7 Wonders of India: Cooch Behar Palace

The Cooch Behar Palace is situated in West Bengal. Built in bricks in the classical Western style, this double-storeyed structure covers an area of 51,309 sq ft. The Palace is fronted by a series of arcaded verandahs in the ground and first floors with their piers arranged in an alternate use of single and double rows. It is slightly projected at the south and northern ends and in the centre there is a projected porch to provide an entrance to the Durbar Hall. The elegantly shaped metal dome of the Durbar Hall is topped by a cylindrical louver type ventilator recalling the style of the Italian Renaissance. It contains more than 50 massive halls. It was built in 1887 by the Koch King, Maharaja Nripendra Narayan. The rooms deserve special attention for their beautiful royal paintings that adorn the ceiling as well as the interior wall.