The architectural styles across the landscape of the country have been an exciting genre of their own. The definition of experimentation has been justified to the core as times changed, rulers reigned and craftsmanship evolved as a decree or a symbol of power.
One such practice that the Mughal era brought in was the extensive use of mirrors. Embedding them across the floor not only helped in the illusion of space but also brought in the dazzling a palace could pose for . The Sheesh Mahal situated in close proximity to the Taj Mahal in Agra was the first and still stands to be one of the finest works in the world of mirror-based art.
As times evolved, new architectural experiments took shape and gave birth to the Rajput style of mirror work, synonymous with forts across Jaipur and Jodhpur. The bright-colored canvases with mirrors further boosted the royalty and vibrance of the palaces in the state of Rajasthan.
Patiala was once a princely State and boasted of a rather significant dynasty that has long been forgotten.
Maharaja Narendra Singh gave it all in to build a sheesh mahal, a place that would serve as a pleasure complex for poets and artists around the world.
Inspired by Mughal-European styles of architecture with a tinge of Rajasthan’s spirit, the sheesh mahal was built ravishingly with a plan of artificial lakes, fountains, and even a suspension bridge(Lakshman jhoola; inspired by the one in Rishikesh).
As you approach the palace today in anticipation of witnessing the best of the Kangra and Rajasthani style of architecture here, you do get a jaw-dropping moment but all for the wrong reasons.
Wild willows, a cemented canal, a rusted bridge, and a ruined sight.
And the irony lies in the fact that the marble that was used in the construction was probably imported by the king centuries ago from the farthest of countries and complicated logistics still shines in shattered pieces across the palace grounds.
The palace is known to have hoisted some of the significant paintings of Kangra-Rajasthani styles including the portrayal of the infamous poem by Jaidev, Geet Govind none of which are now permissible for the public eye.
The mirrors here have been shattered enough to not reflect upon the rich heritage and livelihood the city of Patiala once embraced.
As Joothi and peg gain more precedence as successors to Patiala’s existence, heritage conservation is a real talk for today and if not acted upon can soon lead to times when tracing history would be difficult lest impossible.
Inquisitive? Check out Bhupinder Singh’s reign over Patiala 😉
