Amar Mahal, located in Jammu, is a palace depicting grandeur of an erstwhile era. It was constructed by a French architect for Raja Amar Singh, belonging to the Dogra dynasty. The architecture of this marvelous palace resembles the grand Chateaus of France. The beautiful palace of Amar Mahal is made of red sand stone which is a real visual treat. The scenic background of the place enhances the beauty of this palace manifolds. The stunning sight of River Tawi flowing below and the Shivaliks in the north will surely make your heart skip a beat or two. Dr. Karan Singh donated this palace to the charitable trust of Hari-Tara. At present, this trust is responsible for the maintenance of this palace. In fact, Amar Mahal Palace at present has been transformed into a museum. It also plays host to a well stocked library.
About Amar Mahal Palace :
The Amar Mahal is a beautiful palace that is located in Jammu. This magnificent palace was made up of red sand stone. The designs in the palace resembles like a French Chateau. The top of this palace offers a splendid view of the Shivalik ranges and many other picturesque sights-seeing available near the palace. In the early times, Raja Amar Singh used to live in this palace. Now, this palace has been turned into a museum.
Attraction of Amar Mahal Palace :
The main attraction of the palace is the golden throne. This beautiful throne was made of 120 kg of pure gold. This throne was embedded with images of lion. Apart from the throne, the rare paintings in the Amar Palace are also a cause of attraction to the tourists of the entire globe. The tourists can find Nal Damayanti, which is a gallery of paintings in this place. Amar Mahal Palace also have a well maintained stocked of more than twenty five thousand books in the library. Avail Jammu & Kashmir tour and witness the Amar Mahal Palace.
History of Amar Mahal Palace :
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 Dr. Karan Singh and his wife Mrs. 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”. Dr. 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 late Mrs. Indira Gandhi, Prime Minister of India, on April 13, 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. 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 Dr Karan Singh, the Raja behind the setting up of the Museum, “The whole effect is to transport one into a fascinating miniature world with its own aura and ethos”
Architecture of Amar Mahal Palace :
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 When built during the reign of Raja Amar Singh, it was the tallest building in Jammu 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 classicalGreek architectural style, which are fitted over ornate false columns.
Reaching There :
The best way to reach there is by road. There are local auto available from anywhere in Jammu to make you reach to this destination comfortably. They will charge a nominal amount to make you reach there. There is also a service of Mini Bus but is not allowed to enter the palace.
Location : Jammu, J&K
Historical Significance : Once the Residential Palace Of Raja Amar Singh
Presently Maintained By : Hari-Tara Charitable Trust Ramnagar,Tel:5676.
Open in :Winter : 1000 to 1200 hrs. and 1500 to 1700 hrs, Summer : 1700 to 1900 hrs.
Sundays : 1000 to 1200 hrs.
Closed : State holidays and Mondays.
Exhibits : Pahari Paintings, family portraits of rulers of J&K,library.
