Prag Mahal
The Prag Mahal is a 19th-century palace located next to the Aina Mahal in Bhuj, Gujarat, India. It was commissioned by Rao Pragmalji II, and construction began in 1865.[1][2] It was designed by Colonel Henry Saint Wilkins in the Italian Gothic style,[3] and many Italian artisans were involved in its construction.[2] The palace artisans' wages were paid in gold coins.[4] Construction of the palace, which ultimately cost 3.1 million rupees,[2] was completed in 1879 during the regency of Khengarji III (Pragmalji II's son) following Pragmalji II's death in 1875.[1][5][6] The local Kutchi builder community were also involved in construction of Prag Mahal along with Colon Wilinks [7]
Notable features:
- The main hall, filled with decaying taxidermy[8]
- Durbar hall, with broken chandeliers and classical statues[9]
- Corinthian pillars[1]
- Jali work depicting European plants and animals[1]
- Small Hindu temple of carved stone in a courtyard behind the palace[3]
Scenes from the Bollywood blockbusters Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam and Lagaan, as well as a number of Gujarati films, were shot in the palace.[2][9]
The 2001 Gujarat earthquake severely damaged the palace.[10][11] In 2006, the palace was burglarized, with thieves stealing antiques worth millions of rupees and damaging other items throughout the palace.[2] Today, the palace is in a "ghostly", "forlorn" state.[9]
Visitors may enter the main palace halls and ascend the bell tower, which offers views of the city.[3][1]
References
- ^ a b c d e "All about Gujarat: Palaces". Gujarat State Portal.
- ^ a b c d e Haresh Pandya. "Burglars targetting Gujarat palaces". Rediff.com (September 04, 2006).
- ^ a b c "Prag Mahal". Gujarat Tourism.
- ^ K. S. Dilipsinh. Kutch in festival and custom. Har-Anand Publications (2004), p. 81. ISBN 9788124109984.
- ^ K. S. Dilipsinh. Kutch in festival and custom. Har-Anand Publications (2004), p. 22. ISBN 9788124109984.
- ^ Gazetteer of the Bombay Presidency, vol. 5. Government Central Press (1880), p. 254.
- ^ This palace was built for Rao Pragmalji II (1860-75) by the British architects and the Kutchi builders
- ^ Jane Yang. Let's Go India & Nepal. Let's Go (2003), pp. 218-19. ISBN 9780312320065.
- ^ a b c Joe Bindloss & Sarina Singh. India. Lonely Planet (2007), p. 760. ISBN 9781741043082.
- ^ Rabindra Seth. Tourism In India: An Overview, vol. 2. Gyan Publishing House (2005), p. 173. ISBN 9788178353289.
- ^ S.K. Agrawal. "Seismic rehabilitation of heritage buildings in India - problems and prospects". Structural Analysis of Historical Constructions (Claudio Modena, Paulo B. Lourenc̀¦o & P. Roca, eds.). Taylor & Francis (2004), p. 5. ISBN 9780415363792.