Prag Mahal
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2018}}
{{Short description|19th-century palace in Gujarat, India}}
File:Clock Tower Pragmahal Bhuj Kutch Gujarat.jpg
The Prag Mahal is a 19th-century palace located next to the Aina Mahal in Bhuj, Kutch, Gujarat, India.
History
Prag Mahal is named after Rao Pragmalji II, who commissioned it and construction began in 1865.[http://www.gujaratindia.com/about-gujarat/palaces.htm "All about Gujarat: Palaces"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100103153843/http://gujaratindia.com/about-gujarat/palaces.htm |date=3 January 2010 }}. Gujarat State Portal.Haresh Pandya. [http://www.rediff.com/news/2006/sep/04guj.htm "Burglars targeting Gujarat palaces"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080328071508/http://www.rediff.com/news/2006/sep/04guj.htm |date=28 March 2008 }}. Rediff.com (4 September 2006). It was designed by Colonel Henry St Clair Wilkins in what the local tourist office describes as the Italian Gothic style, although it would be better described as a Romanesque architecture twist on the Indo-Saracenic Revival style, and many Italian artisans were involved in its construction. The palace artisans' wages were paid in gold coins.K. S. Dilipsinh. Kutch in festival and custom. Har-Anand Publications (2004), [https://books.google.com/books?id=oPUFiGRH07IC&pg=PA81 p. 81]. {{ISBN|978-81-241-0998-4}}. Construction of the palace, which ultimately cost 3.1 million rupees, was completed in 1879 during the regency of Khengarji III (Pragmalji II's son) following Pragmalji II's death in 1875.K. S. Dilipsinh. Kutch in festival and custom. Har-Anand Publications (2004), [https://books.google.com/books?id=oPUFiGRH07IC&pg=PA22 p. 22]. {{ISBN|978-81-241-0998-4}}.Gazetteer of the Bombay Presidency, vol. 5. Government Central Press (1880), [https://books.google.com/books?id=_r4MAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA254 p. 254]. The local Kutchi builder community (Mistris of Kutch) were also involved in construction of Prag Mahal along with Colonel Wilkins.{{Cite web |url=http://www.asanjokutch.com/content/monuments.asp?main_cat=visitor |title=This palace was built for Rao Pragmalji II (1860-75) by the British architects and the Kutchi builders |access-date=4 September 2010 |archive-date=7 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707172735/http://www.asanjokutch.com/content/monuments.asp?main_cat=visitor |url-status=live }}Nanji Bapa ni Nondh-pothi published from Baroda, in the Gujarati, 1999. pp:5-7.
Notable features
- The palace is made of Italian marble and sandstone from Rajasthan.
- The main hall, filled with decaying taxidermyJane Yang. Let's Go India & Nepal. Let's Go (2003), [https://books.google.com/books?id=i_QnM3nATkQC&pg=PA218 pp. 218-19]. {{ISBN|978-0-312-32006-5}}.
- Durbar hall, with broken chandeliers and classical statues
- Corinthian pillars
- Jali work depicting European plants and animals
- It has 45 foot high tower with a clock, from where you can see the entire Bhuj city.
- There is also a small temple in the courtyard behind the palace with nicely carved stonework.
Restoration
The 2001 Gujarat earthquake severely damaged the palace. In 2006, the palace was burgled, with thieves stealing antiques worth millions of rupees and damaging other items throughout the palace. As of 2007, the palace was in a "ghostly", "forlorn" state. The palace and the tower were later repaired, after Amitabh Bachchan took personal interest in restoration of palace,{{cite news | url=https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-prag-mahal-to-be-renovated-on-amitabh-bachchan-s-suggestion-1399330 | title=Prag Mahal to be renovated on Amitabh Bachchan's suggestion | publisher=DNA India | date=21 June 2010 | author=PTI | accessdate=29 December 2018 | archive-date=30 December 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181230030245/https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-prag-mahal-to-be-renovated-on-amitabh-bachchan-s-suggestion-1399330 | url-status=live }} and its tower and clock have been repaired and are now open for public viewing. The Darbar Hall of the majestic Pragmahal Palace was renovated by the Maharao Pragmalji-III at a personal cost of Rs 5 crore. Visitors may enter the main palace halls and ascend the bell tower, which offers views of the city.[http://www.gujarattourism.com/showpage.aspx?contentid=44&webpartid=48 "Prag Mahal"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100103203600/http://gujarattourism.com/showpage.aspx?contentid=44&webpartid=48 |date=2010-01-03 }}. Gujarat Tourism.
File:PragMahal-Bhuj-Gujarat-JM18.jpg|Durbar Hall
File:Prag Mahal Bhuj.jpg|Italian Gothic architecture of Prag Mahal with clock tower on right
File:Prag Mahal.jpg|Back side of Prag Mahal
File:Prag Mahal Palace Bhuj.jpg|Full View of Prag Mahal
In popular culture
See also
References
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Category:Royal residences in India
Category:Tourist attractions in Kutch district