Qila
Mubarak Complex
The Qila Mubarak complex stands in 10-acre ground in the heart of
the city, and contains the main palace or Qila Androon (literally,'inner
fort'), the guesthouse or Ran Baas and the Darbar Hall. Outside the Qila
are the Darshani Gate, a Shiva temple, and bazaar shops which border the
streets that run around the Qila and sell precious ornaments, colorful
hand-woven fabrics, ‘jootis’ and bright ‘Parandis’.
Ran Mahal and Sheesh
Mahal
The two mahals contain a large no. of frescoes, most of which were
made under Maharaja Narender Singh. Within the Qila Mubarak are 16
painted and mirror-worked chambers. For instance, the Darbar room is
illustrated with Vishnu avatars and stories of courage or generosity,
the ladies' chamber with illustrations from famous romantic epics, and
two other chambers with illustrations of the qualities of a good or bad
king. The frescoes, among the finest painted in India in the second half
of the 19th century are evidently the work of artists from Rajasthani,
Pahari and Avadhi traditions.
Darbar Hall (Divan
Khana)
Used for large audiences and important public occasions, the Darbar
has been converted into a museum displaying dazzling chandeliers and
armor, including the sword and dagger of Guru Gobind Singh and Nadir
Shah's sword. The hall was built on a high plinth over a network of
tunnels which were service conduits. The facade gives the impression of
a double-storey building, with 'upper storey' windows and a balcony at
the first floor level, but the delicately worked wood-and-glass doors
open into a huge 15m-high chamber. At the far end is a raised platform,
where the Maharaja sat . The wooden frame work of the ceiling holds
decorated Plaster-of Paris tiles painted in Arabic style and the ceiling
is hung with a fabled collection of chandeliers.
Moti Bagh Palace
Started during the reign of Maharaja Narinder Singh,it was completed
under Maharaja Bhupinder Singh in the early 20th century. The Old Moti
Bagh Palace now houses the National Institute for Sports. The facade has
Rajasthan-style jharokas and chhatris, and the palace is set in a
beautiful garden with terraces, water channels and a Sheesh Mahal.
Lehman
Jhoola
Across the small Lake in front of Sheesh Mahal is a magnificent
suspension bridge which being a replica of the famous Lakshman Jhoola at
Rishikesh, is also named as Lachman Jhoola. It links the Sheesh Mahal
with the Banasar Ghar on the other side of the lake. The Banasar Ghar
now houses the North Zone Cultural Center and a hall for setting up
exhibitions.
Rajindera Kothi
Rajindera Kothi: Set in the heart of the Baradari Gardens, this late
19th Century Palace built in colonial style by Maharaja Rajindra Singh
till recently housed Punjab States Archives. PUDA is planning to exploit
this building as a potential Heritage Hotel.
Gurudwara
Dukhniwaran Sahib
The villagers of Lehal donated land for the modest Gurudwara built
on this elevated site, said to have been visited by Guru Teg Bahadur.
The legend is that anyone who prays at this Gurudwara is relieved of his
suffering ('dukhniwaran'). A new bigger building is now being
constructed.