Moti Mahal, Poonch

Moti Mahal is one of the finest buildings of Poonch constructed in between 1926-1936 AD during the period of Dogra Raja's of Poonch principality.The complex is spread over 145 Kanal land . At that time Rs 9.01 lac were incurred on completion of the glamorous ,attractive and classic Mahal (Palace) with Scottish style of Architect.The palace was started by Raja Sukhdev Singh under the supervision of an English Engineer Mr. Anderson and completed by Raja Jagat Dev Singh. The Mahal is situated on the North west corner of Poonch Town on the bank of Betar Nullah.

Raja Sukhdev Singh who has started the construction of the Mahal was very fond of art,culture and construction. The young Raja was having unique tastes .He was coronated on 17th March 1922 as Raja of Poonch at the age of 21 by Maharaja Partap Singh of Kashmir. But after sometime Raja Sukhdev Singh was found involved in a conspiracy against Kashmir Darbar hatched by local officers.Thus he was summoned at Srinagar and sent to England for study on Adminstrative matters. Contd.