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{{Short description|Sikh-era gardens and palace}}
{{Other places|Ram Bagh (disambiguation){{!}}Ram Bagh}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=March 2018}}
{{Infobox building
| name = Ram Bagh Mahal
| image = Summer Palace of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, Amritsar, Punjab,India.jpg
| caption = Ram Bagh Palace, Amritsar
| map_type =
| coordinates = {{coord|31.3818|74.5245|region:IN-RJ|display=inline}}
| location_town = Ram Bagh Palace, [[Amritsar]] [[Punjab, India|Punjab]].
| location_country = [[India]]
| architect =
| client = [[Faqir-Aziz-ul- Din]] [[Desa Singh]], [[Lehna Singh Majithia]]
| engineer =
| construction_start_date =
| completion_date = 1831
| date_demolished =
| cost = Rs 125000
| structural_system = Red Stone
| style = [[Sikh architecture]]
| size =
}}

'''Ram Bagh''' is a garden built during the reign of [[Maharaja Ranjit Singh]] in [[Amritsar]], [[Punjab, India]]. '''Ram Bagh palace''' also known as '''Ram Bagh Mahal''', is a palace situated in the centre of this garden, which was used as the summer residence of Ranjit Singh. It was completed in 1831 and is named after the fourth [[Sikh Guru|guru of the Sikhs]], [[Guru Ram Das]], who founded the city of Amritsar. The whole Ram Bagh complex including the palace and other monuments is both a [[State Protected Monuments of India|state protected monument]] and a [[Monuments of National Importance of India|monument of national importance]]. The complex is also at the centre of a long drawn legal battle, which has adversely affected its conservation and restoration.<ref name=Trib>{{cite news|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2007/20070812/spectrum/main1.htm|title=Clubs battle spades / Reviving Ram Bagh|newspaper=The Tribune|location=India|date=12 August 2007|accessdate=20 March 2018 }}</ref>

==History==
[[File:Ram bagh.jpg|thumb|Ram Bagh entrance, photographed 1858-60]]
[[File:Description written during British Period about summer palace of Maharaja Ranjit Singh,Amritsar,Punjab,India.jpg|thumb|British era plaque at the palace in Ram Bagh]]
Maharaja Ranjit Singh had a deep interest in the development and beautification of various areas under his rule. Amritsar being the spiritual and cultural centre of [[Sikhism]], and located close to Ranjit Singh's capital, was visited often by him. Thus a palace, with a sprawling garden following the [[Mughal architecture|Mughal]] pattern of [[Shalimar Gardens, Lahore|Shalimar Bagh]] in [[Lahore]], was built to serve as residence of the Maharaja in the city. Construction began in 1819 and continued till 1831.

After the death of Maharaja Ranjit Singh and the subsequent collapse of the [[Sikh empire]], the garden and its buildings were taken over by [[British Raj|the British]]. The garden was renamed Company Bagh after British annexation.<ref name="Jaiswar">{{cite web|url=https://m.tribuneindia.com/news/amritsar/deorhi-in-historic-ram-bagh-cries-for-attention-241991|title=Deorhi in Amritsar's historic Ram Bagh cries for attention|last=Jaiswar|first=PK|publisher=The Tribune|date=20 April 2021|accessdate=18 November 2021}}</ref> The British leased several buildings in the complex to three elite clubs called the Amritsar Club, Lumsden Club and Service Club.<ref name=InEx>{{cite web|first=Kamaldeep|last=Brar|title=Not far from Jallianwala Bagh, restoration of Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s palace buried in indifference|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chandigarh/not-far-from-jallianwala-bagh-restoration-of-maharaja-ranjit-singhs-palace-buried-in-indifference-7499985|publisher=Indian Express|date=10 September 2021|access-date=18 November 2021}}</ref> These clubs continued to occupy them after the end of British rule.

In 1997, the entire complex including the Palace as well as other buildings and monuments were declared ‘protected’ by the state government, due to threats such as encroachment and lack of conservation.<ref name=Trib /> Following this, the complex was declared a [[Monument of National Importance]] by the central government in 2004.

== Administration and conservation ==
The garden is under the administration of the Municipal Corporation of the city. However, the restoration and conservation works are done by the [[Archeological Survey of India]]. Some buildings are in the possession of three private elite clubs, to whom these buildings were leased by the British. The Municipal Corporation claims that the lease has ended. A case to remove these buildings from the occupation of the clubs is pending before the [[Punjab and Haryana High Court]].<ref name=InEx/> NGOs have also pleaded for the transfer of the possession of the garden from MC to ASI.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/amritsar/ngo-wants-asi-to-take-over-summer-palace-205228|title=NGO wants ASI to take over summer palace|newspaper=The Tribune|date=6 March 2016|accessdate=18 November 2021}}</ref>

==Major structures==
===Summer Palace===
The main summer palace building is located in the centre of the garden. It has two storeys and a basement, and was used as residence of the Maharaja in summers when he would most often visit the city.
===Hammam===
To the northwest of the main palace lies a ''hammam-ghar'' or bath-house. A large pool is located inside the hammam.<ref name="Tribune">{{cite web|title=The end? Wrapped in beauty of rich flora and fauna, the scenic Ram Bagh has been tinkered with.|url=https://m.tribuneindia.com/news/amritsar/the-end-wrapped-in-beauty-of-rich-flora-and-fauna-the-scenic-ram-bagh-has-been-tinkered-with-237599|publisher=The Tribune|date=12 April 2021|accessdate=18 November 2021}}</ref>
[[File:Deorhi, main entrance to summer palace of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, Ram Bagh, Amritsar.jpg|thumb|Deorhi, main entrance to the summer palace.]]
===Deorhis===
A large and elaborate ''deorhi'' or gateway is located on the southern side of garden, facing towards the direction of the [[Harmandir Sahib]]. This served as the main entrance to the garden and palace. It was converted into a museum during British occupation of the gardens.<ref name="Tribune"/> A less elaborate second deorhi is located on the northern end.
===Walls and watchtowers===
The garden was originally enclosed by fourteen feet tall walls, though only the foundation of these walls survive today. Four watchtowers are located on the four corners or the garden.
===Macchi Ghar===
Located to the east of the summer palace, this building was originally a record room for Maharaja Ranjit Singh's darbar staff. It was turned into an aquarium during British occupation and thereafter called ''Macchi Ghar'' (fish house).
===Munshikhana===
It is located to the west of the summer palace and used by the staff of the Maharaja.
===Baradari===
A red sandstone ''[[Baradari (building)|baradari]]'' is located inside the garden.
[[File:Maharaja Ranjit Singh Memorial Panaroma (Amritsar, Punjab).jpg|thumb|Ranjit Singh Panorama, built in 2006.]]
===Other structures===
Over the years, several structures which were originally not part of the garden complex have come up inside the garden premises, including tennis courts, a skating rink, a children's park, food kiosks, and government offices.<ref name=Jaiswar/> Most of these structures date to the British occupation, but many were added post-[[Independence of India|independence]]. Many of these structures endanger the garden and its heritage buildings.<ref name=Jaiswar/> A memorial gallery called "Ranjit Singh Panorama" was built adjacent to the northwest corner of the garden in 2006.<ref>{{cite news|last=Paul|first=GS|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/features/ranjit-singh-panorama-in-bad-shape-269366|title=Ranjit Singh panorama in bad shape|newspaper=The Tribune|date=22 July 2016|accessdate=18 November 2021}}</ref>

==Gallery==
<gallery mode="packed" heights="150px">
File:Entrance gate of Rambagh palace, Amritsar, Punjab, India.jpg|Ram Bagh Deorhi, Amritsar
File:Front view of summer palace of Ranjit Singh, the founder Sikh Empire, Amritsar.jpg|Front view.
File:Summer palace of Ranjit Singh, the founder Sikh Empire, Amritsar.jpg|Left and front Side view.
File:Left side view of Summer palace of Ranjit Singh, the founder Sikh Empire, Amritsar.jpg|Left side view.
File:Side view of Summer palace of Ranjit Singh, the founder Sikh Empire, Amritsar.jpg|Left and back view.
File:Architect designing of balcony ,summer palace of Maharaja Ranjit Singh ,Amritsar, Punjab,India.jpg|Balcony.
File:Architect designing of summer palace of Maharaja Ranjit Singh ,Amritsar, Punjab,India.jpg|Grill on window.
File:Interior designing of summer palace of Ranjit Singh, the founder Sikh Empire, Amritsar.jpg|Hallway.
File:Interior design of summer palace of Ranjit Singh, the founder Sikh Empire, Amritsar.jpg|Interior design.
File:Description about Rambagh complex cum palace during British perod, Amritsar,India.jpg|museum
</gallery>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Monuments and memorials in Punjab, India]]
[[Category:Amritsar district]]
[[Category:Palaces in Punjab, India]]

Ram Bagh, Amritsar - Revision history

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