On our way
back from the fort, we planned to visit the Sadiqgarh Mahal, one of the many
palaces of Nawabs. It’s all white with typical architectural design of nawabs.
This palace is not that well maintained comparatively. There was a time when
Ghilaf-e-Ka’ba was prepared there, and the old ones were displayed in the mahal;
and this was an official and important mahal of Nawabs. But now there ain’t no
electricity and so many parts are somewhat worn out. No maintenance is done of
the outside ground either. It now looks haunted at night despite all the
grandeur that’s still intact.
Next
evening, we visited the other palaces of nawabs. Most famous and overrated is
Noor Mahal, where I believe others are more beautiful. Actually, all of these
palaces are now under the custody of military, and only Noor Mahal is open for public.
Anyway,
using our army resources we easily got access to the other palaces. First we
visited Darbar Mahal. You might have seen it already in the film, Punjab Nahi
Jaon Gi, that was shot in this palace. It has a very traditionally contemporary
design. Elegantly simple yet intricate.
Other than
the exterior and interior, what I loved the most were those small pelicans
sculptured everywhere. Pelican was symbolic of nawabs for their
self-sufficiency. It is said that they can die but can’t rely or depend on
others.
Opposite to
Darbar mahal is Nishat mahal. Not as grand but equally beautiful. It is like a
big barahdari with wide baramdah and arches. Its rooms contain
archives of nawabs and Pakistan military. There was a third palace in the area
too, named Farrukh mahal but we didn’t visit that.
Overall, I
love the lighting of the whole place; highlighting all the major architectural
features of each mahal. These are now converted into offices and rest houses
and otherwise a restricted area. If you can, I must suggest you all to visit
them all.
Rating
Site: 9.5/10
Accessibility: 10/10
Services: 9/10
Staff: 7/10
Market: 8/10
Resourcefulness: 8/10
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