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Kapurthala's
most famous building is the Jagatjit palace now the sainik School.
Constructed in 1906 by M.Marcel, it was inspired by the palaces
of Versailles and Fontainbleau and its Statuary and painted ceilings
represent the finest aspect of French aesthetics. Its interior
were decorated by the best Indian and European workmen. The Roofs
of the palace were made in the 'beaux-art' style of the 19th Century.
Of these the most impressive is the Mansard Roof, with a double
slope and oeil-de-boeuf windows like those of the Louvre. Lapis
lazulli pillers were imported from Italy, as was marble for the
fireplaces; luxuries Furniture came from France and Artists were
brought from there to paint the ceilings of the Reception Rooms.
It
also houses an interesting collection of artefacts including a
mechanical Clock which shows the moisture, the planetary positions,
the variying temperatures, and the timings in about 12 countries
of Europe and Asia, a rare pneumatic Orchestra eith an automatic
tune player. The Jagatjit palace enshrines the finest aspects
of Indian and French Aesthetics.
The
Maharaja's Place presently houses the prestigious Sainik School,
inaugurated in 1961, with the primiary aim of gropming young boys
for probable entry into the National Defance Academy
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TheDurbar Hall
Durbar
Hall was built in the Mughal Style in Architeture, one of
the most magnificent edifices in Northern India. The door
and window frames are in the Islamic style.The
western part of the Durbar Hall complex built in 1889 presently
houses the District Courts. The Archeological Survey of
India (ASI) is paying specail attention to restoring its
original beauty and grandeur. Presently, INTACH has undertaken
the restoration of the Durbar Hall.
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The
Jagatjit Club
Situated
on the prestigious Mall Road, this imposing Greaco-Roman
building makes one nostalgic about the glorious past of
Kapurthala. Its breath-taking facade standing on stately
and majestic Pillars transports one to an old time era of
sepia-tinted memories.
The
impressive Jagatjit Club on the Mall Road is impossible
to miss. It is magnificent Greek-inspired edifice which
is evocation of the Greco-Roman style. It has a served as
a church in the 19th century, a cinema in the 1940's and
a clubhouse ever since.
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The
Jubilee Hall
The
imposing Jubilee Hall was built to celebrate the Silver
Jubilee of Maharaja Jagatjit Singh's rule in 1916. The state
Assembly met here. It presently house a College which was
established by Raja Randhir Singh in 1856. It has been given
the new nomenclature of Nawab Jassa Singh Ahluwalia Govt.
College, though it is still popuraly known as Randhir College,
Kapurthala.The Jubilee Hall was once the 'Darbar Hall' of
Maharaja of Kapurthala; today an attraction for its lush
green ambience and feel good environment. The building is
now part of the N.J.S.A. Govt. College Complex.It started
as a leading Sanskrit institute, to promote education in
one of Punjab's richest state.
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