Qila Mubarak, Patiala Explained

Qila Mubarak
Native Name:Fort of Baba Ala Singh
Type:Royal palace of Patiala State
Location:Patiala, Punjab, India

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

History

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 10acres 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.

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]

External links

Notes and References

  1. http://www.indianexpress.com/oldStory/36639/ 4 heritage sites find saviour in Monument Fund
  2. Web site: The Patiala City . 25 March 2010 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100118160501/http://www.punjabiuniversity.ac.in/pages/forensicseminar/patiala.htm . 18 January 2010 .
  3. http://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20030223/spectrum/patiala.htm The Sunday Tribune - Spectrum - Lead Article
  4. Web site: Welcome to Official Web site of Punjab, India . 25 March 2010 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100728091755/http://punjabgovt.nic.in/tourism/Patiala.htm . 28 July 2010 .
  5. Web site: Welcome to Official Web site of Punjab, India . 25 March 2010 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090802204238/http://punjabgovt.nic.in/tourism/PalacesofPunjab.htm . 2 August 2009 .
  6. http://indiatoday.intoday.in/site/Story/23525/Simply%20Punjabi/Mighty+edifice.html Mighty edifice : Simply Punjabi - India Today
  7. Web site: Welcome to Official Web site of Punjab, India . 25 March 2010 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100410202932/http://punjabgovt.nic.in/Culture/Museums.htm . 10 April 2010 .
  8. http://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20031203/nation.htm#5 The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Nation
  9. http://www.indiatoday.com/itoday/20031110/heritage.shtml India Today
  10. Web site: World Monuments Fund . 25 March 2010 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100411210559/http://www.wmf.org/field/full-project-list . 11 April 2010 .
  11. http://www.tribuneindia.com/2004/20040220/punjab1.htm The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Punjab
  12. http://www.tribuneindia.com/2010/20100215/punjab.htm#10 The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Punjab
  13. Web site: Patiala fort to regain regal bearing . Amandeep . Madra . 27 March 2006 . UK Punjab Heritage Association . 20 March 2018 .
  14. Web site: Patiala's Qila Mubarak rises to former glory with Panorama Punjab festival. 2018-01-11. Architectural Design Interior Design Home Decoration Magazine AD India. en-US. 2018-12-30.
  15. Web site: The dust settles at Qila Mubarak - Times of India. Sirhindi. Manish. 2017-04-30. The Times of India. 2018-12-30.