Ranjit Vilas Palace, Ratlam

Ranjit Vilas Palace, popularly called the Old Palace, was home to the royal family of Ratlam in Madhya Pradesh. Maharaja Ranjit Singh built it in 1880 and gave it his name, and it mixes Indian styles with Italian influence. Italian craftsmanship shows in the carvings on the floor, while the decoration used wallpaper from Europe and Belgian glass. It also had an elevator, the first in Ratlam and rare at the time.

Lokendra Singh, the last ruler, lived here until his death in 1991, and after his wife died in 1993 the state took over the palace. It has since housed government offices, been the subject of much litigation and suffered from encroachment by houses and shops. In 2011 it was the venue for rival coronations by claimants to the title. Plans to protect it, turn it into a heritage hotel or make it a museum have seen little progress.