Jai Vilas Palace is close to the heart of the city; it was patterned on the Palace of Versailles, combining Tuscan, Italian and Corinthian styles of architecture. The splendid palace houses a magnificent Durbar Hall whose walls are adorned with gold leaves. Elongated mirrors cover the entire length of the rooms and large grandiose chandeliers dangle from the ceiling and add to the room's luxurious appeal. A crystal staircase spirals its way up the 36 foot high wall. The chandeliers overhead are considered to be Asia's largest pair of chandeliers while the exquisite carpet that covers the entire floor is credited to be the largest of its kind in Asia. The Jai Vilas Palace is the current residence of the Scindia family, though 35 rooms in the palace have been converted into the Jivaji Rao Scindia Museum. The palace also showcases an array of swords whose origin can be traced back to the reign of Aurangzeb and Shah Jahan. The museum provides a glimpse of the rich culture and lifestyle of the royal India.
