Juna Mahal
Juna Mahal, also known as the Old Palace or Garh Palace,[1] is a palace complex situated in the city of Dungarpur in the Indian state of Rajasthan. It is situated at the foothills of the Dhanmata Hill.[2] The property is still owned by the former royal family of Dungarpur.[3]
History
[edit]The first palace on the site was built in the late 13th century.[4][5] It was expanded over the centuries by successive Maharawals of Dungarpur, with additional rooms, wings, floors, courtyards, and fortifications, until it became a seven-story complex.[5][6][7] It is built on a high platform constructed from pareva stone.[6][8] Its rugged exterior gives it the appearance of a citadel.[6][8] The structure features fortified walls, watchtowers, and narrow corridors and doorways, all of which were designed to delay the enemy for as long as possible.[8] Over the course of several centuries, its walls were richly painted with murals; however, the earliest of these are unsigned.[9] During the reign of Maharawal Udai Singh II, several artistic works were undertaken at Juna Mahal.[9] From 1864 to 1875, an artist named Devji painted murals on its walls.[9] Later, from 1883 to 1886, the Nathu and Chhagan brothers from Udaipur were commissioned to repair and refurbish several areas of the palace.[9] Their work included the restoration of the Am Khas, a reception room, and the refurbishment of the Devji cut-glass inlay in the Shish ka Kamara, or glass room.[9] Their work was part of the preparations for the second marriage of Udai Singh's son, Khuman Singh, which occurred in 1886.[9] In later years, Udai's great-grandson, Maharawal Laxman Singh, invited two groups of artists from Nathdwara to work at Juna Mahal and decorate it.[9] In 1939, Laxman Singh called upon an artist named Kanhaiyalal from the Shrinathji Temple in Nathdwara to work at Juna Mahal.[9] Kanhaiyalal traveled to Dungarpur accompanied by another artist, Kajorimal.[9] During his time there, Kanhaiyalal primarily worked on the ground floor, including the Durbar Hall, Am Khas, and Shish ka Kamara, where he touched up and repaired damaged paintings.[9] In certain cases, he replaced the original murals with his own compositions.[9]
It was used until the mid-20th century, when the then Maharawal moved his residence from there to Udai Bilas Palace.[2][5]
It was included in the 2014 World Monuments Watch to highlight its historical and artistic significance and raise public awareness.[2][5]
Structures within the complex
[edit]Am Khas
[edit]Udai Singh II added Am Khas, a large audience hall, to the structure.[1] It served dual purposes: as the Diwan-i-Khas for receiving courtiers and state guests, and as the Diwan-i-Am, where members of the general public could present their grievances.[1] The hall is very conservative in style, with its ceiling supported by columns.[1] Adjacent to it is a Hingrat, a small personal chamber, whose surfaces are entirely covered in glass inlay work.[1] Adjacent to it is a Hingrat, a small personal chamber, with surfaces entirely covered in glass inlay work.[1][3] It also incorporates portraits of the Maharawals of Dungarpur, which are surrounded by floral and animal motifs.[3] The floor is laid with mirrored and painted tiles.[3]
Gallery
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View of the Juna Mahal -
View of the Juna Mahal -
View of the Juna Mahal -
View of the Juna Mahal -
View of the Juna Mahal -
Painting on a wall of the Juna Mahal -
Painting on a wall of the Juna Mahal -
View of the Juna Mahal -
View of the Juna Mahal
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f Tillotson, G. H. R. (Giles Henry Rupert) (1987). The Rajput palaces : the development of an architectural style, 1450-1750. Internet Archive. New Haven : Yale University Press. pp. 150–152. ISBN 978-0-300-03738-8.
- ^ a b c "The Juna Mahal at Dungarpur". Trotting on. 5 May 2020. Retrieved 23 November 2024.
- ^ a b c d Sethi, Sunil; von Schaewen, Deidi (1999). Indian Interiors (Midsize). Internet Archive. Taschen. pp. 156–160. ISBN 978-3-8228-2392-7.
- ^ Gupta, Sanjukta Das; Basu, Raj Sekhar (2012). Narratives from the Margins: Aspects of Adivasi History in India. Primus Books. pp. 128–131. ISBN 978-93-80607-10-8.
- ^ a b c d "Juna Mahal". World Monuments Fund. Retrieved 23 November 2024.
- ^ a b c Tourism, Rajasthan. "Dungarpur Tourism: Tourist Places in Dungarpur - Rajasthan Tourism". Rajasthan Tourism.
- ^ Leisure, Artisans of (25 August 2015). "Juna Mahal - Decorative Art in Rajasthan - Luxury India tours". Artisans of Leisure. Retrieved 23 November 2024.
- ^ a b c RajRAS (2 March 2018). Art Architecture & Culture of Rajasthan. RajRAS. p. 75.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Lyons, Tryna (2004). The Artists of Nathadwara: The Practice of Painting in Rajasthan. Indiana University Press. pp. 40–45. ISBN 978-0-253-34417-5.