Kapurthala Travel Guide
Close to Jalandhar, Kapurthala was once Fateh Singh Ahluwalia's royal
capital. Kapurthala was a 13-gun-salute Sikh princely state that spread
across about 650 sq miles. Named after its founder Nawab Kapur Singh,
this capital town of an erstwhile princely state is situated towards the
west of Jalandhar City at a distance of 19 kms. It is now the
headquarters of the district in Punjab with the same territory.
Originally founded by Nawab Kapoor Singh. It was made the capital of a
new State founded by S. Fateh Singh Ahluwalia. It is a city of beautiful
buildings and boulevards. Panch Mandir, Moorish Mosque, Shalimar Garden,
Jagjit Palace (now Sainik School) have few equals in design and
construction
Kapurthala is a city with a colourful past. The capital of the
erstwhile Kapurthala State, the city is the headquarter of the district
by the same name and is located nine kilometres away from Jalandhar
City. The Maharajas of kapurthala were renowned for their tastes and
many of them were influenced by western fashions and trends. Perhaps the
most colourful of them was Maharaja Jagat Singh who is believed to have
been 'one of the most enlightened of the Hindu princes' in
pre-independent India.
Tourist Attractions:
The Sainik School
This is also known as Jagatjit Palace. Maharaja Jagatjit's palace and
gardens were modeled on Versailles. He hired a French architect M.
Marcel. It was built in renaissance style with the sunken park in the
front (Known as Baija) and resembles thef Palace of Versailles. The
construction of this palace took roughly eight years(1900-1908).The
interior decoration of the palace, which is unique of its kind in India
was carried out by expert European and Indian workmen. The great Darbar
Hall is one of the finest in India. The palace is full of imported
European masterpieces.
The Moorish Mosque
The Moorish Mosque is one of the most historic as well as unique
building situated in Kapurthala. It was built underthe aegis of Maharaja
Jagatjit Singh Bahadur and designed by the famous French architect M.
Manteaux. This mosque is patterned after the Qutbya Mosque on Morocco.
It has a large compound paved with pure white Marble.This Mosque bears
an eternal testimony to the erstwhile ruler's secular views and
religious tolerance.
The Jagatjit Palace
The Jagatjit Palace now housing the Sainik School is a remarkable
building which harmonises.
The Kachehri
The Kachehri --is a historic building is situated in the middle of
City. It is very good piece of Art and was built by Maharaja Fateh
Singh. Many government offices are locatedin this building. Different
halls of the edifice depict the former rulers'passionate love for Art.
There is also a bronze statue of Maharaja Fateh Singh inside the
premises.
Shalimar Garden
The Shalimar Garden, is a lovely small garden with a swimming pool and
a library having 'Samadhis' (with excellent filigree work) of the former
Rulers Kapurthala State.
Kanjli Wetland :
A few miles from Kapurthala is the rivulet of Bein,which is surrounded
by natural scenery. Villa Buona Vista, built on the banks of the 'Bein'
is the residence of H.H. the Ex-Maharaja of Kapurthala. Nearby is the
Kanjli Lake, a beautiful home of migratory birds in the winter. The
place has all the infrastructure for a memorable fishing and boating
holiday for the tourists.
The Panj Mandir
The Panj Mandir built during the reign of Sardar Fateh Singh, has great
historical importance and contains several amazing idols.It is the
second temple inIndia where the idol of 'Surya'(sun) is illumined
directly by Sun every morning .There are several other smaller temples
dedicated to diverse deities. Another amazing fact is that from the main
silver door of the temple a devotee can pay obeisance to every idol
within.This temple also possesses a very rare idol of Brahma-the creator
of the universe.
