Qila Mubarak
TypeRoyal palace of Patiala State
LocationPatiala, Punjab, India

Qila Mubarak is a fortress of Sikh architecture in Patiala, Punjab, India.[1]

History

Mural painting of Maharaja Karam Singh in the Audience Hall of Qila Mubarak, Patiala

Qila Mubarak was first built as a 'Kachigarhi' (Mud fortress) by Sidhu Jat ruler Baba Ala Singh in 1763,[2] who was the founder of the Patiala dynasty. Later, it was reconstructed in baked bricks. It is said that the original fort created in 1763 was an extension built on top of an already existing Mughal fortress built by governor Hussain Khan in Patiala. The interior portion of Qila, which is known as Qila Androon is built by Maharaja Amar Singh.[3]

Quila Mubarak complex

The residential palace of Royal family of Patiala, Qila Mubarak complex is built in 10-acre (40,000 m2) ground in the Heart of the city. The whole complex contains Ran Baas (Guest house) and the Darbar Hall (Divan Khana)[4] besides Qila Androon. There is also underground sewerage system in the Qila.[5]

Quila Androon

Qila Androon has 13 royal chambers with scenes from Hindu mythology painted in the Patiala art style.[6]

Museum of Armoury & Chandelier

The Darbar Hall contains rare cannons, swords, shields and maces, daggers of Guru Gobind Singh, and sword of Nadir Shah.[7]

Restoration work

Being a 300-year-old building,[8] the Qila is described as being in 'bad shape'[9] and has been extensively damaged.[10] The fortress is described by the World Monuments Fund as one of world’s 100 "most endangered monuments" in year 2004.[8]

Restoration work of Qila has been undertaken by Indian National Trust for Arts and Cultural Heritage, which has been financially assisted by the state and national governments[11] Archaeological Survey of India.[12] The World Monuments Watch has also funded its preservation.[13][14][15]

References

  1. ^ 4 heritage sites find saviour in Monument Fund
  2. ^ "The Patiala City". Archived from the original on 18 January 2010. Retrieved 25 March 2010.
  3. ^ The Sunday Tribune - Spectrum - Lead Article
  4. ^ "Welcome to Official Web site of Punjab, India". Archived from the original on 28 July 2010. Retrieved 25 March 2010.
  5. ^ "Welcome to Official Web site of Punjab, India". Archived from the original on 2 August 2009. Retrieved 25 March 2010.
  6. ^ Mighty edifice : Simply Punjabi - India Today
  7. ^ "Welcome to Official Web site of Punjab, India". Archived from the original on 10 April 2010. Retrieved 25 March 2010.
  8. ^ a b The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Nation
  9. ^ India Today
  10. ^ "World Monuments Fund". Archived from the original on 11 April 2010. Retrieved 25 March 2010.
  11. ^ The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Punjab
  12. ^ The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Punjab
  13. ^ Madra, Amandeep (27 March 2006). "Patiala fort to regain regal bearing". UK Punjab Heritage Association. Retrieved 20 March 2018.
  14. ^ "Patiala's Qila Mubarak rises to former glory with Panorama Punjab festival". Architectural Design | Interior Design | Home Decoration Magazine | AD India. 11 January 2018. Retrieved 30 December 2018.
  15. ^ Sirhindi, Manish (30 April 2017). "The dust settles at Qila Mubarak - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 30 December 2018.

External links

Forts in India
Categories