Padma Palace

Padma Palace is a historic palace located in Padma village in Hazaribagh district, Jharkhand, about 30 km from Hazaribagh town. Built as the residence of the Maharaja of Ramgarh estate in the early 20th century, it served as the capital of Ramgarh Raj after its shift from Ramgarh. The two-storeyed palace features colonial-influenced architecture with spacious courtyards and is noted for its heritage value and association with the former princely estate.

Visitors can expect a two-storey heritage palace set in a large compound in Padma village, surrounded by rural landscape and gardens. The exterior shows colonial-influenced architecture with arched verandas, courtyards and symmetrical facades. Interiors are largely not open to general tourists as part of the complex houses a police training institute, but the outer structure, gate and grounds can be viewed. The visit is primarily for sightseeing, photography of the exterior and understanding the history of the Ramgarh estate.

Padma Palace was built as the palace of the Maharaja of Ramgarh estate after the capital was shifted from Ramgarh to Padma. Constructed in the early 20th century during the reign of the Ramgarh Raj family, notably associated with Maharaja Kamakhya Narain Singh, it served as the royal residence and administrative centre of the estate. After independence, the palace complex was taken over for government use and now houses a police training centre.

The palace represents the heritage of the former Ramgarh Raj, one of the prominent zamindari estates of the Chota Nagpur region. It reflects the architectural and cultural transition of the early 20th century with colonial influences and remains a landmark of local identity and history for Hazaribagh district.