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Darbar Mahal

Coordinates: 29°23′50″N 71°41′59″E / 29.3972°N 71.6998°E / 29.3972; 71.6998
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Darbar Mahal
دربار محل
Darbar Mahal was built in 1905
Map
General information
Architectural styleIndo-Sikh architecture
Town or cityBahawalpur
CountryPakistanPakistan
Coordinates29°23′50″N 71°41′59″E / 29.3972°N 71.6998°E / 29.3972; 71.6998
Completed1905
Technical details
Size44,600 square feet (4,140 m2)
Design and construction
Architect(s)Udham Singh Lyallpur Wala

Darbar Mahal is a palace in Bahawalpur, Pakistan.[1] The building was built to hold courtly events and government offices of the former princely state of Bahawalpur.[2] The palace sits in a 75-acre (30 ha) garden.[3] The entire palace complex was leased to the armed forces beginning in 1966.[4] It currently serves as the Headquarters of 35 Infantry Division of Pakistan Army and not open to the general public.[5]

History

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The palace was built by Bahawal Khan V.[5] It was completed in 1905, and is near several other palaces within the Bahawalgarh Palace Complex, including the Nishat Mahal, Farrukh Mahal and Gulzar Mahal.[5][2] Initially christened Mubarak Mahal, it not only offered a royal dwelling but also facilitated courtly events and administrative activities for the princely state of Bahawalpur.[2][6]

Architecture

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It is built in Sikh-Arabic architecture style which combines local, Sikh, and Arabic influences.[6][3]

The exterior has intricate carvings, fretwork, and stucco work. Each side of the building features a large entranceway and jharoka balconies.[2] Constructed primarily from red bricks, the palace features a distinctive blend of red and white hues, with the latter accentuating the roofline and windows, while the former defines the exterior walls.[6] The edifice stands out with its four interconnected domes, spacious interiors adorned with over 80 windows reflecting ancient Islamic traditions of the 14th century.[6] The building's third floor is a Mughal-style chattri roof with each of its corners having a highly-stylized octagonal turret with Sikh-style domes.[2] The interior of the palace is decorated with priceless paintings of the 19th century, traditional jewelry, ornaments, swords of the Nawab family.[6] Lavish furnishings, rich carpets, and velvet curtains enhance its regal ambiance, along with ceramic-tiled archways and large lamps that augment the palace's grandeur.[6]

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  • The building illuminated at night
    The building illuminated at night
  • The Darbar Mahal Mosque
    The Darbar Mahal Mosque
  • Interior ceiling
    Interior ceiling

References

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  1. ^ "Darbar Mahal keeps 'Princely State' alive". Archived from the original on 31 December 2018. Retrieved 27 December 2017.
  2. ^ a b c d e Vandal, Sajida (2011). "Cultural Expressions of South Punjab" (PDF). UNESCO. Archived (PDF) from the original on 14 May 2012. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
  3. ^ a b "A century later, Bahawalpur's Darbar Mahal stands tall". The Express Tribune. 21 April 2017. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
  4. ^ The Herald. Pakistan Herald Publications. 2012.
  5. ^ a b c "A century later, Bahawalpur's Darbar Mahal stands tall". The Express Tribune. 21 April 2017.
  6. ^ a b c d e f "Darbar Mahal". doam.gov.pk.
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