The Journal
Named for Kings: The Princely-State Coaches of the Palace on Wheels
A train of many kingdoms
Step aboard the Palace on Wheels and you are not simply boarding a train — you are boarding a procession of former kingdoms. Each of the train's 14 air-conditioned coaches is named after a former princely state of Rajputana and decorated in that state's colours, crests and craft traditions, so a walk down the corridor is a journey through royal Rajasthan itself.
Living heritage, cabin by cabin
The names run right through the accommodation: the Bharatpur coach houses the Super Deluxe cabins and the Jhalawar coach the Suites, while the 36 Deluxe cabins are spread across a dozen coaches named for Rajasthani cities and states. Inside you'll find hand-carved wood, silk furnishings, antique-style mirrors and plush carpeting — the workmanship of a princely age recreated for modern comfort.
Why it matters
This theme is what sets the Palace on Wheels apart from newer, more uniform luxury trains. It descends directly from the private saloon carriages once kept by India's Maharajas, Nizams and viceroys — the very inspiration for the train when it launched in 1982.
See it for yourself
The best way to appreciate the coaches is to wander them between cities, cocktail in hand. Explore the train, its cabins and suites, and the full itinerary.