Soneri Mahal
LocationJaisingpura, Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India
Coordinates19°54′24″N 75°18′32″E / 19.90667°N 75.30889°E / 19.90667; 75.30889
FounderPahadsingh (Envoy of Shah Jahan)
Built1651 (1651)
Architectural style(s)Mughal and Rajput architecture
Soneri Mahal is located in Maharashtra
Soneri Mahal
Location in Maharashtra, India
Soneri Mahal is located in India
Soneri Mahal
Soneri Mahal (India)

Soneri Mahal (Marathi: सोनेरी महल; Marathi pronunciation: [soˑneˑriˑ m(ə)ˑhaːlˑ]; lit. "Golden Palace") is a historic monument located in Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India, situated in the Satmala mountain ranges. It is located in the vicinity of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University.[1] It currently houses the Maharashtra State Museum for Aurangabad.[2]

History

Historical records suggest that Shah Jahan had sent Pahadsingh and Jhunjharsingh to the Deccan.[3] During Aurangzeb's rule, Pahadsingh, with his valor and strategic skills, had demonstrated his loyalty to the Mughal Empire, with Pahadsingh relocating it to in Aurangabad in the Aurangzeb era. This historical account is further supported by the existence of a memorial dedicated to Bhau Lala Hardaul, a brother of Pahadsingh, on the outskirts of the building.

The palace was constructed between 1651 and 1653 AD, at an approximate cost of US$50,000. In 1934, the estimated value of the palace was assessed, and it was sold to the then Nizam of Hyderabad, Mir Mahbub Ali Pasha, for 26,400 rupees.[4]

Architecture

The main building lies across a hill and is surrounded by lush trees, gardens, and fields. The palace was said to feature paintings made of real gold, thus giving it its name. The entrance is a solidly built structure with fortified security features. The Hathikhana gate has ornate arches and is adorned with intricate carvings that enhance its aesthetic appeal.[5] From here, a central pathway leads to the main palace. On either side of this pathway are gardens.

In the middle of this pathway is a large rectangular water reservoir, which was reconstructed by craftsmen in 2001-2002 using principles of Mughal architecture to restore the historical authenticity of the site.

The Soneri Mahal is rectangular and symmetrical, with a raised platform. The ground floor features a columned balcony and four other openings. On the second floor, there is a central hall with four other openings. In the south–north direction lies a staircase in the southern part, above which lies a decorative pinnacle. The building is constructed using durable materials like stone, brick, and lime plaster.

The monument is an excellent example of the fusion of Rajput and Mughal architectural styles. It is a protected monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1962,[6][7] and it stands as a valuable piece of Maharashtra's architectural heritage. It has been the venue for several events, including the Ajanta-Ellora festival,[8][9] and more recently, as a part of India's G20 tourism drive[10] in Aurangabad. The palace also has a library and a small history museum displaying old statues, coins and ancient manuscripts.

Murals

Murals at Soneri Mahal

The murals depict the natural world. They incorporate elements of Mughal miniature paintings and are adorned with flowers, plants, and trees. Mughal paintings in the palace exhibit a profound understanding of botanical science with a depiction of traditional flora and fauna, including traditional flowers and fruits. The rose and lily flowers in the paintings display intricate details. The murals also make extensive use of bright and vibrant colors such as deep red, blue, green, yellow, white, and gold. The use of gold paint for certain elements on the murals gives them a metallic sheen. The linear perspective on some of the murals makes them appear lifelike.

Museum

The first-floor gallery of the palace houses the Regional Museum, which was established in 1979. This museum showcases a diverse collection of ancient artifacts across various categories. It includes ancient sculptures, paintings, coins, pottery, arms and armor, and more. It houses terracotta artifacts, wooden sculptures, and glass paintings, among other items, which were excavated from various sites in and around Marathwada. The second floor of the museum currently houses the office of the Assistant Curator of the Archaeology Department, Government of Maharashtra.

Lala Hardaul Samadhi

Lala Hardaul Samadhi, Soneri Mahal

Lala Hardaul was a freedom fighter and a skilled warrior, and the son of Bundelkhand's Orcha Narash Veeersingh. A samadhi (memorial) dedicated to him is located 50 meters away from the outer premises of the palace. The memorial is in the form of a square platform. This location in Bundelkhand's history is known for the extraordinary valor and bravery of Lala Hardaul. He is said to have fiercely resisted the Mughal authority and instilled fear in their ranks.

Hardaul's bravery and courage is still celebrated in the Bundelkhand region and elsewhere. His untimely demise is attributed to his consumption of poison on the occasion of Vijayadashami in 1631, fearing the impending capture by Mughal forces. His memorial contains an inscription in both Marathi and Urdu, which mention him by name.

Due to his significant role in history, the memorial has been declared a State Protected Monument by the Archaeology Department of the Government of Maharashtra and was recently renovated.[11]

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References

  1. ↑ Ross, Murray G. (1966). "Marathwada University". New Universities in the Modern World. pp. 105–120. doi:10.1007/978-1-349-81783-2_7. ISBN 978-1-349-81785-6.
  2. ↑ Sohoni, Pushkar (2016). "A Tale of Two Imperial Residences: Aurangzeb's Architectural Patronage". Journal of Islamic Architecture. 4 (2): 63–69. doi:10.18860/jia.v4i2.3514. S2CID 157970183. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  3. ↑ Bansod, Bhakti (March 2019). "A Review Paper on Aurangabad Tourism Foundation" (PDF). International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology. 8 (3): 271. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  4. ↑ "Soneri Mahal". Connecting Traveller. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  5. ↑ "Soneri Mahal" (PDF). Department of Archaeology, Government of Maharashtra. Archived from the original (PDF) on 9 September 2023. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  6. ↑ "Protected Monuments in Maharashtra". Archaeological Survey of India. Archived from the original on 9 September 2023. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  7. ↑ Lal, B. B. (1971). Indian Archaeology 1968-69: A review (PDF). Archaeological Survey of India. p. 104. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  8. ↑ Hajra, Vandita (2015). "Role of Indian folk culture in promotion of tourism in the country". Indian Journal of Research. 4 (2): 231–235. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  9. ↑ "Good response to heritage walk at Soneri Mahal". Times of India. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  10. ↑ "Maha: 17th century palace in Aurangabad gets new look with lights". Press Trust of India. 17 March 2023. Retrieved 8 September 2023.
  11. ↑ "10 Aurangabad monuments to get Rs 5.75 cr facelift". Press Trust of India. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
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