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29-495: Samode Palace , Samode Haveli and Samode Bagh (Garden) are heritage monuments and structures built by the noble feudatory with the hereditary title of 'Maha Rawal' or 'Maha Saheb’ of the Amber and Jaipur principality in Rajasthan , India . All three have rich history of several hundred years and display a fusion of Mughal and Rajasthani art and architecture. They are now part of

58-441: A "formal colony" or "junior ally" might also be regarded as a vassal state in terms of international relations, analogous to a domestic "fief-holder" or "trustee". The concept of a vassal state uses the concept of personal vassalry to theorize formally hegemonic relationships between states – even those using non-personal forms of rule. Imperial states to which this terminology has been applied include, for instance: Ancient Rome ,

87-715: A 16th-century Mughal-style garden, enclosed by a 15-foot (4.6 m)-high wall is spread over an area of 20 acres (8.1 ha). It also has 44 sandbank coloured tents with air-conditioning to accommodate visitors. It blends traditional Rajasthan and Mughal décor with the Victorian style , with modern facilities. It has a 200-foot (61 m)-long water channel with a row of fountains that are fed by springs and wells. The tent walls also depict elegant paintings in Mughal art. The tents have been furnished with carpets, standing lamps and well designed beds and chairs and other modern facilities. There

116-606: A Rajput fort, but in the early 19th century, under the nobleman Rawal Berisal, it was converted from a fort into an exquisitely designed palace in Rajput and Muslim architectural style . Rawal Berisal, during this time also served as the chief minister of Rajasthan and exercised full powers. He was signatory, on behalf of the Maharaja of Jaipur , to the treaty signed in 1818 with the British East India Company , which gave it

145-621: A Rajput warrior who was then in Mughal service of the Nathawat clan inherited the Zamindari of Somede. It was under the British Raj but was restored to the Nathawat clan with the hereditary title 'Rawal Saheb' or 'Maha Rawal' (title conferred for their valiance and loyalty to the royal family), in 1757, and this lineage is continued to this date. Samode Palace was initially built in the sixteenth century as

174-551: A monarch. In fully developed vassalage, the lord and the vassal would take part in a commendation ceremony composed of two parts, the homage and the fealty , including the use of Christian sacraments to show its sacred importance. According to Eginhard 's brief description, the commendatio made to Pippin the Younger in 757 by Tassilo III, Duke of Bavaria , involved the relics of Saints Denis, Rusticus, Éleuthère , Martin , and Germain – apparently assembled at Compiegne for

203-467: A patio on each floor. There is an old ruined fort above the palace from where a panoramic view of the valley could be seen. The fort area is overgrown with vegetation but stone paved paths have been built to reach the fort heights. Samode fort was the former residence of the Maharaja. It is said that an underground passage links it to the palace that provided access at times of emergency. It is now approached by

232-493: A similar garden 4 kilometres away from their Samode Palace. Geographically, the three monuments and the village of Samode and its structures are in the pristine hill range of the Aravalli Range in northwestern India. The climate at Samode is severe with summer heat reaching as high as 45 °C (113 °F) and winter temperatures dropping to 4 °C (39 °F). The three heritage structures are: The palace, built by

261-410: A subordinate state (such as a dependency , residency , client state or protectorate ) has retained internal autonomy, but has lost independence in foreign policy, while also, in many instances, paying formal tribute , or providing troops when requested. This is a similar relationship to vassals, but vassals hold fiefdoms which are present in the actual territory of the monarch. In this framework,

290-417: A well laid out stone paved path (300 steps). There is also an entry gate to the ruined fort. Two other forts close by complete the circuit of a circular walk from and back to the palace. There is also a small temple, 3 kilometres away from the fort. The Samode village near the palace is noted for its cloth made by block printing and also for handicrafts such as bangle making. There is a small artists' colony in

319-491: Is also a 150-year-old pavilion within the precincts of the garden. The palace, the haveli and the garden are at a distance of 42 kilometres (26 mi), 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) and 45 kilometres (28 mi) respectively from Jaipur. Jaipur, in turn, is well connected by rail, road, and air to other major Indian cities. Jaipur is 260 kilometres (160 mi) from Delhi by road on the National Highway NH-8. Entry to

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348-574: The Mongol Empire , Imperial China and the British Empire . Shekhawat Shekhawat is a clan of Rajputs found mainly in Shekhawati region of Rajasthan . Shekhawats are descendants of Maharao Shekha of Amarsar . The Shekhawat Rajputs trace their lineage to Shekha Rao, a prominent Rajput chieftain from the 15th century. Shekha Rao was a descendant of Rao Kalyan Singh, who belonged to

377-566: The Heritage group of hotels under the flagship name of "Samode" that are run by the hereditary owners of these structures. The Samode Palace is located 40 kilometres (25 mi) north of Jaipur city, the Samode Haveli is close to Jaipur (centrally located within city limits, 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) away from the city railway station) and the Samode Bagh or Garden, 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) from

406-573: The Kachwaha Rajput clan. Rao Shekha established his own principality in the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan, which includes parts of present-day Jhunjhunu, Sikar, and Churu districts. His leadership helped consolidate Rajput power in this region. Over time, the Shekhawat Rajputs expanded their territories and established several forts and palaces. The Shekhawat Rajputs established their dominance in

435-644: The Shekhawati region for approximately 500 years, from the early 15th century until the 1940s and 1950s, when princely states were absorbed into independent India. Shekhawat is a very common surname in the Indian defence forces. Bhojraj Ji Ka, Girdhar Ji Ka, Jagmal Ji Ka, Achaldas Ji Ka, Rao Ji Ka, Ladkhani, Bhairo ji Ka, Taknet, Ratnawat, Khejroliya, Milakpuriya, Tejsi Ka, Jagmalji Ka, Sahasmalji Ka, Lunkaranji Ka, Ugarsenji Ka, Sanwanldasji Ka, Gopalji Ka, Chandapota, Parsuramji Ka, Tajkhani, Hariramji Ka etc. This article about an Indian ethnicity or social group

464-473: The Shekhawati region in the 15th century, specifically starting around the time of Shekha Rao's rise to prominence in the early 1400s. They played a significant role in regional politics and were known for their martial prowess and resistance against Mughal expansion. Their rule continued until the mid-20th century when the princely states were integrated into the Indian Union. Thus, the Shekhawat Rajputs governed

493-517: The entrance gate of the palace is a unique piece of a large-sized treasure chest made of dark wood with marble settings and gleaming glass. The Sheesh Mahal (Hall of Mirrors) is located on the southern side of the palace. The frescoes in the Durbar Hall and in the Sultan Mahal are said to be 250 years old. The palace is built on three levels (planned in a sequence of courtyards of increasing height) with

522-482: The event. Such refinements were not included from the outset when it was time of crisis, war, hunger, etc. Feudal society was increasingly based on the concept of "lordship" (French seigneur ), which was one of the distinguishing features of the Early Middle Ages and had evolved from times of Late Antiquity . In the time of Charlemagne (ruled 768–814), the connection slowly developed between vassalage and

551-424: The grant of land, the main form of wealth at that time. Contemporaneous social developments included agricultural " manorialism " and the social and legal structures labelled — but only since the 18th century — " feudalism ". These developments proceeded at different rates in various regions. In Merovingian times (5th century to 752), monarchs would reward only the greatest and most trusted vassals with lands. Even at

580-408: The inheritance of their benefice to the heirs of their family. A "lower" group consisted of landless knights attached to a count or duke . This social settling process also received impetus in fundamental changes in the conduct of warfare. As co-ordinated cavalry superseded disorganized infantry , armies became more expensive to maintain. A vassal needed economic resources to equip the cavalry he

609-410: The most extreme devolution of any remnants of central power, in 10th-century France, the majority of vassals still had no fixed estates. The stratification of a fighting band of vassals into distinct groups might roughly correlate with the new term " fief " that had started to supersede "benefice" in the 9th century. An "upper" group comprised great territorial magnates, who were strong enough to ensure

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638-671: The noblemen of the court of the royal family, is located near the Samode village on the outskirts of Shekhawat . It is built of sandstone at the foot of the Aravalli range of hills (the foremost mountain range of north-western India) with a fortress-like setting. The interiors of the palace are composed in the ancient architectural style of Rajasthan: marble floors, intricately ornamented pillars, mosaic walls (with tiny pieces of small inlaid stones), with luxurious carpets, and decorated with old wall paintings (hunting scenes, floral motifs and so forth). At

667-452: The palace costs Rs 1000 per person as of 15 August 2015. This includes a tour of the palace and can be credited towards food and drink in the courtyard restaurant. The tour includes the ladies waiting rooms, the shish mahal (room of mirrors), the Durbar hall, and the pool area (viewing only, no swimming). Vassal In contrast, fealty ( fidelitas ) was sworn, unconditional loyalty to

696-612: The palace which is also run as a luxury hotel. Many Hindi feature films have been pictured with the settings of the palace. The 1984 American HBO TV serial adaptation of the Raj-romance novel The Far Pavilions was also filmed in the palace precincts and starred Ben Cross , Amy Irving , Omar Sharif and Christopher Lee . Samode is a large town in Rajasthan, which belonged to the landlords known as ‘ zamindars ’ (in Hindi language ) of

725-497: The principal thakurs of the state of Amber . It shot into prominence due to the Thakurs lineage traced to Maharaja Rajveer Singhji, the 17th prince of the house of Kacchwaha Rajputs . Samode was bequeathed to Gopal Singhji one of his 12 sons, as a noble feudatory of the Amber and Jaipur principality. Samode was, even then, considered a very rich town under the kingdom of Amber. Behari Das,

754-556: The status of a protectorate to Jaipur. Rawal Sheo Singh, a descendant of Rawal Berisal, who was the prime minister of Jaipur state for several years, during the middle of the 19th century, further expanded the palace by adding the Durbar Hall (considered as "extravagantly florid and hand painted") with a gallery and the Sheesh Mahal or the hall of mirrors. In 1987, it was converted into the heritage "Samode Palace Hotel". Samode haveli

783-413: The village where miniature paintings are made. The haveli is built facing north. It has an elegant painted dining room and an air passage. It has a unique ambiance of the historic juxtaposed against a contemporary setting. An elephant ramp, specially constructed at the entrance to the haveli, was laid in 1940 on the occasion of the marriage ceremony of a member of the royal family. Samode Bagh, or garden,

812-488: Was also built by Rawal Sheo Singh more than 150 years ago. It was built as a resort for the royal family. Samode Bagh or Samode garden was landscaped more than 150 years ago by one of the sons of Maharaja Prithiraj Singhji of Jaipur. It was patterned on the lines of Mughal gardens , which the Mughals had developed in other parts of their kingdom as a retreat for relaxation and enjoyment. The royal family of Samode also established

841-410: Was bound to contribute to his lord to fight his frequent wars. Such resources, in the absence of a money economy, came only from land and its associated assets, which included peasants as well as wood and water. Many empires have set up vassal states , based on tribes, kingdoms, or city-states, the subjects of which they wish to control without having to conquer or directly govern them. In these cases

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