Qila Mubarak, Patiala

The colorful and exuberant state of Punjab, the hot seat of India's cultural extravaganzas is opulent in grand palaces and majestic forts. Of the innumerable palaces and forts, the state boasts of, the Qila Mubarak Patiala, undoubtedly holds a special place.

The erstwhile residence of the famed Patiala dynasty, the Qila Mubarak Patiala is a rampart fort cum palace, surrounded by crenellated walls, battlements and turrets. The fortification however does not in any way diminish the beauty or the imperial grandeur of the palace.

The palace was built under the benevolent auspices of Maharaja Ala Singh in 1764. During its days of inception, Qila Mubark was merely a kuch-garhi of a mud fort that was later renovated into a rambling two-storied mansion with an imposing entrance with intricate arches. A large part of the fort however has been converted into a heritage museum.

The residential part of the palace that was inhabited by the royal members of the Patiala dynasty was known as the Qila Androon or the Inner Fort. Elegant living chambers for the royal prisoners aptly named the Jail Walla Palace accompany them. Besides the Moti Palace and Sheesh Palace, the Rajmata Palace, the Palace of Colors and the Palace of the Moon are the other eminent apartments the lavishly furnished and elegantly decorated palatial apartments.

Other auxiliary buildings like the Putli (Puppet) Ghar and Bagh Ghar or the Garden House with vibrantly colored rooms also deserve special mention and are attractive tourist haunts. A unique feature of the palace is its excellent planning and modern architecture. An underground sewage system and a cool basement that blows wafts of a refreshing cool breeze through a tunnel depict the detailed planning behind the construction of the palace. Lassi Khana, the palace kitchen used to serve gastronomic delights to feed 35,000 mouths of all ranks everyday.

Last Updated on 14 January 2011