>Ashurd335 at 05:30, 3 July 2021

2021-07-03T05:30:52Z

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[[File:Jal Mahal of Narnaul,Haryana, India..JPG|thumb|The Jal Mahal in Narnaul, India]]
The '''Jal Mahal''', also known as the '''Jal Mahal of Narnaul''' or the '''Water Palace''', is a late 16th century [[palace]], [[fortification]], and [[Artificial Lake|artificial lake]] located in [[Narnaul]], [[Haryana]]. Built by a [[Mughal Empire|Mughal]] governor of Narnaul, the structure currently serves as a tourist attraction.

== Description ==
The Jal Mahal was built in 1591 AD by [[Shah Quli Khan (governor)|Shah Quli Khan]], a member of the nobility of the Mughal empire and the governor of Narnaul. Khan was a protegee of [[Bairam Khan]], an important official in the Mughal court and one-time [[regent]] of the empire.<ref>Alexander Mikaberidze, (2011). ''Conflict and Conquest in the Islamic World a Historical Encyclopedia''. Santa Barbara: ABC-Clio; p. 707. {{ISBN|9781598843378}}.</ref><ref name=":0" /> He was also a successful military commander who served in the Mughal army under [[Akbar|Akbar the Great]]. The campaigns of Akbar to conquer northern India made Khan wealthy, and the commander distinguished himself by wounding the [[Sur Empire|Suri]] general [[Hemu]] at the [[Second Battle of Panipat]]. In gratitude for Khan's service, Akbar granted him titles, wealth, and appointed him as the governor of Narnaul.<ref name=":0" />

In addition to being a competent military leader, Khan was a noted architectural patron.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3ctLNvx68hIC&q=Shah+Quli+Khan&pg=PA83|title=Architecture of Mughal India|last=Asher|first=Catherine B.|date=1992-09-24|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=9780521267281|language=en}}</ref> Upon being appointed governor, he began a series of construction projects in Narnaul; these projects, the first of which was a tomb (built 1574-75)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.indiantravelportal.com/haryana/monuments/shah-quli-khan-tomb.html|title=Shah Quli Khan Tomb,Monuments in Haryana,Ancient Shah Quli Khan Tomb Mounument Haryana|website=www.indiantravelportal.com|access-date=2018-11-04}}</ref> for himself, are described as being of a "personal sort" and as being different from some of his projects elsewhere in India;<ref name=":0" /> furthermore, Khan's projects were noteworthy enough to be recorded in contemporary Mughal texts.<ref name=":0" />

15 years after completing his tomb, Khan began to construct a new palace in Narnaul; this structure became what is now the Jal Mahal.<ref name=":0" /> Khan began by creating a square artificial lake (often described as a tank or reservoir<ref name=":0" />) with an island in the center; this lake was intended to form a "second Kausar" (the [[Pond of Abundance]] in [[Paradise in Islam|Muslim paradise]]) for the palace's occupants.<ref name=":0" /> Khan then ordered the construction of a fortified gateway on the northern edge of the lake. Following this, a causeway was built out into the center of the reservoir, where a foundation was laid and a palace built. The construction of the Jal Mahal, its gate, and the lake took 2-3 years. The palace itself was decorated in the style of other Mughal palaces and pavilions; the structure was adorned with art and carvings, including inscriptions that celebrated Khan's famous victory over Hemu.<ref name=":0" /> In terms of area, the compound encompasses 11 acres.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://mahendragarh.gov.in/tourist-place/jal-mahal/|title=Jal Mahal {{!}} District Mahendragarh|website=mahendragarh.gov.in|language=en-US|access-date=2018-11-04}}</ref>

In the centuries after its completion, the palace's pool gradually filled with earth. This debris was cleared in the late 20th century and the lake restored.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":0" />

== References ==
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[[Category:Palaces in Haryana]]

Jal Mahal (Narnaul) - Revision history

>Ashurd335 at 05:30, 3 July 2021