New Palace

New Palace in Kolhapur is a historic royal residence built between 1877 and 1884 using black polished stone. Designed by architect Charles Mant, it features an eight-angled plan with a central clock tower and stained glass depicting scenes from Shivaji’s life. The ground floor houses the Shahaji Chhatrapati Museum, displaying royal memorabilia, weapons, costumes, and taxidermy. It remains the residence of the current Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj while serving as a major heritage attraction.

Visitors can explore the Shahaji Chhatrapati Museum on the ground floor, which displays royal costumes, weaponry including Aurangzeb’s sword, silver elephant saddles, and stuffed wildlife trophies. The Darbar Hall features stained glass illustrations of Shivaji’s life and carved columns with temple-style brackets. The palace grounds include gardens, a lake, and an open zoo with migratory birds and deer. The upper floors remain the private residence of the royal family and are not accessible to the public.

Constructed between 1877 and 1884 at a cost of seven lakh rupees, the palace was designed by British architect Charles Mant. It served as the residence of Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj and now houses a museum inaugurated in 1974 to commemorate Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj’s birth centenary. The building exemplifies Indo-Saracenic architecture blending Hindu, Jain, and Rajput influences.

The palace preserves the legacy of the Kolhapur royal family, descendants of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Its museum showcases Maratha royal lifestyle through artifacts, weapons, and hunting trophies. The Darbar Hall and stained glass windows reflect Maratha artistic traditions and historical narratives.