English: Pratap Vilas Palace Vadodara

The Palace is adorned by exquisite carvings and noted for its architectural grandeur highlighted with columns and arches. Carvings of creepers, flowers, leaves, birds and animals on the columns make the palace awesome.

It was named after the last ruler of Baroda State, Pratapsinh Rao Gaekwad. It’s construction started on 15 February 1908 & was completed on 30 July 1914, which was then furnished by 1918. It was designed by Charles F. Stevens, son of F.W. Stevens, a British Architect who designed famous Victoria Terminus of Bombay.

National Academy of Indian Railways (NAIR) also formerly known as Railway Staff College was initially founded in 1930 at Premnagar, Dehradun. It was shifted to the Pratap Vilas Palace at Lalbaug on 31st January 1952.

The Bombay Province had taken over these premises on lease on 31st January 1949 and given to Indian Railways for its use. Subsequently, the Railways purchased this building on 6th January 1964 at value of Rs 24,38,271.