Samudra Palace
| Samudra Palace | |
|---|---|
Sanyukti: समुद्र राजवाडा | |
 Sea view of Samudra Palace | |
| General information | |
| Type | Royal residence with military fortificationss |
| Architectural style | Classical Rajana |
| Classification | Royal Residence |
| Town or city | Kinadica |
| Country | Rajyaghar |
| Current tenants | Krishan VII |
| Named for | Location |
| Groundbreaking | 1060 |
| Completed | 1376 |
| Owner | Monarchy of Rajyaghar |
Samudra Palace is a historic fortress-palace located in the capital city of Kinadica, Rajyaghar. Construction of the Palace began in the 1060s during the height of the Parivartana by order of Maharaja Shivaji I of the Rajana Dynasty. The palace took over 300 hundred years to be constructed with the plans constantly being changed by subsequent heads of the Rajana Dynasty. The Palace was constructed on the grounds of the ancient ruins of Kinadica Fortress which had been demolished by order of Shivaji I in order to make room for the new Palace.
The Palace can be split into two sections; the residential quarters and the military section. The residential quarters are the palatial aspect of the palace and occupy the sea-facing facade and central aspect of the palace whilst the military sections form the land-based perimeter of the palace. As a result, the view from the sea is that of a palace with ornate decorations and numerous balconies whereas the view from the land is that of an impregnable fortress with intimidating walls. The palatial aspect is built in a flamboyant style consistent with other Rajana Dynasty palaces across Sanyukt.
The palace is located on the shore of the Achelion Sea in the area of Kinadica known as the Ancient City.
History
Shivaji I started construction in 1060 and wanted to create a palace on the sea which would also be able to double as a fortress. Shivaji I wanted to create an awe-inspiring citadel for the Rajana Dynasty, much like the Lalatekadi Fort was before the fall of Kismat in 800 when his family had to flee the ancient city to Kinadica. When they arrived in Kinadica in 800 CE, they had to defend the city from the Mirza Sultanate which had chased them from Kismat. After the eventual defeat of the Mirza Sultanate and collapse of the Rajana Dynasty into minor kingdoms in 815 CE, Maharaja Pratam III founded the new Sanyukti Confederacy and inaugurated the ancient city of Kinadica as the capital. Until Shivaji I, the ruined Kinadica Fortresss would serve as the seat of power until Shivaji I ordered its destruction and in its place ordered the construction of Samudra Palace.
Current Use
Since independence in 1935, the Palace has no longer served as the official residence and workplace of the Maharaja, being replaced by the Royal Palace of Kinadica. However, the Palace is still used over the weekends as a royal residence by the Maharaja due to its closeness to the Royal Palace. The extended royal family often join the Maharaja over the weekend at Samudra Palace. During the waning months of The Emergency when riots erupted across Kinadica, Maharani Shakti III moved to Samudra Palace for increased protection and to distance herself from the politically motivated riots occupying the capital's Government Hill district.