Mubarak Mandi Palace: The Royal Seat of Dogras & Identity of Dogra Culture

Mubarak Mandi Palace, the Royal Seat of Dogras

History of a country, region or state is the repository of its culture, heritage & it is reflected in the monuments attached with it. If we talk about the Dogra Dynasty, the history of it will not complete until unless we talk about Mubarak Mandi Palace, the seat of the Dogra dynasty which was once spanned from Pir Panjal Range in the North to plains of Punjab in the South & to Laddakh in the East to the frontiers now under Pakistan. It was in the 17th century that Raja Hari Dev Singh who after capturing so many small principalities in the area became a king and started the dynasty of Jamwal Dogra Rajputs. It was in the era of his grandson Raja Dhruv Dev who after creating a new mansion, out looking the river Tavi, made a new capital which was called Mubarak Mandi after renouncing older seat at Purani Mandi.

     In 1783 the Jammu kingdom of Raja dhruvdev was attacked by Shukr Chakiya Missal which was a very powerful missal among so many missals of Sikh Kingdom of Maharaja Ranjit Singh and burnt down the large part of Mubarak Mandi and thus started a feudal war which lasted for 25 yrs. It was the period of chaos and uncertainty which prevailed over till the 19th century and was ended when Maharaja Ranjit Singh captured whole of the Jammu region and annexing it in the Sikh Empire after defeating Raja of Jammu in the Battle of Jammu in 1808 and gave it as a Jagir to Kishore Singh Rajput Dogra (a distant relative of Raja Ranjeet Dev) in lieu of his services in the war. Kishore Singh afterwards gave it to his son Gulab Singh after being nominated in the Lahore Darbar.It was an interesting fact that Gulab Singh son of Kishore Singh was earlier decorated with the Jagir of Balakot region (now in Pakistan) but due to a rebellious attitude of the tribes, he was not comfortable there. So he gladly accepted the offer and sworned in as Raja of Jammu by none other that Maharaja Ranjit Singh at Jia Pota Ghat in Akhnoor on the bank's of river Chenab on 16th June 1822 afterwards and this started the famous Royal Dogra Dynasty.

Coronation of Maharaja Gulab Singh

     It was under Gulab Singh that Jammu region became a Kingdom and Mubarak Mandi Palace became the the seat of administration of Raja Gulab Singh. 

Raja Gulab Singh decorated Mubarak Mandi complex and constructed some buildings but it was only under his son Ranveer Singh that it came to its present form. After sworning as Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir in 1846 after the Treaty of Lahore and shifting of his capital from Jammu to Srinagar, Gulab Singh handed over the Mubarak Mandi Palace to his son Ranbir Singh.Ranbir Singh decorated and expanded it till 1874 by constructing several buildings.

 

Dogra Rulers

         After Ranveer Singh his successor Pratap Singh also expanded it and made a new beautiful structure there called Rani Charak Palace in 1913 for his queen which belongs to Charak dynasty.

    

Rani Charak Palace

       The whole of the Mubarak Mandi Palace is situated at a hillock and at the prime land of Jammu which is near about 14 acres and housed near about 25 buildings of different types of dates and architecture such as Barouqe style of Europe plus Mughal and Rajsthani Architecture, thus make it a unique blend of architectural history. The oldest building in the palace is of 1824.

Ruins still reflecting old glamour

It was the main seat of Dogra dynasty of Jammu until 1925 when Maharaja Hari Singh after ascending the throne changed the seat to Hari Niwas Palace. After 1947 it came under the control of the government and from 1947 to 80's and even 90's, it was the main seat of the government of erstwhile state of J&K. In an earthquake in 1980's the big part of the building again collapsed including the famous Ghol Ghar.

 

Marvellous Architecture

  Till date the building was gutted into fire 13 times either due to natural or due to intrigues. The Tosh Khana ( Royal Treasury) ia already shifted from here.

Pink Hall (Captivating Beauty)

The main attraction of the building was it's Pink Hall (due to its pink colour) which now housed in a museum which has several miniature paintings of different styles. The Ghol Ghar of the building is in ruins. The only part open now and main attraction of the building is Dogra Art Museum which has different 800 different types of art paintings of different schools. It has also the golden bow and arrow of Shahjahan, the Mughal Ruler and other interesting things. The Dogra Art Museum has precious collection of of Dogra art and miniatures it has manuscripts of of various eras, jewellery, coins and oil paintings. In all the objects number around 7320 and a reference library of near about 2600 books and contains rich trove of knowledge there. 

       

As the Mubarak Mandi Palace is a link to the Dogra Dynasty, Dogra identity, Dogra culture & Dogra Virasat so when the seat of the government is shifted from from Mubarak Mandi Palace to Civil sectt, this prestigious heritage is in shambles. Building complex due to its non care was deteriorating and growing in shambles. In near about every rainy season some part of the building complex collapses. There was a strong rant from all the Dogra from that this monument, prestigious heritage, this building Complex which is related to the Dogra identity, Dogra culture; it should be preserved. But till date if you see there is nothing you can say in the right direction. Although Darbar Hall Complex is renovated and work is also going on Rani Charak Palace but it is going on snail's pace. There are only half hearted measures from the successive govt for its preservation. The famous Ghol Ghar, Haathi Deodi ( The Gateway to Mubarak Mandi Complex) are already in ruins.

But still the beauty and remains of the complex mesmerizes the people and gives them the glimpses about the ancient grandeur of this palace. One may go in Nostalgia on seeing the ruins. The ancient glamour and valour of Dogra rulers who hoisted their flag in Gilgit, Baltistan and Skardu inthralls him but It also makes him ponder that

      "Every dynasty whatsoever strong and grand it was,.... Ultimately has to meet his doom..."