| Govindgarh
Fort Amritsar |
| early
19th century designed by Maharaja Ranjit Singh.Has special defence mechanism against
artillery attacks, which were frequent when Punjab was still open to depredations
of the Afghan hordes. Being with paramilitary forces it is not open to visitors
now. |
| Bathinda
Fort |
| Schooner
shaped fort stands like a ship in a sea of sand; design eminently suited to the
desert environment; is reputed to be 1800 years old. It is said to have
been built by Bhatti Reo. In 1754 AD it was captured by Maharaj Ala Singh
of Patiala. A small gurdwara commemorates the visit of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji
here.
|
| Faridkot
Fort |
| 30
Km south of Ferozepur. Reputed to be 700 years old, noteworthy for the hall
of mirrors and wall paintings called Sheesh Mahals these halls of mirrors were
copied in Rajasthan style and were actually the prayer rooms of the ruling family.
|
| Qila
Mubark Patiala |
| Founded
in1764 by Maharaja Ala Singh. It was originally a kuchi-garhi of a mud fort which
was later raised into a sprawling double storied structure with a massive gate
having beautiful arches. The best part of the fort is a museum now. |
| Bhadurgarh
Fort |
|
6 kms from Patiala, originally founded by Nawab Saif Khan in 1658. The present
fort was built by Maharaja Karam Singh of Patiala in 1837. It has two circular
ramparts and is surrounded by a moat and covers an area of 2100 sq meters. This
rather compact but nicely designed citadil is in the custody of the Department
of police. |
| Anandpur
Sahib Fort, Ropar |
| Anandpur
Sahib was defended by fiveforts. They have all become victims of the ravages of
war and time. The central fort Anandgarh Sahib is still extant in parts. Its highlight
is the deep well approached by a flight of stairs. |
| Phillaur
Fort, Ludhiana |
| was
designed by Dewan Mohkam Chand,the brave general of Maharaja Ranjit Singh facing
the, then, British border along Ludhiana.it is police training centre now.
|
| Shahpur
Kandi Fort |
| 7
Km from Pathankot: This 16th century fort nestles at the foot of the towering
Himalayas and overlooks the river Ravi. Is a comfortable rest-house now.
|
| Summer
Palace of Maharaja Ranjit Singh (1780-1838 AD) , AMRITSAR |
| It was
constructed under the supervision of Fakir Azeez-ud-din and Sardars Lehna Singh
and Desa Singh Majithia, nobles of the Lahore Darbar at a cost of Nanak Shahi
Rs. 1,25,000/- Originally, laid in a garden spreading across 84 acres of rare
plants, trees and flowers, surrounded by a boundary wall, 14 feet high and a moat
all around it, this beautiful palace had also several equally beautiful clusters
of structure which were converted into clubs and libraries, the lawns around them
into tennis courts by the British. The entrance of the palace called
the Darshani Deori is unique in design. It has four two storied towers in the
cardinal directions. There are two tanks, the one connecting the palace with water
channels fitted with fountains and the other with the air-conditioning pipes circuiting
the outer walls and the bathing tanks of the double storied part of the residence.
Some of the paintings and the mirror work on the roofs is still extant.
|
| Qila
Mubarak Patiala |
| The
Qila (fort) was also the residence of Patiala dynasty. The residential part was
called Qila Androon or the Inner Fort. Its living apartments have names like Jail
Walla Palace for royal prisoners, the Moti (pearl) Palace, the Sheesh (mirror
work) Palace, the Rajmata (Queen Mother) Palace, the Palace of Colours, the Palace
of the Moon. The recreational structures were called the Putli (Puppet) Ghar and
Bagh Ghar or the Garden House. Its richly painted chambers are peerless.
Most astonishing of all, the Palace is fitted with underground sewerage system
and has a cool room connected with a tunnel which brings cool air from the basement.
Lassi Khana-the royal kitchen used to feed 35,000 people of all ranks everyday.
|
| The
Sheesh Mahal, Patiala |
|
It
was built in the reign of Maharaja Narinder Singh (1845-1862) in a forest with
terraces, gardens, fountains and an artificial lake. With two watching towers
in the north and the south the lake is connected to Banasar Ghar, where all type
of stuffed animals are kept and Sheesh Mahal, the residential palace with a suspension
bridge which is a copy of the Lakhsman Jhula at Rishikesh. Part of the three storied
building is inset with pieces of reflecting mirrors and a large number of wall
paintings depicting scenes from Bhagwat Puran and portraits of the Sikh Gurus.
The palace has galleries displaying antique paintings, bronzes, sculptures and
portraits of the Maharajas of Patiala. The highlight is the gallery which displays
the world's largest collection of medals, decoration and orders of various countries.
The best and most impressive Palace in the Punjab was that of the ex-Ruler
of Kapurthala which has now been converted into a Sainik School. The
palaces of Nabha and Faridkot are not open to public.
|