THE PALACE OF MAHARAJA GOPAL

Karauli, the ancient Kalyanpuri, situated on the left bank of river Bhadravati, is said to have been founded in circa A.D. 1348 by Raja Arjun Dev of the Yadava dynasty.  It was named so after the temple of Kalyanji.  The Purani Rawal, being the earliest part in the north-west corner of the palace was built by Arjun Dev.  Later rulers added few other structures, but it was Maharaj Gopal Singh who built in the eighteenth century Gopal Mandir, Ámkhas, Tripolia gate and Nakkarkhana and got them beautifully painted. The colours used in these mural paintings are blue, brown, yellow, purple, golden and white.  The themes of the paintings comprise palace scenes, sports, hunting of lion, geometrical and floral designs.  The religious scenes include figures of Ganesa, Shiva-Parvati, Kela Devi, Narsimha, Badrinath, Hayagriva, Ganga and Yamuna, etc.