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Monuments in Punjab

Divan Khana : The Divan Khana or Darball Hall is one of the major ancient monument in Punjab and was used for large audiences and important public occasions. Today Divan Khan 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 Divan Khana 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 used to sit . The wooden frame work of the ceiling holds decorated Plaster-of Paris tiles painted in the traditional Arabic style and the ceiling is hung with a fabled collection of chandeliers.

Sheesh Mahal : The Sheesh Mahal or the ‘Palace of Mirrors’ in Patiala in Punjab, was built by Maharaja Narinder Singh between 1845-1862 behind the main Moti Bagh Palace. The Sheesh Mahal was built in a forest with terraces, gardens, fountains along with an artificial lake. The lake has two watchtowers in the north and the south. The lake is also connected to the Banasar Ghar, a repository for stuffed animals. The Sheesh Mahal, which was a residential palace, has a suspension bridge which is a copy of the Lakshman Jhoola at Rishikesh. The walls of the Sheesh Mahal is painted with a variety of images related to mythology and legends. The painters were brought from Kangra and Rajasthan. The entire section of the palace is covered with exquisitely designed glass and mirror work. The Mahal consist of a museum displaying Tibetan art along with sculpture of different kinds of metal. There is also a medal gallery in the Sheesh Mahal, displaying the largest numbers of medals and decorations in the world, and numbers about 3,200.

Rauza Sharif : The "Rauza Sharif" is a mausoleum in Sirhind, which commemorates the burial place of the famous Sufi Saint Sheikh Ahmed Farooqi. Sheikh Ahmed Farooqi was one of the best disciples of Khawaja Baqi Billah. The famous Rauza Sharif 'Urs' is celebrated on the 31st of May every year. Rauza Sharif is indeed a national historical monument and is considered as the second Mecca by the Suni Muslims. There are tombs, cenotaphs and a mosque in the premises of this mausoleum. This Mausoleum is annually visited by a large number Naqshbandi Muslims from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Indonesia, during the month of August. It is 5 kms away from Patiala and is well connected by road and rail.

Moti Bagh Palace : Moti Bagh Palace is a major historical monument in Patiala and this palace was built as one of the largest residences in the world. The Moti Bagh Place also served as principal residence for the Patiala royal family till late 1940s after which it shifted to New Motibagh Palace. The Moti Bagh Palace is currently the permanent residence to Maharaja of Patiala and his family. The old quarters of Moti Bagh Palace were built in 1840s by Maharaja of Patiala, and were considered to be one of the most amazing architectural constructions in Punjab. The Moti Bagh Palace in Punjab was expanded in 1920s by Maharaja Bhupinder Singh. Shortly after the Indian Independence, the Palace was donated to the Government of India by Maharaja Yadavindra Singh. After it was donated, a portion of the palace was converted into a museum, a taxidermy gallery, and North Zone Cultural Centre. Eventhoug the Moti Bagh Palce is being currenly used by the Maharaja, it is considered to be one of the most important historical monuments in Punjab. Moti Bagh Palace is gaining huge popularity as a must to visit monument destination in Punjab and during the peak tourist season, we can see a huge flow of travellers visiting this palace.

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