Historical Places in Jammu and Kashmir

  

 Historical Places in Jammu & Kashmir to Get Glimpses of Royal Past

Dotted with time-honored buildings, famous monuments, royal palaces, historical museums, and imperial gardens, Jammu and Kashmir is a perfect amalgamation of natural bounties and architectural marvels.

The historical places in Jammu and Kashmir are ideal spots to get glimpses of the rich cultural heritage of the bygone era. Sneak peek into the royal past and get in-depth information about the rich history of the region by visiting these popular destinations. The ancient sculptures and edifices of the state hold special significance.

The massive forts, ancient temples, and exquisite mosques enhance the charm and glory of Jammu and Kashmir. This mesmerizing state is not just a paradise for nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts but also a haven for history buffs.

From Dogra Dynasty to Mughals, the ruling history of the state is massive which can be witnessed in their old memorials and buildings. If you are looking to explore historical monuments in Jammu and Kashmir, then fret not! We have jotted down a list of popular historical and archeological places in Jammu and Kashmir that you can add to your itinerary to make your trip memorable.

7 Historical Monuments in Jammu & Kashmir

• Amar Mahal Palace, Jammu
• Mubarak Mandi, Jammu
• Bahu Fort, Jammu
• Akhnoor Fort, Jammu
• Pari Mahal, Srinagar
• Hari Parbat Fort, Srinagar
• Mughal Gardens, Srinagar

Take a look at the detailed information about these popular heritage places in Jammu and Kashmir:

1. Amar Mahal Palace, Jammu

Location: Palace Road, Karan Nagar, Jammu Tawi, Jammu and Kashmir

• Timings: 9 AM to 1 PM & 2 PM to 5 PM
• Entry Fees: INR 5 for children, INR 10 for adults, and INR 50 for foreigners

Built in the 19th – century on the right bank of the Tawi River, Amar Mahal Palace is dedicated to Raja Amar Singh. It was designed by the French architect on the lines of the French Chateau. This majestic palace is an erstwhile residence of the Dogra Dynasty, which now has been converted into a museum.

The complex comprises Hari Niwas Palace which is dedicated to Raja Hari Singh, the son of Raja Amar Singh. Hari Niwas Palace is converted into a heritage hotel that is an amazing place to get a sneak peek into the royal lifestyle of kings and queens of the bygone era.

Amar Mahal Palace is a treasure trove of information and houses 25,000 antique books and many rare artifacts. The museum also exhibits the gold throne which is 120 kg along with Pahari miniature and Kangra miniature paintings. With the backdrop of Shivalik hills, the grandeur of the Amar Mahal Palace intensifies and makes it among the best historical places in Jammu to explore during the trip to this enchanting city.

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2. Mubarak Mandi Palace, Jammu

Location: Panjtirthi, Jammu Tawi, Jammu and Kashmir

• Timings: 9 AM to 6 PM
• Entry Fees: Nil

The erstwhile residence of the maharaja of Jammu, Mubarak Mandi is an architectural marvel that was built during the times of the Dogra Dynasty reign. It was the main seat of the Maharaja Hari Singh till 1925 after which he moved to Hari Niwas Palace.

Overlooking the Tawi River, the Mubarak Mandi Palace complex comprises some of the buildings dated back to 1824. It took almost 150 years to make the Mubarak Mandi Palace which you can see today to be built by successive maharajas. The architectural style of the palace is a perfect blend of Rajasthani architecture, European baroque, and Mughal style.

Mubarak Mandi complex houses numerous architectural marvels including Darbar Hall, Pink Palace, Royal Court building, Rani Charak Palace, Hawa Mahal, and Toshakhana Palace. Dogra Art Museum is one of the prominent edifices in the complex, which houses a collection of miniature paintings and gold painted bow and arrows. This is among the top heritage places to visit in Jammu to witness the glorious past of the Dogra reign.

3. Bahu Fort, Jammu

Location: Gorkha Nagar, Jammu Tawi, Jammu and Kashmir

• Timings: 5 AM to 10 PM
• Entry Fees: INR 10 for adults, INR 5 for kids, and INR 5 (camera fees)

Bahu Fort is a historic fort of Jammu, which is nestled on the bank of the Tawi River. Constructed by Rajput Raja Bahu Lochan, Bahu Fort is believed to be a 3,000-year-old fort.

Encompassed by the lush forest that has been developed into a well-laid park, Bahu Fort houses an ancient temple that is one of the most revered shrines among the locals. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Kali, the incarnation of Goddess Parvati. The temple is locally known as ‘Baawe wali Maata’.

This majestic fort is dotted with a manicured terraced garden, which is fondly referred to as ‘Bagh-e-Bahu’. This fort was refurbished by Raja Gulab Singh of the Dogra Dynasty in the 19th century. He did some restoration work and renovation of the old structure to make it look more magnificent.

The aquarium near the fort is the new addition to the garden. This is the largest underground aquarium in the country and the impressive collection of fishes makes it among the popular places to visit in Jammu with kids.

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4. Akhnoor Fort, Jammu

Location: Akhnoor, Jammu, Jammu, and Kashmir

• Timings: 9 AM to 8 PM
• Entry Fees: Nil

Perched on a cliff and nestled on the bank of Chenab River, Akhnoor Fort features a two-storied palace with arches and murals. Built during the early 19th century, Akhnoor Fort is known for its exemplary Indian military architecture.

The construction of the fort was started by Raja Tez Singh and completed by his successor Raja Alam Singh in 1802. With the backdrop of majestic Shivalik hills, this mighty fort is established upon an ancient archeological town of Manda. There is a palace situated inside the fort complex, which is adorned with exquisite mural paintings and decked with decorative arches.

The archeological remains of the Harappan civilization have been collected by the archeologists from here. This fort has been deemed as a national monument and is protected by the Archeological Society of India. The historical and cultural significance of the enormous fort makes it among the most popular heritage sites of Jammu.

5. Pari Mahal, Srinagar

Location: Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir

• Timings: 9:30 AM to 7:30 PM
• Entry Fees: INR 20 per person

Locally known as Peer Mahal or the ‘Palace of the Fairies’, Pari Mahal was built in the mid-1600s as a library for Dara Shikoh, the eldest son of Shah Jahan. Located in the southwest direction of Dal Lake, Pari Mahal is a seven-terraced garden that is nestled in the lap of the Zabarwan mountain range.

It was built during the reign of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan and is a perfect example of Mughal architectural style. This historical monument site is known for lush greenery, colorful flowers, and exotic fruit plantations. The best time to visit Kashmir to explore Pari Mahal is from April to September. In this period, this monument was filled with lush greenery, making it more beautiful.

It also served as the school of astrology and astronomy for Prince Dara Shikoh. It is believed that the location on which the Pari Mahal has been built was the place where the Buddhist Monastery was established. Pari Mahal is constructed on the ruins of the monastery. With the backdrop of the mighty Himalayas and overlooking Dal Lake, Pari Mahal offers an enchanting view of the surroundings.

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6. Hari Parbat Fort

Location: Nohata, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir

• Timings: 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM
• Entry Fees: Nil

Perched on the majestic mountain of Hari Parbat, this massive fort was built during the Durrani Empire by Afghan Governor Atta Mohammad Khan in the 18th century. Overlooking the enchanting city of Srinagar, Hari Parbat Fort is also known as Koh-i-Maran. The complex of the fort comprises numerous structures including the shrines of Hindus, Sikhs, and Muslims.

The first fortification on the site was done by Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1590 but he did not succeed to build a fort here. You can witness the breathtaking beauty of the city from the fort.

There is a revered temple situated here, which is dedicated to Goddess Parvati and is known as Sharika Temple. It is a sacred shrine among Hindus and is the most visited place in Srinagar.

Gurudwara Chatti Patshahi located at the Kathi Darwaza is famous among Sikhs and is believed to be a place where Guru Har Gobind Singh Ji stays for a few days while traveling in Kashmir. Makhdoom Sahib, the shrine of Hamza Makhdoom who was dedicated to the Kashmiri Sufi Saint is among the revered shrine of Muslims.

7. Mughal Gardens, Srinagar

Location: Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir

• Timings: 9 AM to 7 PM
• Entry Fees: INR 20 for adults, INR 10 for children

Home to the most beautiful gardens in India, Srinagar is popular for Mughal Gardens that enhance the mesmerizing beauty of this scenic city. There are six gardens in Srinagar that was built by the Mughal due to which they are known as Mughal Gardens.

These are the popular historical sites of Kashmir that are frequented by tourists from all over the world. Shalimar Bagh, Nishat Bagh, Achabal Garden, Chashme Shahi, Verinag, and Pari Mahal. These outstanding gardens are amazing places to witness the glorious past and engineering skills of the bygone era.

The Mughals construct these gardens by making optimum use of resources and topography. All the gardens are terraced gardens and offer a rejuvenating environment for the people to soak in the scenic vistas. These lush green gardens dotted with the exquisite variety of trees and flowers are a treat to the eyes. These are the paradise for nature lovers and history buffs who can have a unique experience during their Kashmir trip.

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