Layers of lush green Aravalli hills as far as the eye can see… Endless bajra fields swaying with the wind and glistening lakes shining under the sun… Rare glimpses of peacocks dancing and buffaloes taking a lazy dip in the river! No, these are not scenes of a nature documentary on television. But a mention of some real-life experiences felt in Eastern Gujarat’s best-kept secret. Around 160 kms from Ahmedabad, on the banks of Suki River lies this gem of a yesteryear princely state – Santrampur.
Unlike many other erstwhile palaces of India, here one can get a glimpse of its royal history from none other than the Maharaja and Maharani of Santrampur. The kingdom of Santrampur was first carved by ruler Rana Sant in 1255 while his brother Limdev found the state of Kadana, now in present-day Gujarat.
Santrampur comprises of two townships, Sant and Rampur. While Rampur is the commercial town or the ‘city centre’, Sant was reserved for the palaces belonging to the royal family and their staff.
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Where MP, Rajasthan and Gujarat show its glimpses
For someone who has an undying urge to explore years of history and royal heritage in the form of age-old palaces and forts, Santrampur is an ideal weekend destination. Where else would you find three states strongly influencing one laidback princely state of the bygone era? Santrampur is located on the Gujarat border, with Rajasthan on its Northern side and Madhya Pradesh on its Eastern side, giving glimpses of all three states in its culture, cuisine and lifestyle.
from
via Lonely Planet India
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