The Haunting History of Brij Raj Bhavan Palace Heritage Hotel

History of Brij Raj Bhavan Palace

The colonial Brij Raj Bhavan Heritage Hotel is a historic palace that dates back to the 1830 to serve as a residence to British officials. It was built by the East India Company and called the Agency Bungalow initially.

The building was taken over by the Kota state in 1900 and the current Maharaja of Kota took over the building in 1956 and turned it into the hotel it is today together with his family.

The Indian Rebellion Comes to Kota

The Brij Raj Bhavan Heritage Hotel has a dark history that is steeped in violence and bloodshed. Many people believe that the ghosts of those who died in the palace still haunt its halls and corridors. One of the most famous ghost stories associated with the palace is that of Major Charles Burton, a British officer who was killed during the Indian Sepoy Mutiny of 1857.

**The Sepoy Mutiny**: Sparked by various grievances among Indian soldiers (sepoys) serving in the British East India Company’s army, the rebellion quickly spread across northern and central India. What began as a mutiny within the military ranks soon escalated into a widespread revolt against British authority, with civilians joining the cause. Although the rebellion was ultimately quelled by British forces, its legacy continues to resonate as a symbol of resistance and the fight for independence in India.

After being killed in the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857 at the Brij Raj Bhavan Palace Heritage Hotel many years ago, the ghost of the British Major is said to still haunt his old palace. — **The Sepoy Mutiny**: Sparked by various grievances among Indian soldiers (sepoys) serving in the British East India Company’s army, the rebellion quickly spread across northern and central India. What began as a mutiny within the military ranks soon escalated into a widespread revolt against British authority, with civilians joining the cause. Although the rebellion was ultimately quelled by British forces, its legacy continues to resonate as a symbol of resistance and the fight for independence in India.

He was of the 40th Bengal Native Infantry. He and his family had lived at the palace for 13 years with his wife, four sons and a teenage daughter. While staying at Neemuch with his entire family, the Indians had a mutiny and the Burton’s fled to a small fort of Jewud.

Discontent with the British had been brewing for a while, but rumors that the British was planning to convert Hindus and Muslims to Christians by mixing cows in flour and lace their weapons in cow and pork fat, fueled it into a full on mutiny.

However, the Maharaja of Kota told him to return and together with his two younger sons, Arthur of 21 and Francis of 19, he went back to Kota in December. It seemed peaceful and there were no signs of mutiny. Then he saw approaching riders and he thought his good friend the Maharaja had come to visit him.

But it wasn’t a friendly visit, it was a mutiny. A group of Indian soldiers broke in and attacked the palace. All of the servants left and it was only him, his sons and a camel-driver who were up against the troops. It was a 5 hour fight, before Burton started pleading for his son’s life against him.

Their pleas were not heard though and the soldiers found them in a room where they had taken refuge and killed them all. After the murder the dead bodies were given to the Maharaja of Kota and buried in the Kota cemetery. Although rumor has it that they were actually buried in the central hall of the palace.

Kota itself wasn’t retaken by the British until the following March and two years later, two of the leaders of the mutiny were found and hanged on the grounds of the mansion, seen as martyrs of the freedom movement in India.

The Haunting of the Brij Raj Bhavan Palace

According to legend it didn’t take long until the haunting began and Major Burton’s spirit still wanders the palace, dressed in his red coat and carrying a sword. Some guests have reported seeing him in the corridors, while others claim to have heard his footsteps in the dead of night.

It is said he is a harmless ghost despite how violent it all ended but is allegedly very strict about discipline inside the building. It is said he slaps guards that fall asleep while on duty. There are also those guards claiming they got a massive scolding from him when not guarding their post well enough while on duty.

The Ghost Inside the Room

During the 1930s, Iris Portal arrived in Kota with her family. Her father had been loaned by the Government of India to assist the Maharaja of Kota with a land settlement in the state. At the age of 17, she found herself spending the holiday at the Old Residency, which had been converted into a state guest house. Her assigned room was located on the first floor and had a distinctive layout, featuring four separate entrances, one of which led to an upstairs balcony, and two others connected to the roof.

Read more: Check out all of the Haunted Hotels around the world

This is the exact room where the Burtons had made a last-ditch stand. That particular night, although no apparitions were witnessed, was fraught with an eerie, bone-chilling sensation for Iris Portal, leaving her too frightened to sleep. The following day, she told her mother to move her to a different room.

It wasn’t until she returned to Delhi that Iris Portal discovered the haunting history of the Resident and his sons. In 1857, it was recounted that they had descended from the rooftops and met their tragic demise in the very room she had occupied during her stay at the Old Residency.

The Haunting in 1980s

The supposed haunting have been said to have gone on well into the 21st century. The crown Princess of Kota, Yuvrani was quoted in the British journalist, Ann Morrows book, The Maharajas of India:

“As far as we know, he (Major Burton) is an elderly man with white hair and a walking stick. I have seen him myself, because he was murdered in the first floor bedroom, which is now my study. The trouble with Major Burton is that he never goes off duty. He wanders around the palace and if he catches a servant asleep, gives him a quick slap on the cheek. He is the only restless soul around in summer, when it can be like furnace in Kota”

The question is, is the haunting at Brij Raj Bhavan heritage hotel still ongoing?

A Haunted Stay at The Brij Raj Bhavan Heritage Hotel

The Brij Raj Bhavan Heritage Hotel is a stunning palace that is steeped in a haunting history among its regal furniture and decor as well as the stunning terrace gardens. Despite its dark past, the palace has been converted into a luxurious hotel that attracts tourists from all over the world.

If you are brave enough to stay at the Brij Raj Bhavan Heritage Hotel, be prepared for a spooky experience, but also be prepared to be transported back in time to the opulent era of the Rajputs.