Deobagh Neemrana, Gwalior

The city of Gwalior is a historic one. From harbouring the Mughals to the Marathas to the Jadhavs to being a Garrison for the British, the city has seen quite a lot during it’s 500 years of existence. Although the Gwalior Fort still stands testament to the fact, we are in the mood for something royal, the Deobagh Palace. A 17th century castle, Deobagh was the home to the erstwhile rulers of Gwalior. Neemrana Hotels, the non-hotel hotel chain has now converted it into a heritage property that is quite literally known as the “Lungs of Gwalior”.

The L shaped Fort stands strong against a beautifully manicured courtyard. The metre thick walls of this fort enclose many stories within it, even those of the Rani of Jhansi as she plotted the overthrow of the British garrisoned here. The Deo Bagh, which initially used to host the ladies of the royal Jadhav family has the fifteen rooms spread over a single floor. The architecture in itself is a mixture of traditional Rajputana, Maratha and Mughal.

Our room on the corner blows us away with a panoramic view of the fort. The door opens onto a small seating area on the . It is decked up with lamps and artwork, most importantly wiith family pictures of the royals. A rustic wooden cupboard and old styled beds give you a small insight into how it used to be in the yester years.

The pathway traversing across the fort is decked up with scattered lights that leads you to the dinning. We decide to try out some of the food of the royalty, a motley of complex and intricate recipes handed down the generations.

Seated in the main hall of the fort where the Jadhavs used to hold their court, the Thaali is both delicious and filling. The mooli ki bhaaji spells authentic MP along with daal, papad and chicken curry.

The ginormous gardens also make sure that there are ample opportunities for birding. The fort also houses three temples, the oldest of which dates back to the 11th century. Nearby attractions includes the ubiquitous Gwalior Fort, the splendor of which can only be expressed with photographs.

Right from the time you land up, the staff  at Deo Bagh Fort hustles around to ensure your level of comfort never drops off. With smart Kurta Pyjamas, the locally hired employees will offer you some great stories about the place. The Fort focuses on people eating at the dining hall instead of room service allowing you to take in the beauty of nature and history.

Also, the idiot box stays away making it a complete retreat away from all the hustle bustle of the city. Wake up at sunrise as the Sun gradually throws it’s rays over the ramparts.

The beautiful cacophony of birds will accompany you as you leisurely lounge over a cup of tea or breakfast. The Deobagh offers a momentuous sense of calm in your life otherwise filled with the crackle and bustle of everyday citylife.