Inside the 131-year-old Kathiwada Raaj Mahal’s sustainable luxury
The Kathiwada Raaj Mahal in Madhya Pradesh is a 131-year-old heritage property that has been restored to blend historical architecture with modern sustainable luxury. Custodian Ranasaheb Digvijaysinh Kathiwada aims to preserve the estate as a living legacy that supports community development and tourism.
Why it matters
It highlights the evolving role of heritage properties in India, moving from static museums to active, sustainable contributors to local culture and tourism.
Nestled in the rolling Vindhya hills of western Madhya Pradesh, Kathiwada Raaj Mahal is not just a magnificent residence – it is a living testimony to nearly six centuries of history. The property was part of the erstwhile Kathiwada Principality, with a lineage dating back to 1434, beautifully capturing the grandeur of India’s royal past, while embracing a vision for a sustainable future.At the heart of this remarkable heritage property is Ranasaheb Digvijaysinh Kathiwada, the custodian of the estate and a development-minded leader who has devoted himself to preserving its legacy and making sure it remains relevant in the 21st century. Anointed Ranasaheb in 2010, he’s a new generation of royal custodians who sees heritage not as something to be frozen in time, but as a living legacy that can inspire education, culture, community development and sustainable tourism.
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