Aina Mahal is an 18th century palace that was built during the flamboyant rule of Lakhpatji who had a passion for music, art, architecture, and literature.
The layout, design and decorations of Aina Mahal were highly influenced by a royal dream that had eventually been converted into reality by an extremely deft craftsman Ramsinh Malam who designed it in a mixed Indo-European style and set about creating the materials for the palace locally. The erstwhile palace which belonged to Maharao Lakhpatji has now been converted into a Museum. It is a piece of art in itself and houses several rare paintings and collectibles from around the world. The Maharao, the 18th King of the Jadeja Dynasty ruled for 89 days. On 1st June 1948 he signed a treaty with the Indian Union, making Kutch a Part ‘C’ state. Taking the advice of his close friend Lord Mountbatten, Maharao Madan Sinhji joined the Foreign Services. He served as a Minister in England (1949-1956) , The Ambassador to Norway(57-60) and Chile (60-61) and then retired. He resided in the Sharad Bagh and Vijay Villas Palace after retirement. He was married to Rajendra Kuvar Ba (Princess of Kishangarh). His family consists of 3 sons and 2 daughters. Maharao Madan Sinhji had a special interest in Tennis and Shikar (hunting). He represented India at the Davis Club in 1936. He excelled in the art of pig sticking. He was also fond of bird watching and extensively studied birds. In 1972 the government abolished the privy purse (a payment made to the royal families of erstwhile princely states as part of their agreements to first integrate with India in 1947, and later to merge their states in 1948 whereby they lost all ruling rights) Maharao Madan Sinhji converted Prag mahal, Aina mahal and Sharad bagh palace along with all the collectibles, silver and art into trusts and made it open for public viewing. In addition to this he also set up various other trusts -Maharao of kutch Benevolent trust -Rajput women and children trust -Devastan and other charitable trust -Madan Sinhji rural development trust He set up a Corpus fund under a trust (for educational activity, medicinal help, economic help and to maintain the garden) In 1962, when China attacked India, on the appeal of the government he presented 100kilo gold in exchange for bonds. As well as offered his services to the Government. He provided to the government of India many documents to be presented to the international court in the dispute between India and Pakistan. Even though Maharao Madan Sinhji ruled for a short period, he had new coins minted in the Kutch mint. These coins were unique as they had ‘Jai hind’ one side and the Maharao’s name printed at the back.
LAKHPATJI 1707-61 In 1741 at the age of thirty four, Lakhpatji peacefully seized control of the court from his father Maharao Desalji. In 1752 Lakhpatji was finally installed on the gaddi (throne) on the death of his father, the popular and versatile Desalji. However during Lakhpatji’s period as a yuvraj, he was appointed by his father to proceed to Delhi and attend a darbar (court) of the Mughal Emperor Muhammad Shah. This invitation marked the first meeting of the Kutch ruling family with the Mughal imperial court. At the darbar, Lakhpatji developed a reputation for his concerts of music and dance which he held at his tent at night. Lakhpatji’s solo performance soft classical music and dance succeeded in winning him the hearts of two Danseuses who chose to accompany him on his return to Kutch. Lakhpatji’s interests and influences on Kutch also extended significantly into the various crafts manufactured within the state. When he returned from Delhi he began to build a palace at Bhuj inspired by what he had seen in the Mughal court. Its construction entailed inviting many artists to the Kutch court. The most important and now famous of these artisans is Ramsingh Malam, who had returned from Europe at about the time Lakhapatji acceded to the throne. Lakhaptji was an excellent poet. In addition he possessed military skills sufficient to successfully battle against Sher Buland Khan and various rebellious Jagidars of Kutch.
