Moti Mahal

Moti Mahal

Moti Mahal, located in Jammu's tranquil surroundings, is a reminder of the area's rich cultural past. During Dogra Raja's rule of the Poonch principality, from 1926 to 1936, the Moti Mahal stands as one of the most magnificent buildings in Poonch. Over 145 kanals of land make up the complex. The completion of the opulent, alluring, and traditional Mahal (Palace), with its Scottish architectural style and ivy-covered walls, cost Rs 9.01 lac at that time. Under the direction of Mr. Anderson, an English engineer, Raja Sukhdev Singh began construction on the palace, which Raja Jagat Dev Singh finished. The Mahal is located on the bank of Betar Nullah in the northwest corner of Poonch Town. Raja Sukhdev Singh, who was crowned Raja of Poonch in 1922 and had a passion for both architecture and culture, started building the Mahal. He was sent to England to study administrative matters. Upon his return in 1925, he was inspired by the English royal palaces and chose to construct a contemporary palace in the English/Scottish country estate style. The Raja placed the foundation stone on February 15, 1926. A proposal was made to name the Mahal after Raja Moti Singh, the first Dogra ruler of Poonch. The Prime Minister of Khalsa Darbar, Raja Dhayan Singh's son, was Raja Moti Singh. The Tarluti villager completed Kashmiri wood work on a building, impressing Raja Jagat Dev who rewarded him and sent his son Ibrahim Khan to England. After returning, he became the first president of Azad Kashmir Govt. In addition to its stunning architecture, Moti Mahal is particularly dear to the people who live there. It promoted a feeling of community among the Poonch residents by acting as a hub for social and cultural events. Moti Mahal offers a history enthusiast or anyone looking for a quick peek into the past an amazing trip through time.