Palaces in Punjab are complete symbols of luxury and grandeur in medieval and modern era. These palaces are made from the most superb materials and are architecturally brilliant. Some of the architectural skills are exquisite examples of the British and German architects. These palaces are great examples of the city"s deep rooted sense of history and culture during the bygone eras. Some of the palaces of Panjab are the Summer Palace of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, Qila Mubarak, Sheesh Mahal, Khalsa College, Moti Bagh Palace and the Army School.
Summer Palace of Maharaja Ranjit Singh
Summer Palace of Maharaja Ranjit Singh was constructed at a sprawling landscape. This palace is known for its exquisite location, intricate carvings and remarkable interiors. Under the supervision of the former Lahore nobles, Summer Palace of Maharaja Ranjit Singh was built as one of the costliest buildings of bygone era. The construction of the palace and its surrounding estates alone was a staggering Rs.125000 Nanak Shai. Summer Palace of Maharaja Ranjit Singh stands tall in a garden that houses some of the rarest of rare species of plants and trees. A boundary wall that is at a huge 14 feet of height forms the perfect guard for this palace.
Qila Mubarak
Qila Mubarak is used to the residence of the Patiala Royal Clan during one point of time. The residential portions were called Qila Androon, also translated as inner fort. Some of the apartments inside this palace were called Jail Walla palace (that housed royal prisoners), Moti Palace also known as pearl palace, Sheesh Mahal Palace., Rajmata Palace (Queen Mother"s Palace), Colours Palace and Moon Palace. The Garden House also known as Putli Ghar or Bagh Ghar was the main places of entertainment and relaxation for the royal members. These apartments had chambers that had exquisite paintings on them.
Sheesh Mahal
Sheesh Mahal was built between the years 1845 and 1847 by Narinder Singh. The palace was known as Sheesh Mahal because of the extensive use of mirror and glasswork in the interior designs. Sheesh Mahal was set up in a very scenic location of dense forests accompanied by greenery all around. There was also a man-made lake near the palace. A bridge that is suspended over the residential apartments of Sheesh Mahal resembles the Lakshman Jhoola in Rishikesh.
Khalsa College
Khalsa College is a historic educational organization in Amritsar in Punjab. This palatial college was founded in 1892, the sprawling 300-acre campus. It is located about eight kilometres from the city-centre on the Amritsar-Lahore highway (part of the Grand Trunk Road), adjoining Guru Nanak Dev University campus, to which Khalsa College is academically affiliated.
Moti Bagh Palace
Moti Bagh Palace is a palace in Patiala. It was built as one of the largest residences in the world and served as principal residence for Patiala royal family till late 1940 when it shifted to New Motibagh Palace which acts as permanent residence to Maharaja of Patiala and his family.
Sainik School
Sainik School of Kapurthala is one of 24 Sainik Schools across India. The school was inaugurated in July 1961 by Defence Minister V.K. Krishna Menon, with the objective of preparing boys for entry into National Defence Academy in Khadakwasla. In bygone days, this building is serving as one of the most palatial administrative unit in North western part of India. It is a fully residential school for boys only, providing public school education. It has produced more than 1150 officers for the Indian armed forces through National Defence Academy. It is the only school among the twenty Sainik Schools which has held the Defence Minister"s trophy continuously for nine years.
