Ramnagar
Palace is also referred to as the Purana Mahal in
Jammu. It was constructed Maharaja Suchet Singh [AD 1801-44], who reigned over
Jammu & Kashmir between 1822 AD and 1844 AD. The Ramnagar Palace Complex is
situated in Ramnagar which is about 105 kms from the main town of Jammu.
The
Ramnagar Palace Complex is perched at an altitude of 828 meters or 2,716 feet
above surface level. It is surrounded by scenic landscapes that mainly comprise
of a hilly terrain dressed with roughly 90% of forested area with partial
secondary growth of scrubby plants seen in many parts of this region in Jammu.
Ramnagar
Palace is quite massive in its size featuring a huge complex fringed with rooms
that towers up to three floors. Every few rooms are intercepted by high walls
and a watch tower. Each room features a wooden ceiling and walls that are
elaborately adorned with stucco work and are painted with exquisite floral
patterns.The Nawa Mahal complex within the precincts of Ramnagar was
constructed by Maharaja Ram Singh, who was the son of Maharaja Ranbir Singh of
J&K. This Palace features an inner courtyard encircled by rooms comprising
of two entrances that face each other. Ramnagar was in fact the Capital town of
Bandralta who was last ruled by Raja Bhupendra Dev. He was overpowered by the
Sikh forces in 1821 after which he retired into uncertainty near Ambala, a
small town in the State of Haryana, India. Ramnagar Palace was in fact the
residential complex that was constructed during the mid 19th Century for the
use of Maharaja Suchet Singh, who was the brother of Maharaja Gulab Singh, a
prominent Dogra Ruler and Warrior, who fought well to overpower Raja Bhupendra
Dev. The Ramnagar Palace Complex comprises of two courtyards placed before the
buildings that showcase lofty corners. Behind these corners are large halls and
rooms fringed on either side of a central passage. The Darbar Hall, Sheesh
Mahal and Rang Mahal are seen towards the left side of the entrance while an
arcaded balcony with rooms at its rear is seen towards the right side of the
entrance gate.
The
Darbar Hall features mural paintings that depict themes from the epic Ramayana,
Bhagvad Gita and other Vedic Literatures. It also features battle scenes linked
to Maharaja Suchet Singh. The Sheesh Mahal lies adjacent to the Darbar hall and
reveals exquisite fine glass work that is arranged in various patterns and
designs and lithographs. The Sheesh Mahal Complex showcases strong Mughal and
Rajasthan architectural influences adorned with mirrors that beautifully
reflect the essence of art, culture and tradition of this region. This Palace
Complex is blessed with some of the finest wall paintings that belong to the
Pahari School or Hill Schools. One of the most distinct features within this
Palace is the existence of European style wall paintings that beautifully adorn
the walls. Mural paintings adorn the walls of Shish Mahal and are seen arranged
in panels that depict scenes of Krishna-Leela, Nayikas, and Raginis apart from
court and hunting escapade scenes. Adjacent to Sheesh Mahal is the decorative
walls of Rang Mahal or ‘Palace of Colors’.
The
Entrance Fee into the Ramnagar Palace Complex cost INR 5.00 per head,
applicable for citizens of India, and visitors from SAARC Countries [Bhutan,
Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka] including
visitors from BIMSTEC Countries [Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka,
and Thailand]. Other Nationalities need to pay US $2.00 or INR 100.00 per head,
whichever is applicable, while children up to the age of 15 years old enjoy
free entry.
Ramnagar Fort : Another historic building in the area just near the Sheesh
Mahal is the Ramnagar Fort overlooking Mansa Devi Nallah which was built by Raja Suchet Singh.
It is entered by a narrow bridge over the moat. The fort is square on plan with
polygonal bastions rising to three stories on four corners. The parapet wall
having machicolation in three tiers all along is further strengthened by
bastions in the middle of its back and inside are images of Ganesha, Durga and Hanuman. Around the central
courtyard are magazines, cells and moat about five meter deep around the fort.
The Archaeological Survey of India took over this fort in 1972 for its
renovation and protect it.
Smadhi : Ramnagar Fort behind the small mausoleum that
commemorates the spot on which Raja Suchet Singh's widow performed sati.
