The History of Sukhdham
Sukhdham’s story unfolds against the backdrop of 19th-century India- a time marking political transitions, shifting powers, and evolving cultural life.
Origin: A Colonial Residence (c. 1870)
In the aftermath of the 1857 uprising, Sukhdham was built circa 1870 as the official residence of the British Agency Surgeon in Kotah. Designed as a functional home for surgeons,Sukhdham reflected the Anglo-Indian architectural sensibilities of its time, well-adapted to the climate, landscape, and everyday living.
For over five decades, Sukhdham housed a succession of British doctors, quietly serving its role within the administrative life of the Kotah State.
From Colonial to Princely Custodianship (1922)
In 1922, Sukhdham Kothi was formally handed over to the Kotah State, marking a significant transition in its identity. It was during this period that His Highness Maharao Umed Singhji, Maharao of Kotah, named it “Sukhdham”- The Abode of Bliss.
This name reflected the sense of tranquillity, dignity and continuity.
An Officer’s Home: Col. Th. Prithvi Singhji (1929–1960)
In 1929, Sukhdham became the residence of Colonel Thakur Prithvi Singhji, MBE, then GOC of the Kotah State Forces. A distinguished officer, he was the second individual from Rajasthan to receive the King’s Commission and served with distinction in the First World War.
A Cultural Legacy: Thakur Jaswant Singhji
Colonel Prithvi Singhji’s son, Thakur Jaswant Singhji, continued Sukhdham’s legacy through scholarship and cultural preservation. A member of the Indian Railway Traffic Service (1938-1972), he was deeply devoted to music and history.
His three-volume collection of songs and ballads of princely Rajasthan, complete with musical notations, earned the Dagar Gharana Award and gained national recognition among practitioners of Indian classical music.
Through his work, Sukhdham emerged as a centre of cultural continuity.
From Residence to Heritage Stay (1996)
In 1996, the next generation- Jaiwardhan Singh and Harshvardhan Singh– made the considered decision to transform Sukhdham into a heritage home, allowing Sukhdham to carry its legacy forward through hospitality.
Sukdham Kothi Today
Today, Sukhdham stands as a living continuum of history – having evolved through colonial administration, royal stewardship, military service, and thoughtful hospitality.
We invite you to experience this history and live within it, while we host you with the care and respect of Atithi Devo Bhava– where the guest is regarded as divine.