A royal art collection
Housed in a building within the Laxmi Vilas Palace estate — originally built as a school for the Maharaja’s children — the Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum displays the Gaekwad family’s private art collection. Its galleries hold European oil paintings, Chinese and Japanese art, Greco-Roman exhibits, marble statuary and, most celebrated of all, a remarkable set of works by Raja Ravi Varma, the great Indian painter, commissioned by the Baroda court.
The collection reflects the cosmopolitan, art-loving taste of the Gaekwad rulers. A quieter counterpart to the palace itself, the museum is a treat for art lovers. Entry is by ticket, separate from the palace, and the setting within the royal grounds adds to the sense of stepping into a private world of Baroda’s princely culture.
Within the Laxmi Vilas Palace estate — a royal art collection.
Ravi Varma canvases in a palace school
The Gaekwad collection, set within Laxmi Vilas grounds, Vadodara.
Set within Laxmi Vilas grounds.
Originally for the royal children.
Celebrated court commissions.
A museum of royal art.
Reasons to make the time
Ravi Varma
Celebrated paintings.
European art
Oils & statuary.
Asian art
Chinese & Japanese.
Palace estate
A royal setting.
Gaekwad taste
Cosmopolitan.
Quiet gallery
A calm treat.
What to look for inside
THE ARTRavi Varma
Court paintings.
THE SETTINGPalace estate
A royal gallery.
EUROPEANEuropean art
Oils & statuary.
ASIANAsian art
Chinese & Japanese.
BUILDINGThe old school
Built for royal children.
TASTEGaekwad taste
Cosmopolitan Baroda.
How to spend an hour or two
See the Ravi Varma works
The court paintings — a remarkable set commissioned from the great Indian painter Raja Ravi Varma.
View European art
European oil paintings, marble statuary and Greco-Roman exhibits from the Gaekwad collection.
Explore Asian art
Chinese and Japanese pieces that reflect the cosmopolitan taste of the Baroda court.
Pair with the palace
The museum sits right alongside Laxmi Vilas Palace — see both on the same visit.
Admire the building
The gallery occupies the old school built for the Maharaja's children within the estate.
Sense the royal taste
Take in the art-loving, cosmopolitan spirit of the Gaekwad rulers of Baroda.
The Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum, within the Laxmi Vilas Palace estate.
A gallery of royal art
The Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum, within the Laxmi Vilas Palace estate, displays the Gaekwads’ private collection — European, Chinese and Japanese art, statuary, and a celebrated set of Raja Ravi Varma paintings. A quieter, art-rich counterpart to the palace, it occupies a building originally raised as a school for the royal children.
Entry is by ticket, separate from the palace itself. The setting within the royal grounds — gardens, drives and the great palace nearby — makes the museum feel like a private wing of a princely world, rewarding for anyone who loves art and heritage alike.
For everything else the district holds, see our Vadodara travel guide.
It is one of many — our guide to museums and palaces in Gujarat covers the rest.
Within the palace estate
Celebrated Ravi Varma works
European & Asian art
The Gaekwad collection
When to go
Cool and pleasant — the ideal season. Comfortable all day and perfect for combining the museum with Vadodara's palaces and gardens.
Green and atmospheric after rain. Showers are short and the grounds around the palace look their best.
Hot and dry — start early. Still doable, but visit in the cooler part of the day.
⏰ Visit in the cooler months and combine it with Vadodara's palaces and gardens nearby.
Timings & entry
- Open Tue–Sun, daytime
- Within the palace grounds
- Photography may be limited
- Allow about an hour
- A museum entry ticket
- Separate from the palace
- Respect it as a royal museum
- Closed on Mondays
Getting there
By Air
Vadodara airport sits about 9 km away, with domestic flights and easy cab connections into the city.
By Rail
Vadodara Junction is one of Gujarat's major railway stations, well connected across India and close to the palace grounds.
By Road
The museum is central, in and around Vadodara — reachable easily by auto, taxi or app-cab from anywhere in the city.
At Fateh Singh Museum
ART & ROYALTY
A royal art collection
What to shoot
The building (where allowed) and its setting within the royal palace grounds.
Inside
Galleries, if permitted — check the rules before photographing the artworks.
Setting
Palace estate — the museum sits amid Laxmi Vilas Palace's grounds and drives.
Best light
The facade by day, when the palace estate is at its most photogenic.
Know before you go
More to see close by
Kirti Mandir
The Gaekwad family’s memorial temple
LAKESursagar Lake
A city lake crowned by a towering Shiva statue
HERITAGEMS University
India’s famed Faculty of Fine Arts campus
GALLERYBaroda Museum
Art & picture gallery in Sayaji Baug
STEPWELLNavlakhi Vav
A grand stepwell within the palace grounds
Garba Nights
Nine autumn nights when Vadodara becomes the largest participatory dance floor in the world, from the…
Where to eat near Fateh Singh Museum
THALIGujarati Thali
Sweet-savoury full meals.
FARSANSev usal
Baroda's spicy snack.
STREETLilo chevdo
Famous Baroda street food.
Foodie city
Famous for sev usal, lilo chevdo & farsan.
Fateh Singh Museum FAQ
What is Fateh Singh Museum?
Housed in a building within the Laxmi Vilas Palace estate — originally built as a school for the Maharaja's children — the Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum displays the Gaekwad family's private art collection. Its galleries hold European oil paintings, Chinese and Japanese art, Greco-Roman exhibits, marble statuary and, most celebrated of all, a remarkable set of works by Raja Ravi Varma, the great Indian painter, commissioned by the Baroda court.
Where is it?
Laxmi Vilas Palace grounds, Vadodara.
Is there an entry fee?
Entry by ticket.
When should I visit?
October to March, in the cooler season.
What's nearby?
Vadodara's palaces, gardens and Champaner.
How long does it take?
About an hour.
Related places across Gujarat
QUIETChorwad Beach
A former royal seaside retreat
SHRINEAkshar Deri
A holy Swaminarayan memorial at Gadhada
HERITAGESardar Patel Memorial
The Iron Man’s home at Karamsad
SPIRITUALSudama Mandir
Dedicated to Krishna’s beloved friend Sudama
HISTORICDahod Town
Birthplace of emperor Aurangzeb
Chintamani Jain Temple
Centuries-old temple with fine wood carving
WHERE TO STAY
Find your stay in Gujarat
Compare live prices across the big booking sites and reserve in a few taps. Booking happens securely on the partner's site — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Book directly on our partner sites — tap a provider to see live Gujarat hotels & prices:
SHOP THE REGION
Bring home Gujarat — & travel essentials
Hand-picked crafts and trip gear, available on Amazon.
Published 24 June 2026 · Updated 24 August 2026