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Nilaya x Royals: A collaboration of values with the Ahilya Fort Heritage Hotel

Ideas & Inspiration

By Geetika Sachdev

Feb 25, 2025

Ahilya Fort Heritage Hotel – Beautiful Homes

A sneak peek into the reimagined Narmada suite in Ahilya Fort Heritage Hotel, Maheshwar that has been refurbished with fine fabric from Sabyasachi for Nilaya by Asian Paints

The Ahilya Fort Heritage Hotel, located in the riverside town of Maheshwar, is set on the banks of the Narmada River. The boutique property was once a fort-palace and the bastion of the legendary Maratha ruler Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar, who lived and ruled from 1765 to 1796.

In the last two decades, her descendant Prince Richard, aka Shivajirao Holkar, has converted part of the royal home into a heritage hotel. The property, partly his residence today, affords modern amenities in line with 21st-century living. One of its most sought-after accommodations is the three-room Narmada suite, overlooking the expansive Narmada River and the surrounding countryside. In his words, there was no better way to give it a contemporary touch than using fine fabric from the Sabyasachi for Nilaya by Asian Paints range.

That's how the collaboration between the two forces came to life. “The Ahilya Fort Heritage Hotel has been a family home since the mid-18th century. In the last 20 years, it has been converted into a boutique hotel. All hotels need refurbishment and we decided to take up the Narmada suite,” says Richard.

White interior design – Beautiful Homes — The reimagined riverside Narmada Suite in the Ahilya Fort Heritage Hotel.

Something Old, Something Blue

Having heard of Sabyasachi’s Paris-Calcutta collection for Nilaya, Richard wanted to find something that fit the suite's aesthetic. “What we found most appealing was that the dominant shades in the collection complemented what we saw out of the window—the Narmada River and the wonderful shimmering of the light on the river,” adds Richard.

Cosy bedroom design – Beautiful Homes — The Ahilya Fort Heritage Hotel has collaborated with Sabyasachi for Nilaya by Asian Paints to elevate the Narmada suite with fine fabrics and wall coverings.

Simple wall design – Beautiful Homes — As the name suggests, the Narmada Suite offers tranquil views of the river Narmada.

Among the fabrics used, the pastel motifs of the Khadi Petit embroidery are showcased on the curtains, while the Vintage Kilim patterns on the cushion present a kaleidoscope of rich stories. Besides these, the floral Anardana print on the wall panels and the bedspread breathe new life into the suite.

Other fabrics used within the Narmada Suite include the Pantherius embroidery to layer shelves and door panels. The Napoleon stripe, inspired by the Breton stripe, also makes an appearance. It was made popular by the French ruler Napoleon and later adopted by creatives like Coco Chanel and Pablo Picasso.

A Shared Vision of Heritage and Craft

Preserving textile traditions and associated communities has been a mainstay of the Holkars. While Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar built infrastructure, created jobs and advanced women’s empowerment during her rule, Richard and his wife Sally aka Shalini Devi revived the Maheshwari handloom tradition through REHWA, a social enterprise established back in 1979.

Prince Richard, aka Shivajirao Holkar – Beautiful Homes — Richard Holkar aka ka Shivajirao Holkar, has converted part of the royal home into a heritage hotel.

Simple bedroom interior design - Beautiful Homes — The floral Anardana print on the wall panels and the bedspread, part of the Paris-Calcutta Chapter IV of the Sabyasachi for Nilaya by Asian Paints collection, breathe new life into the suite.

“The textiles designed by Sabyasachi Mukherjee for Nilaya by Asian Paints, too, reflects the support that our traditional artisans need, and they do so in contemporary ways,” he adds. For Richard, Nilaya x Royals is more than a partnership—it is a meeting ground for similar values. “At Ahilya Fort, we strongly uphold the heritage established by Devi Ahilya Bai. The values inculcated by her, such as enduring patronage of craftsmanship exemplified through her creation of the Maheshwari textile, are the cornerstones of the values we live by.”

The entire range of fine fabrics and wall coverings, including the Paris-Calcutta Chapter IV, the newest addition to the Sabyasachi for Nilaya by Asian Paints collection, can be found at select furnishing stores across India.

All images by @madebytruetype

Ahilya Fort Heritage Hotel – Beautiful Homes — The Ahilya Fort Heritage Hotel, located in the riverside town of Maheshwar, whispers stories of its antiquity past.

Cosy reading corner - Beautiful Homes — The most coveted Narmada Suite, within its premises, exudes old-world charm.

Simple bathroom interiors – Beautiful Homes — The suite has modern amenities in place for the comfort of its guests.

Sunset view at Narmada river - Beautiful Homes — The myriad hues of the sun reflecting in the waters of the holy Narmada.

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