Situated in Patiala, Punjab, Moti Bagh Palace stands as one of the most prominent monuments of regional Indian royalty. Originally conceived as the grand seat of the ruling Phulkian dynasty, the complex illustrates the evolution of Sikh royal patronage from the mid-nineteenth century to the post-independence era. The estate, comprising both the historic Old Moti Bagh Palace and the subsequent New Moti Bagh Palace, reflects an ambitious synthesis of traditional Indian design, Western engineering, and civic adaptation.
 |
| Moti Bagh Palace Patiala Punjab (India) pinterest.com |
 |
| Moti Bagh Palace, Moti Bagh, Patiala Punjab(India) .beyondyatra.com |
 |
| Moti Bagh Palace, Patiala mappls.com |
The construction of Old Moti Bagh Palace began in 1847 under Maharaja Narinder Singh at an estimated cost of five lakh rupees. Designed in part on the spatial layout of Lahore’s historic Shalimar Gardens, the initial structure incorporated formal terraces, landscaped gardens, and artificial water channels. In the 1920s, during the reign of Maharaja Bhupinder Singh, the estate underwent extensive additions overseen by the distinguished civil engineer Sir Ganga Ram. The main four-story residence features a dramatic blend of Rajput, Mughal, and regional Sikh architectural elements. Massive stone outer walls with vaulted arched gateways provide structural framing, while ornamental jharokhas (overhanging balconies), chhatris (domed pavilions), and detailed metal grille work soften the facade.
 |
| Bejeweled Maharajah of Patiala, Yadavindra Singh pinterest.com |
 |
| Moti Bagh palace Patiala en.wikipedia.org |
.jpg) |
| Moti Bagh palace (reign Maharajah Bhupinder Singh 1922-23 upload.wikimedia.org/ |
 |
| Moti Bagh palace (reign Maharajah Bhupinder Singh 1922-23 upload.wikimedia.org/ |
Above images: Moti Bagh palace of Patiala, Punjab (India) before partition showing entrance gate. The photo was compiled by wife of dental surgeon Dr. H. R. Hunter. https://www.bonhams.com..........
At the heart of the complex lies the Sheesh Mahal (Palace of Mirrors), designed as a private pavilion overlooking two expansive water tanks. The interior walls and ceilings of the Sheesh Mahal feature elaborate mirror-work and frescoes rendered by Kangra and Rajasthan artists, depicting themes from classical literature such as the Gita Govinda and Ragamala. Connecting the main palace grounds across the lake to Bansar Garh—an island pavilion housing a natural history gallery—is the Lakshman Jhula, a suspended rope bridge modeled after its namesake in Rishikesh.
 |
| Moti Bagh Palace Patiala Chhatris and Jharokhas travelandleisureasia.com |
 |
| Moti Bagh Palace justdial.in |
Following India’s independence, Maharaja Yadavindra Singh facilitated the transition of the estate into public domain. The royal family shifted its residence two kilometers away to the New Moti Bagh Palace, constructed on a 160-acre plot. Meanwhile, the original Old Moti Bagh complex underwent significant adaptive reuse. In 1961, the East Wing was converted into the Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports (NIS), transforming the former royal estate into Asia’s largest sports institute. Additionally, sections of the complex were allocated to house the North Zone Cultural Centre (NZCC), a natural history museum featuring taxidermy collections, and an art gallery containing rare miniature paintings, numismatic collections, and royal armaments assembled by the Patiala rulers.
Through structured conservation interventions by state heritage authorities—focusing on the structural integrity of the Sheesh Mahal, restoration of lime-plaster wall paintings, and stabilization of the suspension bridge—Moti Bagh Palace continues to serve as both a functional civic center and a preserved monument of Punjab's architectural heritage.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moti_Bagh_Palace
https://www.hindustantimes.com/assembly-elections/holi-diwali-come-together-at-new-moti-bagh-palace-in-patiala/story-dS4L1XpSQstqmwLHchT1AL.html
Additional references:
Michell, George, and Philip H. Davies. The Penguin Guide to the Monuments of India, Volume 2: Islamic, Rajput, European. Viking, 1989.
Natwar-Singh, K. The Magnificent Maharaja: The Life and Times of Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala (1891–1938). HarperCollins Publishers India, 1998.
Punjab Heritage and Tourism Promotion Board (PHTPB). District Archaeological and Cultural Heritage Reports: Patiala District. Department of Cultural Affairs, Government of Punjab, 2020.
K. N. Jayaraman (Author: navrangindia.blogspot.com )
