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A 300-year old, regal haveli built by an army officer who was gifted a huge portion of land by the Mughal Emperor…
When my friends ask me what the Rajbari is like, I refer to the Beatles song that goes, “I give her all my love, that’s all I do, if you saw my love, you’d love her too.” That’s how I feel about The Rajbari. Just her aura and presence – this grand old lady has my whole heart.
When you travel to India, you want to feel that sense of timeless romance. It’s crazy what I found here in Bengal. A 300-year old, regal haveli built by an army officer who was gifted a huge portion of land by the Mughal Emperor as a reward for quelling a rebellion. When I first came across this place it was in an Angkor Wat-like state. There were no floors because the banyan trees had run through every corner and crevice. It took us 10 years to restore with help from amazing artisans hailing from Murshidabad, the old capital of Bengal and known for its craft. We never hired an interior designer or architect because we wanted to do everything organically.
I designed everything in a way as to maintain her integrity. Anything else would be like putting too much make-up on a lady. It never looks quite right. It’s our inner beauty that’s most honest and befitting. She’s 300 years old – she’s not trying to be a cheeky young babe. Whether it’s the old Italian marble, the Burmese teak floors or even the table lamp I made from an antique brass pot, the décor encapsulates a romantic period that stays true to the time it was built.
When it comes to the wide and varied food we offer, the highlight is of course Bengal’s amazing seafood. It’s superbly flavoured, especially the fish in banana leaf which I love. We also do a dish with tiny shrimp accompanied by a kind of spinach and a hint of mustard. It’s called potol bata chingris – absolutely superb.
We can orchestrate spectacular private dinners on our rooftop that overlooks the entire estate. Sometimes we bring our guests out to the paddy fields for breakfast. Come sunset we can take you out on a country-style boat onto the river where you might even see dolphins. It’s really quite lovely with musicians serenading you and sundowners in hand.
All I can say is, be prepared to have a great time.
Your journey will start with one of our UK team – someone like Malcolm, who's travelled extensively in India. They’ll shape your ideas into the trip of a lifetime. But they won't do it alone. They'll draw on the expertise of our contacts on the ground, connecting you to the people who'll make your holiday one you'll always remember.
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