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{{Infobox Historic building |
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The '''Amar Mahal Palace''' is a palace in [[Jammu]], in the [[ |
The '''Amar Mahal Palace''' is a palace in [[Jammu]], in the Indian erstwhile [[Jammu and Kashmir (princely state)|Kingdom of Jammu and Kashmir]], [[India]]. The palace has now been converted into a museum. Commissioned by Maharaja Amar Singh, a [[Dogras|Dogra]] king, the palace was built in the nineteenth century by a French architect on the lines of a French [[Chateau]]. The palace was donated to the Hari-Tara Charitable Trust by [[Karan Singh]] for use as a [[museum]].<ref name=Mahal>{{Cite web|url=http://jammukashmir.nic.in/tourism/jammu/amarmhl%20.htm|title=Amar Mahal Palace Museum|access-date=2010-04-01|publisher=National Informatics Centre|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100323021248/http://jammukashmir.nic.in/tourism/jammu/amarmhl%20.htm|archive-date=23 March 2010|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> It has many exhibits including a golden throne weighing 120kg, a [[Pahari painting|Pahari miniature]], [[Kangra painting|Kangra miniature paintings]], a library of 25,000 antique books, many rare art collections,<ref name=Mahal/><ref name=Bradnock>{{Cite book|last1=Bradnock|first1=Robert|first2=Roma | last2=Bradnock|title= Indian Himalaya handbook: the travel guide|access-date=2010-04-01|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TyZGp_YVzb8C&dq=Amar+Mahal+palace+in+Jammu&pg=PA231|publisher= Footprint Travel Guides|year=2000|isbn=1-900949-79-2}}</ref><ref name=Amar>{{Cite web|url=http://goalnet.unigoa.ac.in/gulibrary/WondersOfIndia%20(H)/Amar%20Mahal%20Palace%20Museum.doc|title=Amar Mahal Palace Museum|access-date=2010-04-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305141205/http://goalnet.unigoa.ac.in/gulibrary/WondersOfIndia%20(H)/Amar%20Mahal%20Palace%20Museum.doc|archive-date=5 March 2012|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> and a large collection of portraits of the royal family.<ref name="Bindloss">{{Cite book |last1=Bindloss |first1=Joe |url=https://archive.org/details/lonelyplanetindi00sari |title=India |last2=Singh |first2=Sarina |publisher=Lonely Planet |year=2007 |isbn=978-1-74104-308-2 |page=[https://archive.org/details/lonelyplanetindi00sari/page/364 364] |quote=Architectural Details of Amar Mahal Palace. |access-date=2010-04-04 |url-access=registration}}</ref> |
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The palace was the last official residence of the [[Dogra dynasty]] and the last king of the kingdom [[Hari Singh|Maharaja Hari Singh]]. |
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The palace was the last official residence of the [[Dogra dynasty]], and a large collection of portraits of the royal family are also on display in the Museum.<ref name=Bindloss>{{Cite book|last1=Bindloss|first1=Joe|first2=Sarina | last2=Singh|title= India|page=[https://archive.org/details/lonelyplanetindi00sari/page/364 364]|accessdate=2010-04-04|url=https://archive.org/details/lonelyplanetindi00sari|url-access=registration|quote=Architectural Details of Amar Mahal Palace.|publisher= Lonely Planet|year= 2007|isbn=1-74104-308-5}}</ref> |
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==Geography== |
==Geography== |
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Amar Mahal is situated on the right bank of the [[Tawi River]], on a bend of the river, in Jammu. Jammu, once a princely city, is also famous for forts, palaces and temples. The [[Sivalik Hills]] or ranges to the north of the Mahal, on the left bank of the river, provide a grand view, with the Tawi River flowing in between, draining the valley. It is well located adjoining the heritage hotel known as the [[Hari Niwas Palace]] Hotel, in the heart of the city, on the road to [[Kashmir]].<ref name=Mahal/><ref name=Bradnock/> |
Amar Mahal is situated on the right bank of the [[Tawi River]], on a bend of the river, in Jammu. Tawi river is also known as Suryaputri Tawi (Suryaputri is a Hindi word meaning 'The Daughter of The Sun God').Jammu, once a princely city, is also famous for forts, palaces and temples. The [[Sivalik Hills]] or ranges to the north of the Mahal, on the left bank of the river, provide a grand view, with the Tawi River flowing in between, draining the valley. It is well located adjoining the heritage hotel known as the [[Hari Niwas Palace]] Hotel, in the heart of the city, on the road to [[Kashmir]].<ref name=Mahal/><ref name=Bradnock/> |
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==History== |
==History== |
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The Amar Mahal Palace was planned by a French architect, in 1862. However, it was not built until the 1890s. Maharani Tara Devi, wife of the late Maharaja [[Hari Singh]] (son of Raja Amar Singh) lived in this palace till her death in 1967. Subsequently, her son Karan Singh and his wife Yasho Rajya Lakshmi converted the palace into a museum to house rare books and works of art, with the objective of "Encouraging artistic talent, to establish fine arts centre and to collaborate with other like minded institutions for promotion of Indian arts". For this purpose, they transferred the palace property to a trust named as the "Hari-Tara Charitable Trust". Karan Singh voluntarily surrendered the [[Privy Purse]] paid to him by the [[Government of India]] as a former ruler of Jammu, one of the [[Princely states|Princely state of India]], and used the funds to set up this museum named in memory of his parents. |
The Amar Mahal Palace was planned by a French architect, in 1862. However, it was not built until the 1890s. Maharani Tara Devi, wife of the late Maharaja [[Hari Singh]] (son of Raja Amar Singh) lived in this palace till her death in 1967. Subsequently, her son Karan Singh and his wife Yasho Rajya Lakshmi converted the palace into a museum to house rare books and works of art, with the objective of "Encouraging artistic talent, to establish fine arts centre and to collaborate with other like minded institutions for promotion of Indian arts". For this purpose, they transferred the palace property to a trust named as the "Hari-Tara Charitable Trust". Karan Singh voluntarily surrendered the [[Privy Purse]] paid to him by the [[Government of India]] as a former ruler of Jammu, one of the [[Princely states|Princely state of India]], and used the funds to set up this museum named in memory of his parents. |
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The museum was inaugurated by the [[Indira Gandhi]], [[Prime Minister of India]], on 13 April 1975. To promote the stated objectives, the Trust arranges guided tours, book readings, lectures, film shows and hobby classes and other visitor friendly activities in the Museum. Scholarly exchanges, workshops and exhibitions are also regular features held by the Trust.<ref name=Karan>{{Cite web|url=http://www.karansingh.com/amml/about.htm|title=Amar Mahal Museum and Library| |
The museum was inaugurated by the [[Indira Gandhi]], [[Prime Minister of India]], on 13 April 1975. To promote the stated objectives, the Trust arranges guided tours, book readings, lectures, film shows and hobby classes and other visitor friendly activities in the Museum. Scholarly exchanges, workshops and exhibitions are also regular features held by the Trust.<ref name=Karan>{{Cite web|url=http://www.karansingh.com/amml/about.htm|title=Amar Mahal Museum and Library|access-date=2010-04-01|publisher=Karansingh.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091223211645/http://www.karansingh.com/amml/about.htm|archive-date=23 December 2009|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name=Gandhi>{{Cite book|first1=Kishor |last1=Gandhi|last2=Singh |first2=Karan (Sadr-i-Riyasat of Jammu and Kashmir)|title= The Transition to a global society|page=251|access-date=2010-04-01|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qQ1mAAAAMAAJ&q=The+Hari-Tara+Charitable+Trust|publisher= Allied Publishers|year=1991|isbn=81-7023-320-8}}</ref> The Dogra-Pahari paintings displayed in the museum were creation of the second half of the 18th century in Jammu and Himachal Pradesh of the Kangra school of art. To quote the words of Karan Singh: "The whole effect is to transport one into a fascinating miniature world with its own aura and ethos."<ref>{{: File:A plaque in the Amar Mahal Museum.jpg|A plaque displayed in the Museum with some information of the Museum|date=02-04-2010}}</ref> |
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==Architecture== |
==Architecture== |
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| footer = Left: Closer view of Amar Mahal Museum. Right: Golden Sofa or throne, a prized display in Amar Mahal Palace Museum |
| footer = Left: Closer view of Amar Mahal Museum. Right: Golden Sofa or throne, a prized display in Amar Mahal Palace Museum |
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}} |
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The palace built in red [[sandstone]] with red bricks is in a picturesque environment on a hillock overlooking the Tawi river valley. Built in the [[European castle]] style, the palace has sloping roofs with turrets and tall towers.<ref name=Mahal/> When built during the reign of Raja Amar Singh, it was the tallest building in Jammu.<ref name=Desh>{{Cite book|last=Desh|first=Bandhu|title= Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh: tourist-attractions & tourism|page=82| |
The palace built in red [[sandstone]] with red bricks is in a picturesque environment on a hillock overlooking the Tawi river valley. Built in the [[European castle]] style, the palace has sloping roofs with turrets and tall towers.<ref name=Mahal/> When built during the reign of Raja Amar Singh, it was the tallest building in Jammu.<ref name=Desh>{{Cite book|last=Desh|first=Bandhu|title= Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh: tourist-attractions & tourism|page=82|access-date=2010-04-01|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GPLDUVNeLXMC&dq=Amar+Mahal+palace+in+Jammu&pg=PA82|publisher= Anmol Publications PVT. LTD.|year=1989|isbn=81-7158-014-9}}</ref> |
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The imposing building has long passages on three sides, which are covered by sloping corrugated tin roofs. The passages are supported on columns with wooden framework. The first floor of the palace building has French windows with connected balcony. The top floor has a bay window. The windows also depict triangular projections in classical [[Greek Architecture|Greek architectural style]], which are fitted over ornate false columns.<ref name=Architect>{{Cite web|url=http://www.jammu.com/jammu/about/local_sites.htm|title=Jammu:Amar Mahal Palace| |
The imposing building has long passages on three sides, which are covered by sloping corrugated tin roofs. The passages are supported on columns with wooden framework. The first floor of the palace building has French windows with connected balcony. The top floor has a bay window. The windows also depict triangular projections in classical [[Greek Architecture|Greek architectural style]], which are fitted over ornate false columns.<ref name=Architect>{{Cite web|url=http://www.jammu.com/jammu/about/local_sites.htm|title=Jammu:Amar Mahal Palace|access-date=2010-04-04| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100410055734/http://www.jammu.com/jammu/about/local_sites.htm| archive-date= 10 April 2010 | url-status= live}}</ref> |
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==Displays== |
==Displays== |
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| caption3 = Modern painting of Dashavatara – [[Kalki]] – An Era of [[Nuclear weapon|Atomic Bombs]] and [[Rocket]]s |
| caption3 = Modern painting of Dashavatara – [[Kalki]] – An Era of [[Nuclear weapon|Atomic Bombs]] and [[Rocket]]s |
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}} |
}} |
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Only four rooms of the palace are open depicting Pahari paintings of [[Mahabharata]] epic scenes and royal memorabilia. A golden sofa of the [[ |
Only four rooms of the palace are open depicting Pahari paintings of [[Mahabharata]] epic scenes and royal memorabilia. A golden sofa of the [[Dogras|Dogra rulers]], weighing 120 kg in pure gold, embedded with golden lions at the corners, is housed in a hexagonal room in the museum, which is viewed only through glass covered window panes as the main door is kept locked for security reasons.<ref name=Mahal/><ref name=Bradnock/> The art works of some of the renowned Indian artists like [[M.F. Hussain]], J.Swaminathan, G. R. Santosh, Bikash Battacharjee, [[Ram Kumar (artist)|Ram Kumar]], Laxman Pai are also on display in the museum.<ref name=Architect/> |
||
In one of the galleries, paintings of [[Hindu epic]] stories such as of [[Nala]] [[Damayanti]] (a set of forty-seven miniature paintings) are depicted. Modern version of the [[Dashavatara]] paintings (ten [[avatar]]s of [[Hindu]] god [[Vishnu]]) are also displayed in a separate ante-chamber in the Museum. These are unusual modern art set of paintings.<ref name=Architect/> |
In one of the galleries, paintings of [[Hindu epic]] stories such as of [[Nala]] [[Damayanti]] (a set of forty-seven miniature paintings) are depicted. Modern version of the [[Dashavatara]] paintings (ten [[avatar]]s of [[Hindu]] god [[Vishnu]]) are also displayed in a separate ante-chamber in the Museum. These are unusual modern art set of paintings.<ref name=Architect/> |
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Family portraits of the Dogra rulers of Jammu and Kashmir are on display in the Durbar Hall at the entrance gallery. In the first and second floors, a few chambers house the library, which has a collection of rare antique books (25,000) on religion, philosophy and political science to fiction.<ref name=Museum>{{Cite web|url=http://www.kashmir-tourism.net/jammu-kashmir/amar-mahal-museum.html |title=Amar Mahal Museum | |
Family portraits of the Dogra rulers of Jammu and Kashmir are on display in the Durbar Hall at the entrance gallery. In the first and second floors, a few chambers house the library, which has a collection of rare antique books (25,000) on religion, philosophy and political science to fiction.<ref name=Museum>{{Cite web|url=http://www.kashmir-tourism.net/jammu-kashmir/amar-mahal-museum.html |title=Amar Mahal Museum |access-date=2010-04-04 |publisher=Kashmir Tourism |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060420172954/http://www.kashmir-tourism.net/jammu-kashmir/amar-mahal-museum.html |archive-date=20 April 2006 }}</ref> |
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An exclusive chamber in the museum, once the living quarters of the [[Maharani]] (later called the Maharajmata) Tara Devi, is conserved and exhibited in its original form where a silver bedspread, period furniture, photographs, the decoration of the Crown of India which was presented to her in 1945, her personal items of clothing and the unique Victorian bath room are on display.<ref name=Museum/> |
An exclusive chamber in the museum, once the living quarters of the [[Maharani]] (later called the Maharajmata) Tara Devi, is conserved and exhibited in its original form where a silver bedspread, period furniture, photographs, the decoration of the Crown of India which was presented to her in 1945, her personal items of clothing and the unique Victorian bath room are on display.<ref name=Museum/> |
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[[Category:Palaces in Jammu and Kashmir]] |
[[Category:Palaces in Jammu and Kashmir]] |
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[[Category:Buildings and structures in Jammu (city)]] |
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Jammu (city)]] |
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[[Category:Rajput architecture]] |
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[[Category:Historic house museums in India]] |
[[Category:Historic house museums in India]] |
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[[Category:19th-century establishments in Jammu and Kashmir]] |
Revision as of 10:05, 5 December 2023
Amar Mahal Palace | |
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![]() Amar Mahal Palace Museum, | |
General information | |
Architectural style | Continental castle architecture |
Town or city | Jammu |
Land | ![]() |
Coordinates | 32°44′53″N 74°52′19″E / 32.748°N 74.872°E |
Completed | 1890s |
Client | Raja Amar Singh |
Technical details | |
Structural system | Red Sandstones and bricks |
Design and construction | |
Architect(s) | French architect |
Engineer | French engineer |
The Amar Mahal Palace is a palace in Jammu, in the Indian erstwhile Kingdom of Jammu and Kashmir, India. The palace has now been converted into a museum. Commissioned by Maharaja Amar Singh, a Dogra king, the palace was built in the nineteenth century by a French architect on the lines of a French Chateau. The palace was donated to the Hari-Tara Charitable Trust by Karan Singh for use as a museum.[1] It has many exhibits including a golden throne weighing 120kg, a Pahari miniature, Kangra miniature paintings, a library of 25,000 antique books, many rare art collections,[1][2][3] and a large collection of portraits of the royal family.[4]
The palace was the last official residence of the Dogra dynasty and the last king of the kingdom Maharaja Hari Singh.
Geography
Amar Mahal is situated on the right bank of the Tawi River, on a bend of the river, in Jammu. Tawi river is also known as Suryaputri Tawi (Suryaputri is a Hindi word meaning 'The Daughter of The Sun God').Jammu, once a princely city, is also famous for forts, palaces and temples. The Sivalik Hills or ranges to the north of the Mahal, on the left bank of the river, provide a grand view, with the Tawi River flowing in between, draining the valley. It is well located adjoining the heritage hotel known as the Hari Niwas Palace Hotel, in the heart of the city, on the road to Kashmir.[1][2]
History
The Amar Mahal Palace was planned by a French architect, in 1862. However, it was not built until the 1890s. Maharani Tara Devi, wife of the late Maharaja Hari Singh (son of Raja Amar Singh) lived in this palace till her death in 1967. Subsequently, her son Karan Singh and his wife Yasho Rajya Lakshmi converted the palace into a museum to house rare books and works of art, with the objective of "Encouraging artistic talent, to establish fine arts centre and to collaborate with other like minded institutions for promotion of Indian arts". For this purpose, they transferred the palace property to a trust named as the "Hari-Tara Charitable Trust". Karan Singh voluntarily surrendered the Privy Purse paid to him by the Government of India as a former ruler of Jammu, one of the Princely state of India, and used the funds to set up this museum named in memory of his parents.
The museum was inaugurated by the Indira Gandhi, Prime Minister of India, on 13 April 1975. To promote the stated objectives, the Trust arranges guided tours, book readings, lectures, film shows and hobby classes and other visitor friendly activities in the Museum. Scholarly exchanges, workshops and exhibitions are also regular features held by the Trust.[5][6] The Dogra-Pahari paintings displayed in the museum were creation of the second half of the 18th century in Jammu and Himachal Pradesh of the Kangra school of art. To quote the words of Karan Singh: "The whole effect is to transport one into a fascinating miniature world with its own aura and ethos."[7]
Architecture
The palace built in red sandstone with red bricks is in a picturesque environment on a hillock overlooking the Tawi river valley. Built in the European castle style, the palace has sloping roofs with turrets and tall towers.[1] When built during the reign of Raja Amar Singh, it was the tallest building in Jammu.[8] The imposing building has long passages on three sides, which are covered by sloping corrugated tin roofs. The passages are supported on columns with wooden framework. The first floor of the palace building has French windows with connected balcony. The top floor has a bay window. The windows also depict triangular projections in classical Greek architectural style, which are fitted over ornate false columns.[9]
Displays
Only four rooms of the palace are open depicting Pahari paintings of Mahabharata epic scenes and royal memorabilia. A golden sofa of the Dogra rulers, weighing 120 kg in pure gold, embedded with golden lions at the corners, is housed in a hexagonal room in the museum, which is viewed only through glass covered window panes as the main door is kept locked for security reasons.[1][2] The art works of some of the renowned Indian artists like M.F. Hussain, J.Swaminathan, G. R. Santosh, Bikash Battacharjee, Ram Kumar, Laxman Pai are also on display in the museum.[9] In one of the galleries, paintings of Hindu epic stories such as of Nala Damayanti (a set of forty-seven miniature paintings) are depicted. Modern version of the Dashavatara paintings (ten avatars of Hindu god Vishnu) are also displayed in a separate ante-chamber in the Museum. These are unusual modern art set of paintings.[9] Family portraits of the Dogra rulers of Jammu and Kashmir are on display in the Durbar Hall at the entrance gallery. In the first and second floors, a few chambers house the library, which has a collection of rare antique books (25,000) on religion, philosophy and political science to fiction.[10]
An exclusive chamber in the museum, once the living quarters of the Maharani (later called the Maharajmata) Tara Devi, is conserved and exhibited in its original form where a silver bedspread, period furniture, photographs, the decoration of the Crown of India which was presented to her in 1945, her personal items of clothing and the unique Victorian bath room are on display.[10]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/94/Gulab_Singh_of_Jammu_and_Kashmir.jpg/220px-Gulab_Singh_of_Jammu_and_Kashmir.jpg)
Gallery
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A plaque in the Amar Mahal Museum
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Miniature Pahari paintings
References
- ^ a b c d e "Amar Mahal Palace Museum". National Informatics Centre. Archived from the original on 23 March 2010. Retrieved 1 April 2010.
- ^ a b c Bradnock, Robert; Bradnock, Roma (2000). Indian Himalaya handbook: the travel guide. Footprint Travel Guides. ISBN 1-900949-79-2. Retrieved 1 April 2010.
- ^ "Amar Mahal Palace Museum". Archived from the original on 5 March 2012. Retrieved 1 April 2010.
- ^ Bindloss, Joe; Singh, Sarina (2007). India. Lonely Planet. p. 364. ISBN 978-1-74104-308-2. Retrieved 4 April 2010.
Architectural Details of Amar Mahal Palace.
- ^ "Amar Mahal Museum and Library". Karansingh.com. Archived from the original on 23 December 2009. Retrieved 1 April 2010.
- ^ Gandhi, Kishor; Singh, Karan (Sadr-i-Riyasat of Jammu and Kashmir) (1991). The Transition to a global society. Allied Publishers. p. 251. ISBN 81-7023-320-8. Retrieved 1 April 2010.
- ^ File:A plaque in the Amar Mahal Museum.jpg
- ^ Desh, Bandhu (1989). Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh: tourist-attractions & tourism. Anmol Publications PVT. LTD. p. 82. ISBN 81-7158-014-9. Retrieved 1 April 2010.
- ^ a b c "Jammu:Amar Mahal Palace". Archived from the original on 10 April 2010. Retrieved 4 April 2010.
- ^ a b "Amar Mahal Museum". Kashmir Tourism. Archived from the original on 20 April 2006. Retrieved 4 April 2010.