Patialas Heritage: Remembering Qila Mubarak

Patiala is the youngest city at the southeastern district of Punjab

. It is rich in architectural and cultural sites of gardens and palaces. It has something that keeps the old world charm of the city like the Qila Mubarak. The city is about 29 km west of Ambala.

Quila Mubarak lies in 10 acres of ground that sits on a raised mountain. It is among the oldest palaces and the original fort complex in Patiala. It was established during 1763 AD by Baba Ala Singh. He is the founder of the Patiala dynasty. The palace was reconstructed in baked bricks and was completed by Maharaja Amar Singh in 1781.

Quila Mubarak houses the main buildings and places of its rulers like Maharaja Sahib Singh, Maharaja Karam Singh and Maharaja Narinder Singh. This structure was originally a mud fort and later made into a double storey structure. Qila is headed by Quila Chowk and the three major commercial backbones such as Bajaja Bazaar, Gur Mandi and Shah Nashin Bazaar.

The fort has two painted chambers that illustrate the history of Hindu mythology and Sikh guru's portraits. The two portions are called the Quila Androon (inner fort) and the Qila Mubarak (outer fort). The gate is made of lime plaster with multiple arched openings of symmetrical and flowery designs. Quila Androon can be entered through its northern front wall along the central axis. The entire place is quadrilateral.

Qila Mubarak Complex includes an array of buildings of Quila Androon, Darbar Hall, Ran Basa, Sard Khana, Jalau Khana as well as the Quila Murabak gateway (the only entrance to Quila Mubarak). It was also classified under a number of courtyards or palaces. It is located along the central, eastern and western axis. The west axis is residential in nature, the east axis is for public use and the central and east axis houses the jvot (sacred flame), a gurdwara and a temple.

The first court at Androon Gateway is Rang Mahal. It is a painted chamber with the size of an alcove. The seating space is meant for the king. The place appears to be the public court of the city.

Following Rang Mahal is the Sheesh Mahal. It serves as the center of Quila. This court also has painted rooms at the ground floor. It has two rooms separated by two bays of arches as well as symmetrical plan with a central fountain. The first floor has numerous rooms that lead to the Rang Mahal courtyard. Another feature is the absence of a pavilion as a royalty seat. Sheesh Mahals themed paintings are from Krishnas life.

Other apartments here include the Jail Walla Palace, Palace of Colors, Moti Palace, and the Palace of Moon. Quila Mubarak is also composed of two buildings made for different activities, namely the Putli Ghar and Bagh Ghar. However, Lassi Khana is the name of the royal kitchen. The fort was converted into a museum of famous weapons and chandeliers. It has an underground sewerage system connected with a tunnel from the basement.

The materials used, finishes and geometric patterns of the courtyards symbolize the cultural plurality of the Patiala region. Qila Mubarak became the National Monument of India with over 1900 years of existence. Some structures stand still and is a primitive form that dates back to the period of Harrapa.

The fort was been proposed to repair and restore its physical site. It was been suggested by the team of Akal Society of America after conducting two years of surveying.

by: David Urmann

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