{{Infobox building | name = Darbar Mahal <br>{{nq|دربار محل}} | image = File:Darbar Mahal (Palace), Bahawalpur.jpg | caption = Darbar Mahal was built in 1905 | coordinates = {{coord|29.3972|71.6998|region:PK|display=inline,title}} | location_town = Bahawalpur | location_country = {{flagicon|PAK}}Pakistan | architect = | completion_date = 1905 | architectural_style = Indo-Islamic Architecture | size = {{convert|44600|sqft|m2}} }} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2018}} {{Use Pakistani English|date=February 2018}}
'''Darbar Mahal''' is a palace in Bahawalpur, Punjab, Pakistan.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nation.com.pk/28-Mar-2017/darbar-mahal-keeps-princely-state-alive|title=Darbar Mahal keeps 'Princely State' alive|publisher=|access-date=27 December 2017|archive-date=31 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181231111722/https://nation.com.pk/28-Mar-2017/darbar-mahal-keeps-princely-state-alive|url-status=dead}}</ref> It was built to hold courtly events and government offices of the former princely state of Bahawalpur.<ref name=":03">{{Cite web|url=http://unesco.org.pk/culture/documents/publications/Cultural_Expressions.pdf|title=Cultural Expressions of South Punjab|last=Vandal|first=Sajida|date=2011|website=UNESCO|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120514195543/http://unesco.org.pk/culture/documents/publications/Cultural_Expressions.pdf |archive-date=14 May 2012 |access-date=21 April 2020}}</ref> The palace sits in a {{convert|75|acre|adj=on}} garden.<ref name=":0" /> The entire palace complex was leased to the armed forces beginning in 1966.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7HdbR1FrKvcC&q=Darbar+Mahal+Bahawalpur|title=The Herald|date=2012|publisher=Pakistan Herald Publications|language=en}}</ref> It currently serves as the Headquarters of 35 Infantry Division of Pakistan Army and is not open to the general public.<ref name="tribune.com.pk" />
==History== The palace was built by Bahawal Khan V.<ref name="tribune.com.pk">{{cite web|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/1389528/housing-heritage-bahawalpurs-darbar-mahal-stands-tall/|title=A century later, Bahawalpur's Darbar Mahal stands tall |website=The Express Tribune|date=21 April 2017|publisher=}}</ref> It was completed in 1905, and is near several other palaces within the Bahawalgarh Palace Complex, including the Nishat Mahal, Farrukh Mahal, and Gulzar Mahal.<ref name="tribune.com.pk" /><ref name=":03" /> Initially christened Mubarak Mahal, it not only offered a royal dwelling but also facilitated courtly events and administrative activities for the princely state of Bahawalpur.<ref name=":03" /><ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://doam.gov.pk/public/sites/10367|title=Darbar Mahal|website=doam.gov.pk}}</ref>
== Architecture == It is built in Sikh-Arabic architecture style which combines local, Sikh, and Arabic influences.<ref name="auto"/><ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/1389528/housing-heritage-bahawalpurs-darbar-mahal-stands-tall/|title=A century later, Bahawalpur's Darbar Mahal stands tall|date=2017-04-21|website=The Express Tribune|language=en|access-date=2020-04-21}}</ref>
The exterior has intricate carvings, fretwork, and stucco work. Each side of the building features a large entranceway and ''jharoka'' balconies.<ref name=":03" /> Constructed primarily from red bricks, the palace features a distinctive blend of red and white hues, with the latter accentuating the roofline and windows, while the former defines the exterior walls.<ref name="auto"/> The edifice stands out with its four interconnected domes, spacious interiors adorned with over 80 windows reflecting ancient Islamic traditions of the 14th century.<ref name="auto"/> The building's third floor is a Mughal-style ''chattri'' roof with each of its corners having a highly-stylized octagonal turret with Sikh-style domes.<ref name=":03" /> The interior of the palace is decorated with priceless paintings of the 19th century, traditional jewelry, ornaments, swords of the Nawab family.<ref name="auto"/> Lavish furnishings, rich carpets, and velvet curtains enhance its regal ambiance, along with ceramic-tiled archways and large lamps that augment the palace's grandeur.<ref name="auto"/>
== Gallery == <gallery widths="200" heights="150"> File:Darbar Mahal by Moiz.jpg|The building illuminated at night File:Darbar Mahal Mosque by Moiz.jpg|The Darbar Mahal Mosque File:Darbar Mahal- the inside again.jpg|Interior ceiling </gallery>
==References== {{reflist}}
{{Tourist attractions in Bahawalpur}}{{DEFAULTSORT:Darbar Mahal}} Category:Pakistan Army Category:Bahawalpur (princely state) Category:1905 establishments in British India Category:Palaces in Pakistan Category:Buildings and structures completed in 1905 Category:Tourist attractions in Bahawalpur Category:Buildings and structures in Bahawalpur
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