Pataudi Palace is a grand and historic estate owned by the illustrious Pataudi family. The palace holds a special place in the hearts of the family and is a significant landmark in India. It was built by Iftikhar Ali Khan, a cricket legend and prince of Pataudi, and passed down to his son, Mansoor Ali Khan, who followed in his father’s footsteps in both cricket and royalty. Mansoor married Bollywood actress Sharmila Tagore, and their children—Saif Ali Khan, Soha Ali Khan, and Saba Ali Khan—grew up connected to the legacy of Pataudi Palace. In a recent interview, Soha Ali Khan shared fascinating details about the palace’s history and her personal connection to the property.
Speaking on the podcast Homerun with Housing.com, hosted by Cyrus Broacha, Soha delved into the origins of Pataudi Palace, providing insights into how the property came to be. She said how her grandfather, Iftikhar Ali Khan, fell in love with Princess Sajida Sultan of Bhopal. The actress explained, “My grandfather and my grandmother loved each other for many years, but my grandfather was not allowed to marry her. Her father, a competitive sportsman, was a little jealous of my grandfather’s talent in cricket, polo, etc., and wasn’t sure if he was the right match for her.”
Moreover, Soha added, Bhopal was a much wealthier state compared to Pataudi, “Pataudi was a collection of 40 villages compared to Bhopal, which was a wealthy state,” she added. Soha went on to reveal, “My grandfather built Pataudi Palace in 1935 so that he could marry the love of his life there and to impress his father-in-law.” Indeed, we can now say that Pataudi Palace also stands as a symbol of love, much like the Taj Mahal and other historic iconic structures which were built in the name of love.
Soha shared an amusing anecdote about the construction of Pataudi Palace. She revealed, “Halfway through building Pataudi Palace, my grandfather ran out of money. So when you visit, you’ll see lots of carpets covering marble floors, but underneath some of the carpets, where he couldn’t afford the marble, there’s just regular cement”. When the anchor asked what’s there now, she laughed and replied, “Still carpets”.
Today, Pataudi Palace has been passed down through generations, from Iftikhar Ali Khan to Mansoor Ali Khan, and now to Saif Ali Khan. The palace holds deep sentimental value for the family, who view themselves not as the owners but as caretakers of the historic property. Soha noted that her mother, Sharmila Tagore, is deeply committed to maintaining the palace, ensuring it remains in good condition with as little expense as possible.
When asked about the property’s potential value of Pataudi Palace, Soha made it clear that it was not a property to be sold. She emphasized that the palace will never be up for sale and that it represents more than just a valuable estate.
