Pataudi Palace

Pataudi Palace, also known as Ibrahim Kothi, is a palace and former royal residence associated with the Pataudi family in the town of Pataudi, in Haryana's Gurgaon district, India. The property is connected to the former princely state of Pataudi and is currently held by actor Saif Ali Khan, the son of Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, the last officially recognized titular Nawab of Pataudi. The palace remains primarily a family and heritage residence rather than a conventional commercial brand, but its architectural identity and repeated use as a filming location have given it a prominent place in Indian popular culture. The palace was commissioned by Iftikhar Ali Khan, the eighth Nawab of Pataudi, after his marriage to the Begum of Bhopal. According to accounts of the property, the existing family home was considered insufficiently grand for the couple's circumstances, particularly given the Begum's background and expectations. The new residence was conceived in the manner of large colonial-era mansions associated with Imperial Delhi. Architect Robert Tor Russell designed the building with assistance from Karl Malte von Heinz. Its architecture reflects the early twentieth-century interaction between Indian princely households and British imperial-era design conventions. The estate is spread across approximately 10 acres and contains around 150 rooms. Reported spaces include bedrooms, dressing rooms, billiard rooms, and other areas characteristic of a substantial aristocratic residence. The palace forms part of the broader Pataudi family estate and should be understood within the history of Pataudi State, whose political status changed after the end of British rule and the integration of princely states into the Indian Union. Ownership and use of the residence have followed the changing circumstances of the family. It passed from Iftikhar Ali Khan to his son Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, a prominent cricketer and the last recognized titular Nawab. In 2014, the property returned to the control of Mansoor's son, Saif Ali Khan. It was reported to be closed for renovation in 2015, after which work was completed and the Pataudi family continued to use the palace, particularly during the winter season. Pataudi Palace has also acquired cultural visibility through film and television production. Reported productions filmed at the property include Veer-Zaara, Rang De Basanti, Eat Pray Love, Mangal Pandey: The Rising, Gandhi, My Father, Mere Brother Ki Dulhan, and Tandav. These appearances have made the palace recognizable beyond its architectural and dynastic history, while still preserving its identity as a private family residence rather than a regularly marketed hotel or tourist attraction. A nearby structure, Akbar Manzil, was built after the 1857 uprising as the official residence of a later Nawab and was subsequently converted into a judicial complex, but it is distinct from Pataudi Palace.

Pataudi Palace, also called Ibrahim Kothi, was created as a grand residence for the Pataudi ruling family in the early twentieth century. Its commission followed the marriage of Iftikhar Ali Khan, the eighth Nawab of Pataudi, to the Begum of Bhopal. The family’s earlier home was regarded as inadequate for the new household, so a larger and more prestigious residence was planned. The palace was designed by Robert Tor Russell, an architect associated with major colonial-era projects in Delhi, with assistance from Karl Malte von Heinz. Its design drew on the form and scale of Imperial Delhi mansions, combining the expectations of an Indian princely household with the architectural language of the late colonial period. The palace occupies roughly 10 acres and contains approximately 150 rooms. These include bedrooms, dressing rooms, billiard rooms, and other domestic and recreational spaces. The size of the complex reflects the ceremonial and residential requirements of a ruling princely family rather than those of an ordinary private home. Its history is therefore linked both to the Pataudi dynasty and to the wider transformation of princely India during and after British rule. The residence passed from Iftikhar Ali Khan to his son, Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi. Mansoor was the last recognized titular Nawab of Pataudi and was also widely known for his cricket career. After the end of princely rule, the palace continued as a family property even though the political authority associated with the title had disappeared. It later came into the possession of Mansoor’s son, actor Saif Ali Khan. In 2014, reports described the property as having returned to Saif Ali Khan’s control. In 2015, it was reported to be closed for renovation. The restoration work was subsequently completed, and the Pataudi family continued to use the residence during the winter months. Pataudi Palace has developed an additional place in cultural history through its use as a location for Indian and international screen productions. Films and television series reported to have been shot there include Veer-Zaara, Rang De Basanti, Eat Pray Love, Mangal Pandey: The Rising, Gandhi, My Father, Mere Brother Ki Dulhan, and Tandav. These productions have publicized the palace’s interiors and grounds, although the property remains primarily a private family residence rather than a standard commercial hospitality venue. The palace should be distinguished from nearby Akbar Manzil. That building was constructed after 1857 as the official residence of a later Nawab and was eventually adapted for use as a judicial complex. Together, the two properties illustrate the architectural and institutional history of Pataudi, but only Pataudi Palace is the subject of this entry.

• 2015

  Renovation period reported

  [1]Pataudi Palaceen.wikipedia.org

  The palace was reported to remain closed while renovation work was carried out. The work was later completed.

• 2014

  Control transferred to Saif Ali Khan

  [1]Pataudi Palaceen.wikipedia.org

  The palace was reported to have returned to the control of Saif Ali Khan, the son of Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi.

• 1952

  End of Iftikhar Ali Khan's reign

  [1]Pataudi Palaceen.wikipedia.org

  Iftikhar Ali Khan, who commissioned the palace, died in 1952. The property subsequently passed to his son Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi.

• Commissioned for the Pataudi royal household

  [1]Pataudi Palaceen.wikipedia.org

  Iftikhar Ali Khan, the eighth Nawab of Pataudi, commissioned a new grand residence after his marriage to the Begum of Bhopal. The building was planned in the style of colonial-era mansions associated with Imperial Delhi.

A historic private palace and former princely residence, valued for its Pataudi family associations, colonial-era architecture, and cultural visibility as a film and television location.

• Historic residence

  Pataudi Palace

  The principal palace of the Pataudi family, also known as Ibrahim Kothi. The approximately 10-acre property contains around 150 rooms, including bedrooms, dressing rooms, billiard rooms, and other residential spaces. It functions primarily as a private family residence and heritage property, and has also served as a location for film and television productions.

• 2015

  Renovation and continued private useStrategy

  Background

  The palace was reported to be closed while renovation work was undertaken.

  Action taken

  Renovation work was carried out and subsequently completed.

  Aftermath

  The Pataudi family continued to stay at the palace during winters.

  Source

• 2014

  Return of the palace to Saif Ali KhanOther

  Background

  Following its inheritance within the Pataudi family, the palace was reported to have returned to the control of Saif Ali Khan, son of Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi.

  Action taken

  Saif Ali Khan took control of the family residence.

  Aftermath

  The property remained associated with the Pataudi family and was later renovated for continued private use.

  Source

1. 1Pataudi Palaceen.wikipedia.org