The
main gateway into the Darbargadh Palace Complex.Home Indian Trips <<Previous Gujarat Next>>
The Darbargadh Palace Complex is one of the main features in Bhuj. The original buildings were started in 1548 by Rao Khengarji I after establishing Bhuj as the capital of his Princely State of Kutch and were periodically added to over the centuries. The two main parts of interest now are the Aina Mahal (Palace of Mirrors) built in 1752 and the Prag Mahal (New Palace) built in 1868. The oldest parts of the complex were vacated in the nineteenth century and after independence it became a private museum.
The earthquake in 2001 caused serious damage through out the Darbargadh complex, some buildings were destroyed, while others had severe damage. While some areas have reopened, restoration is on going but ,much of it may deteriorate further making restoration far more difficult. In an area so badly damaged other places have had a higher priority than an historical monument.
The photographs below show some of the exterior of the palace complex.
The
main gateway into the Darbargadh Palace Complex.
Photo:Corinne
A
view of the inside of the gateway from the first floor of the Prag Mahal
Part of the main walls now home to the local pigeons.
Evidence
of the damage from the earthquake is still very visible
Just
an interesting doorway.
