A large vase with big white never seen flowers with mild fragrance greeted us. Then came a large 4 directional sculpture carved out of sangamravar (white marble)…what could be next? Huge staircase with snug fit carpet welcomed guests to the second floor. Walking up the stairs passing dozens of Britisher colonel, lord pictures and huge ceiling height…ceiling…all carved in wood about 50 feet x 30 feet wide now sheltering 5star hotel guests. Beautiful!
Nizam’s bedroom, bath tub, billiyard table with ivory que stick, huge 101 sitting dining table, statues of king George…
I recalled my visit to Raigad, capital of Shivaji! And then to various forts which he had then captured…remains of empire, Bazaar with broken structures, broken temples… Not a single house (forget palace) I saw where Shivaji had lived…baring a mediocre one at Shivneri where Shivaji is supposedly born!
Both were kings, both had empires. Just that one preferred survival and other preferred pride! One preferred amicable life and other life full of struggle, dreams. One is survived by palaces turned into 5 start hotels and the other…
… Is survived after inspiring stories, imaginative remains and “har har mahadev”!!!
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