JAMMU, Dec 05: The Mubarak Mandi Palace Complex is one of the architectural wonders and one of the oldest structures in Jammu.
As per the historians, this complex was built in 1824 and is among the well-preserved Heritage Site of Jammu & Kashmir which has the richness of over 150 years of culture and tradition. This palace was the royal residence of the Dogra Kings.
The Mubarak Mandi palace complex is located in the heart of the old walled city of Jammu. This palace was Maharajas’ main seat till 1925, when maharaja Hari Singh moved to the Hari Niwas Palace in the northern part of Jammu.
Overlooking the Tawi River, this complex presents an impressive fusion of architectural styles, combining elements of Rajasthani, Mughal, and European baroque influences.
The complex has multiple palaces, courtyards, and halls, including the notable Darbar Hall, Gol Ghar, Pink Palace, and Sheesh Mahal, each with unique features and functions.
Once the center of Dogra power and ceremonial gatherings, Mubarak Mandi now serves as a cultural landmark. A portion of the complex has been converted into the Dogra Art Museum, which houses a valuable collection of miniature paintings, royal artifacts, and manuscripts, showing insights into the region’s rich history.
The palace’s rooms and galleries were utilised for formal banquets and festivities. The Dogra Art Museum is located at the famous ‘Pink Hall’ and features an extensive collection of miniature arts and crafts in various styles from the region.
The miniatures are from the art institutions of the region around. It does, however, include a gold-painted set of bow-arrows, which belonged to the Mughal ruler Shah Jahan.
The pink hall comes from an area of the Mahal’s pink painted walls. The Gol-Ghar portion is located in the complex’s southern wing. It has four stories and looks out over the Tawi River, the Suryaputri.
However an earthquake in the mid-1980s destroyed it, leaving the structure in ruins.
The Sheesh Mahal is wholly composed of glass. The Dogra Art Museum is housed in the Pink Hall and houses paintings of Kangra, Jammu, and Basohli paintings.
It also features Mughal emperor Shah Jahan’s gold-painted bow and arrow. The pink hall is inspired by pink painted walls of the palace.
The prominent feature of this museum is Bhasoli’s Pahari miniature paintings, the most renowned of which are the ‘Rasmanjari’ paintings.
The museum includes a collection of 7216 historical artifacts. The Mubarak Mandi complex is an emblem of Jammu’s cultural and historical legacy and a prominent attraction for visitors to the region.
Some portions of the palace remain in ruins since the castle was burned more than 36 times.
The Palace Complex’s history as a vital location continues today. It houses various government offices and courts, totalling 76 in number, including one of the largest government establishments, the Royal Secretariat of Jammu. Thus, it is one of Jammu’s major administrative centres in the current scheme.
Amal Mahal, a part of Dogra rulers’ palace in Hari Palace, is a beautiful establishment converted into a museum and is a must-see site in Jammu.
It was built in the 19th century for Raja Amar Singh, King of Mewar, and houses some of the most spectacular royal artifacts.
A 120-kg gold throne, Kangra miniature paintings, a library with 25,000 antique volumes, and a significant collection of rare art are among the items on display. The palace is composed of red sandstone, and its style is reminiscent of the splendid French chateaus.
In 1862, a French architect designed the Amar Mahal Palace. It was not however, completed until the 1890s. The late Maharaja Hari Singh’s wife, Maharani Tara Devi, resided in this palace until she died in 1967. Her son Karan Singh and his wife Yasho Rajya Lakshmi turned the castle into a museum to house rare books and works of art.
The art collection comprises of art collections of Laxman Pai and MF Hussain, and other famous Indian painters. Another fascinating collection is the Pahari arts, especially the ones by Nal Damyanti, which try to depict stories from the Mahabharata and other legends.
