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Samode is one of the most worth visiting destinations in the colorful Rajasthan, India. Samode is fairly close to the Pink City, Jaipur - the capital of Rajasthan, India. It is located on the distance of 42 km from Jaipur, Rajasthan, India. Located in the way to Shekhawati, Shekhawati is a small village which is famous for its grand havelis, mansions, forts, palaces, and handicrafts. Samode is also known fort its culture and local arts. Samode is easily accessible from Jaipur, Rajasthan, India. It is well connected through good networks of Road from Jaipur. The major attraction of Samode is Samode Palace . Almost all the major palaces of Rajasthan, India belong to Royal Family but Samode Palace does not belong to any royal family. It belongs to Rawal Family. The best way to explore Samode village is camel ride. It gives a mesmerizing experience.
History of Samode
Samode according to the Rajputana Gazetteer of 1879 was a large and flourishing town. The Zamidars (landlords) of Samode the principal thakurs of the state of Amber were the Nathawat clan from Chomu, a branch of the house of Amber, tracing their relation to the Jaipur Maharaja the fabled Prithviraj Singhji the 17th prince of the house of Kacchwaha Rajputs. Gopal Singhji one of his 12 sons was awarded Samode, a noble feudatory of the Amber & Jaipur principality. It was among the wealthiest territories in the Amber kingdom. The Zamidari eventually passed within the clan to the hands of Behari Das, a Rajput warrior in Mughal Service. After 6 generations in the hands of his descendants Samode was relinquished to the Raj.
In 1757 the territory was returned to the Nathawats (the hereditary title of 'Rawal Saheb' still rests with the present family).
For the 1st half of it's existence Samode Palace was a little more than a fortified stronghold in the rugged Rajput tradition. Only in the early 19th century under Rawal Berisal did the castle begin to take on the lavish aspects it is now known for. He was an eminent statesman who reached distinction as the principal signatory (on behalf of the Jaipur Maharaja) of the historic 1818 treaty making Jaipur a protectorate of British East India Company. He later became Chief Minister of Jaipur and weilded absolute power.
Samode Palace quite clearly began expanding at the time of his reign and continued under his descendant Rawal Sheo Singh who was the Prime Minister of Jaipur state for several years during the middle of the 19th century. He is credited with the Palace's most fabulous addition - the extravagantly florid had painted Darbar Hall and the overlooking gallery which forms the breathtaking Sheesh Mahal or the hall of mirrors.
Transportation of Samode
The nearest airhead is Jaipur from where flights can be taken for the other important cities of India. Major cities that are connected with Jaipur by air are Delhi, Mumbai, and Udaipur.
Jaipur is the nearest railhead that links Samode with the other parts of the country. There are several good trains that connect Jaipur with Delhi, Mumbai, and Calcutta.
The distance from Jaipur to Samode is 42 kilometers. From Jaipur one can drive out on the highway to Bikaner. Samode can be reached after taking a left turn from a village called Chomu. The Samode Palace is only about 10 km from this village. Samode is connected to the other places in Rajasthan through state transport corporation buses.
Prime Attractions
Samode Bagh
The history of Samode Palace goes back to more than four and a half centuries. Prithviraj  Singhji of Amber, the seventeenth prince of the house of Kachhawah Rajputs, had awarded Samode to one of his twelve sons - Gopal Singhji alongwith the hereditary title of Rawal Saheb. Set cosily in the scenic rocky hills, Samode Palace with its stately majesty opens a grand journey into the glorious past through its frescoed corridors. The palace is full of architectural delights. The birds, animals and flowers painted on the walls of the Sultan Mahal, the dining room with its stained glass windows and its collection of old family portraits, the Durbar Hall with its painted ceilings and intricately carved walls and beautiful chandeliers, give this palace its ethnic charm. Each room is done up in traditional Rajasthani style and the antique furniture blends well with the surroundings. A traditional welcome with camel carts, buggies, elephants and local musicians is organized on preference. Camel safaris are available.
Built more than 400 years ago by Rawal Sheo Singhji, it is modelled on the geometric style of the Mughal Garden. Members of the Samode family came here to enjoy rare moments of privacy and relax in the airy pavilions, surrounded by rippling water fountains. A special feature of the stay here is the accommodation being provided in the tents. Meeting point at the Bagh is the elegantly furnished Durbar tent. Dune coloured tents, all luxuriously furnished with every comfort, the lawns, fruit trees, grape vines, and the flowering shrubs make the stay here a memorable one |
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