Mubarak Mandi is a palace on the banks of River Tawi in Jammu city whose foundation was laid down by Raja Dhruv Dev(1707-1733) of Dev Dynasty. The Dev Dynasty ruled Jammu province for about 984 years from 840 CE to 1816.
Thereafter many more palaces were added to the complex by various Dogri rulers. Maharaja Gulab Singh(1792-1856) added three mansions on the northern side of the complex. Maharaja Ranbir Singh ( 1856-1885 ) build his own palace and a palace for the queens on the north eastern side with a paranoiac view of river Tawi. Golem’s Ghar and Sheesh Mehal for his queens and three palaces for his three sons were the most prominent contributions by the Maharaja. Most of the government functionaries and public gatherings use to happen in this complex. Maharaja Pratap Singh also added more palace and administrative buildings along with renovating the pink hall, green hall, and central pavilion.It was the royal residence of the Dogra Dynasty till 1925 when Maharaja Hari Singh moved his residence to Amar Mahal on the north of Mubarak Mandi Complex close to Manda Hill.
Mubarak Mandi darbar complex spreads over 120 kanals of land. Its architecture is a blend of Rajasthani, Mughal and European Architecture. A mixture of surimi powder, lime, husk and black gram were used as cementing material in the construction of this complex. The complex had three main gates, one at Chowk Chabutra, second at Panjtirthi and the third from Pakki dakki side. In and around Mubarak Mandi various artisans, jewellers and courtiers were living in Pakki Dakki, Jain Bazar, Purani Mandi Mastgarh, Dalpatian , Talab Khati ka etc. Most of the workers living in the locality were either courtiers or working as blacksmiths, weavers, potters, leather workers, metal workers, and masons. Markets were established at Lakhdatta bazar and Fattu Chowgan. You will find big mansions of the courtiers outside the Mubarak Mandi Complex.
Mubarak Mandi Complex was in great shape till 1947 when the Dogri dynasty was in power. With the accession of J&K with India the sad story of Mubarak Mandi Palace begins. When the power shifted to Srinagar due to , the condition of the magnificent palace deteriorated and it depicted a murky picture of the Kashmir based politicians starting from Sheikh Abdullah. Forced expatriation of the last Maharaja of J&K to Mumbai brought troubles for the dogra heritage, culture and dogri speaking people in the erstwhile state. Last 70 years of multiple fire accidents and using the Mubarak Mandi Complex for government offices a lot of damage happened. This shows that the Kashmir based leaders were never serious about the upkeep of the grand palace complex but their intention was always to misuse and destroy the rich heritage of Dogri Empire. Important structures like Gole Ghar, Rani Bhandrali Palace, Maharani Charaki Palace,Darbar Hall, Hawa Mahal, Green Hall, Grey Hall, Raja Amar Singh Palace, Gharvi Ghana and Gulabi Dewan Khana have either crumbled or are in pathetic state due to utter neglect.Royal Treasury Building is a heap of debris, Maharaja Pratap Singh’s Palace has turned into ruins and some floors of Gole Ghar have completely collapsed.State government ruined the complex for more than 50 years and only after the estates department declared the complex unsafe government offices moved out of this heritage building.
Many schools and other businesses have come up in these palaces, mansions and complexes and in many cases the original architecture is altered and the very essence of the heritage buildings and sites is lost. It is a colossal failure of the administration and Mubarak Mandi palaces complex and adjoining areas are misused and the dogra heritage is endangered by inexperienced renovations and altercations. Immediately after the accession of J&K to India Mubarak Mandi Palaces Complex was used by the state government as secretariat . The essence and the architecture of the complex was destroyed by various departments to accommodate files and employees. J&K High court and other district courts were also functioning from the same complex. Decorated mirrors on the walls of Sheesh Mahal , French paintings on the walls and Italian marble cracked and crumbled. Mubarak Mandi complex was not renovated like any other heritage site but fires, cement plastering, white wash, earthquakes and a totally insensitive approach was witnessed. It destroyed the lotus flower style domes, paintings, pillars and other things of great importance were destroyed. Crores of rupees was spend on it for namesake but nothing concrete happened as far as upkeep of this Dogra heritage was concerned. There is growth of shrubs which is running the structure and the ceiling is leaking as well.
Restoration budget of this heritage site is approximately 300 crores.During the past 10 years more than 20 crores is released under different departments. There is a mass misconduct and a dillydallying attitude of the administration towards the restoration and upkeep of the complex. There is definitely something which is fishy and the administration want to hide it because of which suddenly there are rumors of leasing a part of the Mubarak Mandi palaces Complex as a Heritage Hotel. Currently Mubarak Mandi Heritage Society is looking after the restoration work of the structures still erect but can tumbledown anytime. The delay is very much evident in administration’s approach and we the descendants of the Dogra Dynasty must rise and spread awareness for protecting our heritage. Our heritage is our identity and we must do everything to protect it from the nefarious designs of those who want to erase the rich Dogri history and its heritage. The intellectuals, writers and the civil society has to join hands and help protect the dwindling structure.
Recently there were rumors that a part of Mubarak Mandi Complex will be leased to a private party to build a heritage hotel. JPPM has serious reservations as far as the privatization of the complex is concerned. Rather than restoring and renovating the complex and protecting the heritage of the dogras the administration is giving it on lease. This must be converted into a tourist attraction with immediate effects. We must have an entry fee and it will definitely help the heritage tourism in Jammu. Please let us know your view points and suggestions.
Few Glimpses of the Mubarak Mandi Palaces Complex
