palace, it was a pleasure to acquaint oneself with various modes of wall art. Though most have used the walls for writing, a few are also engraved on the walls and floor.


daulat mahal idar gujarat graffiti
Art on the floor
daulat mahal idar gujarat graffiti
Graffiti art
daulat mahal idar gujarat graffiti
Some art on the walls!

Any opinions on this bizarre art destroying an old palace? The new art is already a part of the experience of visiting the palace, but is it art at all? Should this be retained, if the palace is ever restored to its former glory?

Comments

  1. ?July 4, 2011 at 8:44 AM

    Interesting post.
    Such places evoke mixed feelings..
    The history snippet was fun to know..must have been beautiful to live there with a horse and the maid! :-D

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  2. vishakhaJuly 4, 2011 at 9:24 AM

    Nice pics sid...specialy the gang one and tej ka full on attitude...:)

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  3. ShashankJuly 4, 2011 at 12:21 PM

    loved the pics...good post

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  4. Siddhartha JoshiJuly 4, 2011 at 12:46 PM

    @?: You are right...but am not so sure about the history bit, it might just be a local legend! But the palace does exist and has a lovely view from top...

    @vishakha: Yes, Tej was our model for the day...and he made sure he was clicked every five minutes :)

    @Shashank: Thanks man :)

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  5. OlaJuly 4, 2011 at 3:47 PM

    you took very good shots!

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  6. Siddhartha JoshiJuly 4, 2011 at 3:54 PM

    Thanks a lot Ola :)

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  7. SridharanJuly 4, 2011 at 8:22 PM

    Interesting post.. the third photo is artistic..Wonderful..!

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  8. TeamgsquareJuly 4, 2011 at 9:21 PM

    How sad , its sheer disrespect towards our country's heritage and culture . Hope people realise this and take care places like these for future

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  9. Siddhartha JoshiJuly 4, 2011 at 10:19 PM

    @Sridharan: Thanks, I had a great time clicking these pictures too!

    @Dhiraj: I agree...but somehow in this palace it didn't look so out of place. But I completely agree that we need to preserve our rich legacy...

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  10. FotokarusellenJuly 4, 2011 at 11:36 PM

    Great post and a very beautiful set of images. Wonderful photowork.

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  11. eye in the skyJuly 5, 2011 at 10:01 AM

    Looks like the visit was a lot of fun. The photos say so.

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  12. Siddhartha JoshiJuly 5, 2011 at 11:19 AM

    @fotokarusellen: Thanks a lot, good to hear such nice words from you :)

    @eyeinthesky: It sure was fun, though the heat was absolutely killing!

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  13. magiceyeJuly 7, 2011 at 8:37 AM

    the possibility of it being restored to its former glory is remote knowing how asi works. the walls of old forts in maharashtra have been rebuilt with cement and concrete!

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  14. Siddhartha JoshiJuly 7, 2011 at 9:11 AM

    @magiceye: I know its hardly an option for this palace in ruins...Ahmedabad also suffers from shoddy repair work, with the heritage gates being reconstructed with cement!

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  15. OtienoHongoJuly 7, 2011 at 9:29 PM

    Another interesting post Joshi. Just a question, have you ever done a piece on Udaipur? I lived there for 5 years in the 90s so I have a soft spot for Rajasthan.

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  16. Siddhartha JoshiJuly 7, 2011 at 9:37 PM

    Thanks Otieno! I never did a post on Udaipur though I have been to the city a few times in the past...but I will wait for my next visit till I write a post on it. I don't think I can do justice to the place without spending a few days roaming around in its streets...

    How come you were in Udaipur?

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  17. TaniaJuly 8, 2011 at 12:40 AM

    Wonderful history and details. Like the heart pictures very much:-) What a great place to photography.
    Tanks for your nice comments.
    Wish you a happy Summer:-) Best regards from Tania

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  18. Siddhartha JoshiJuly 8, 2011 at 1:51 AM

    Thanks a lot Tania, heart pictures are my favorite as well :)

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  19. FranciscaJuly 9, 2011 at 8:05 PM

    If the structure is worth preserving, and by the looks of it, it is, then it's a pity it is not. If not worth preserving, I'd say the graffiti doesn't matter. While some graffiti is arguable well-done, it's always a tort, an offence to the property owner. Looks like you had a fun time here with your gang and you've posted some fun and good photos.

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  20. BhushavaliJuly 11, 2011 at 3:04 PM

    Love your photography dude!!! Awesome place and more awesome shots!!!
    Bird Watch-Tawny Eagle
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    ReplyDelete
  21. Siddhartha JoshiJuly 11, 2011 at 3:37 PM

    @Francisca: You are right, graffiti of any form is a tort to any space...especially for something worth preserving from the past. Especially in India, we lose so much heritage like this...

    @Bhushavali: Thanks a lot :) I had some great friends ready to pose :)

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  22. dishantparikhJuly 11, 2011 at 11:58 PM

    Its wonderful... I never been to such places in Gujarat and not even heard about it. You are a real explorer.

    We must look after such places and its our responsibility to preserve them. I have just recently seen one video on TED explaining that how these old sculputres and forts share with us about their culture and ideas.

    They are also part of our national wealth.

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  23. UnknownJuly 12, 2011 at 2:36 AM

    It may not look as amazing as other sites but I guess I would like to explore it. The Tej in the air photo is so cool as well as the heart shots. Well done.

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  24. Siddhartha JoshiJuly 12, 2011 at 8:44 PM

    @dishantparikh: You are absolutely right, these monuments need to be preserved for us and our future generations...

    Somehow I am convinced this place would never come under ASI scanner. The queen's palace (on top of a rocky hill close by) is already almost gone...

    @JM: Thanks :) You would really like the place if you enjoy ruins...even in their current state each room can give you a story :)

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  25. AshJuly 12, 2011 at 9:16 PM

    Very nice images. I particularly like the last one and the art on the floors!

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  26. Nisha JhaJuly 12, 2011 at 10:09 PM

    Loved the history of poor lady & her maid & the horse. :)
    I am wondering what's gonna happen when paanwala goes out. :)

    Loved the last picture most.
    P.S.- Sometimes you should give camera to others as well. :)

    Nisha - Le Monde-A Poetic Travail

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  27. Siddhartha JoshiJuly 13, 2011 at 4:07 AM

    @Ash: Thanks a lot, I also like the last one :)

    @Nisha: I agree the story is a little funny, sad and likable :)

    P.S. Maybe I should :)

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  28. RIZALENIOJuly 22, 2011 at 1:48 PM

    Awesome. Like all your photos. Those graffiti arts are very interesting. Happy weekend.

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  29. My Unfinished LifeJuly 24, 2011 at 12:22 PM

    im liking the graffiti!!....somehow in this place..it doesnt look bad!!!
    but not on our major heritage structures for sure!!

    http://sushmita-smile.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  30. Siddhartha JoshiJuly 24, 2011 at 10:13 PM

    @Rizalenio: Thanks a lot man :)

    @Shootingstar: I also agree, somehow it doesn't look bad here. And of course we should do our best to prevent something like this happening at any of our other heritage sites!

    ReplyDelete
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    @Cheap Flights to Las Vegas: Thank you :) And yes, I do love photography a lot!

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  35. AnonymousJuly 19, 2012 at 8:56 PM

    i Am form idar and i visited it one time.....

    ReplyDelete

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