Moti Mahal, Poonch
The Moti Mahal is one of the finest buildings of Poonch constructed in between 1926-1936, 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 a 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 architecture,art, culture and construction. The young Raja was a man of 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. After his long stay in England and visit of Ladakh and Gilgit,Raja come back to Poonch in1925. Since he had seen number of royal palaces in England.Therefore on his return he decided to construct a modern palace .
He engaged a british company for the selection of site and blue print. The work was done by Er. J. R. Anderson and Er. D. M. Asarpata.The foundation stone was laid by the Raja on 15 Feb. 1926. The name of the Mahal was proposed after the name of 1st Dogra ruler Raja Moti Singh of Poonch. Raja Moti Singh was the son of Raja Dhayan Singh who was Prime Minister of Khalsa Darbar.
Moti Mahal was slackened badly due to earthquake of a005 and it suffured extensive damage on 1st and 2nd story while cracks were developed in the ground floor. The heritage experts and best architects were invited by the Govt for its repair and renovation . The work was started in 2006 and completed within one year without comromising the heritage of the building costing Rs 58 Lacs.
