Punjab’s most well known princely states, Patiala has a history of flamboyant rulers who have given the city a vivid and rich heritage of art, architecture and lively anecdotes of royal life. The city is the capital of the Patiala district, to the southeast of Punjab, that borders the districts of Fatehgarh Sahib, Rupnagar, Sangrur and the state capital, Chandigarh. The Ghaggar River, believed to be a remnant of the ancient Sarawati River, flows through the district.

Patiala district is one of the famous princely states of erstwhile Punjab. Forming the south-eastern part of the state, it lies between 29°49’ and 30°47’ north latitude, 75°58’ and 76°54' east longitude.
It is surrounded by the districts of Fatehgarh Sahib & Rupnagar and the Union Territory of Chandigarh in the north, Sangrur district in the west, Ambala and Kurukshetra districts of neighbouring state of Haryana in the east and Kaithal district of Haryana in the south.

Tourist Attractions in Patiala

Qila Mubarak Complex

The Qila Mubarak was first developed as a mud fort or Kachi Garhi. Baba Ala Singh constructed the Pacca Qila after his conquest of Sirhind. From the receipts of the octroi on the merchandise passing through his territory of the G.T. road, he constructed the Qila. The present Qila is divided into two parts- one, the Qila Androon, the interior portion, was built by Ala Singh. Situated on a mound, it ascends as one moves into it. While the other i.e., between the Qila Androon and outer walls with the secretariat on the left and Darbar Hall on the right, was built by Maharaja Karam Singh. The Darbar Hall is now converted into a mini museum where rare arms and armours including a sword of Nadir Shah known as'Shikar Gah' are on display. Most precious pieces of art are the rich collection of tree-like chandeliers made of Bohemian cut-glass emitting prism like radiant splendour and sheen. To those interested in metallurgy and guns, a visit to the Cannon Park within the premises of the Qila Mubarak would certainly be a thrilling experience of life time. The murals inside the palaces are rare specimen of the Kangra and Rajasthan paintings.

The Qila Mubarak complex stands in 10-acre ground in the heart of the city, and contains the main palace or Qila Androon (literally,'inner fort'), the guesthouse or Ran Baas and the Darbar Hall. Outside the Qila are the Darshani Gate, a Shiva temple, and bazaar shops which border the streets that run around the Qila and sell precious ornaments, colorful hand-woven fabrics, ‘jootis’ and bright ‘Parandis’.

Qila Androon

The entrance is through an imposing gate. The architectural style of this palace is a synthesis of late Mughal and Rajasthani. The complex has 10 courtyards along the north - south axis and each courtyard is unique in size and character, some being broad, others very small and still others mere slits in the fabric of building.Though the Androon is a single interconnected building, it is spoken of as a series of palaces. Each set of rooms makes a cluster around a courtyard, and each carries a name: Sheesh Mahal, Toshakhana, Jalau Khana, Chand Mahal, Rang Mahal, Treasury and Prison. Ten of the rooms are painted with frescoes, or decorated intricately with mirror and gilt. In a tiny portion of the complex is a little British construction with Gothic arches, fire places made of marble and built-in toilets perched on the Mughal Rajasthani roof!. Burj Baba Ala Singh even today has a fire smoldering ever since the time of Baba Ala Singh, along with a flame brought by him from Jwalaji.

Rang Mahal and Sheesh Mahal

Maharaja Narendra Singh was a great patron of literature, music and fine arts. He invited many painters from Kangra and Rajasthan to paint the walls of Sheesh Mahal. Their works depicting the vision in poetry of Keshav, Surdas and Bihari, both in line and colour, are a treat to the eye of the beholder. The themes of these paintings embrace mythology, legends, Raga-Ragni, Nayak-Nayika and Bara-masa in Rajasthani style. These walls and ceilings are also rich in floral designs. The interior casts a Kaleidoscope phantasmagoria of myriad images and multi-coloured lights. The museum has a rich collection of miniature paintings of the middle of 19th century. Themes of these paintings are based on the Geet Gobinda or Jaya Deva's poetry. The Kangra paintings depicting the, Krishan Lila reflect the highest professional and delicate taste. Paintings displaying the Raga-mala of the Rajasthan schools and that of the Mughal give a visual meaning to the Ragas.

Ran-Baas

This building was probably a guest house. It has an imposing gateway and two courtyards, both with fountains and small tanks. A room in the first courtyard-with painted walls and a gilt throne-was probably for semi -formal audience. A few pavilions are set among painted walls on the upper storey. Facing each other across the courtyard are two exquisite chambers, one painted and the other decorated with mirror work.

Darbar Hall (Divan Khana)

Used for large audiences and important public occasions, the Darbar has been converted into a museum displaying dazzling chandeliers and armor, including the sword and dagger of Guru Gobind Singh and Nadir Shah's sword. The hall was built on a high plinth over a network of tunnels which were service conduits. The facade gives the impression of a double-storey building, with 'upper storey' windows and a balcony at the first floor level, but the delicately worked wood-and-glass doors open into a huge 15m-high chamber. At the far end is a raised platform, where the Maharaja sat . The wooden frame work of the ceiling holds decorated Plaster-of Paris tiles painted in Arabic style and the ceiling is hung with a fabled collection of chandeliers.

Jalau Khana and Sard Khana (Cool Room)

Both were much later constructions. The Jalau Khana is a small, two storeyed building with a central hall in late Colonial style, where regalia were displayed. The Sard Khan provided an escape from the summer heat. A deep well inside it acted as a wind tunnel, bringing cool air into the ground-floor rooms and the basement. Outside, there is a formal garden with waterways and fountains.

Lassi Khana (Kitchen)

Another small, two-storeyed building with a central courtyard and a well.It adjoins the Ran-bass, and a passage links it to the Qila Androon. Local residents say that at one time this kitchen had the capacity to serve nearly 35,000 people every day, but following an economy drive, the Lassi Khana restricted itself to serving only a modest 5,000 people.

Shahi Samadhan

The Samadhan, where Maharaja Rajinder Singh once built a garden, now holds cenotaphs of erstwhile rulers, looked after by a mahant.

Moti Bagh Palace

The next great architectural landmark is the Moti Bagh Palace constructed in 1847 by Maharaja Narendra Singh at a cost of Rs. 5 lakhs; Maharaja Narendra Singh was as great a builder as Swai Jai Singh of Jaipur. The Moti Bagh Palace was designed on the pattern of Shalimar Gardens of Lahore with terraces, water channels, Sheesh Mahal and beautiful garden. It is a four storeyed structure with massive stone-walls, arched openings, filtered and ornamental grills and crowning domes.

The rear part of the palace has been developed into an amusement park, which offers many attractions to the young and the old alike. In the foreground of the Sheesh Mahal, there is a huge tank with two towers on both sides. Along with it is the suspended rope bridge popularly known as Lakshman Jhula, which connects the palace with the Bansar Ghar housing the Natural History Gallery. Here the stuffed animals and birds are displayed. The rest of the palace now houses the most prestigious Subhash Chander Bose National Institute of Sports.

Lachman Jhoola

Across the small Lake in front of Sheesh Mahal is a magnificent suspension bridge which being a replica of the famous Lakshman Jhoola at Rishikesh, is also named as Lachman Jhoola. It links the Sheesh Mahal with the Banasar Ghar on the other side of the lake. The Banasar Ghar now houses the North Zone Cultural Center and a hall for setting up exhibitions.

Bir Moti Bagh

A 1,600-acre forest on the outskirts of Patiala, The Bir was originally the hunting preserve of the Maharaja. Most of the Bir is still forest, but parts of it house a zoo and a deer park, as well as a pilot project on medicinal plants.

Mall Road

Baradari is the colonial area of Patiala. On one side of Mall road is the Baradari, and on the other is the walled city. All along the vibrant Mall Road are fountains and beautiful paved walkways, as well as goverment offices (all buildings conforming to one architectural style), entertainment spots, including cinema theatres and the Rajendra tank, and temples. (The Rajendra Tank is actually a large lake which once attracted migratory birds in winters. Boating facilities are available here.)

Rajindera Kothi

Rajindera Kothi: Set in the heart of the Baradari Gardens, this late 19th Century Palace built in colonial style by Maharaja Rajindra Singh till recently housed Punjab States Archives. PUDA is planning to exploit this building as a potential Heritage Hotel.

Baradari Gardens

The Baradari gardens surround the Baradari palace located in the north of old Patiala city, just outside Sheranwala Gate. The gardens, laid under Maharaja Rajindera Singh were planted extensively rare trees and shrubs, dotted with impressive Colonial buildings and a marble statue of Maharaja Rajindera Singh and the Fern House. The 19th century Fern House, a replica of the one in Calcutta forms a unique attraction along with quaint Rink Hall.

Ijlas-e Khas

Intended to be the Administrative Secretariat of the princely state, this beautiful building now houses the offices of the Punjab State Electricity Board.

Gurudwara Dukhniwaran Sahib

The villagers of Lehal donated land for the modest Gurudwara built on this elevated site, said to have been visited by Guru Teg Bahadur. The legend is that anyone who prays at this Gurudwara is relieved of his suffering ('dukhniwaran'). A new bigger building is now being constructed.

Kali Temple

Maharaja Bhupinder Singh was inspired to build this temple and bring the 6-ft statue of Kali from Bengal to Patiala. This large complex attracts devotees, Hindu and Sikh, from distant places. A much older temple of Raj Rajeshwari is also situated in the center of this complex.

Qila Bahadurgarh

The ninth Guru Tegh Bahadur stayed at Saifabad during his travels. Originally known as Saifabad, it was renamed Bahadurgarh by Maharaja Amar Singh who reinforced and renovated it. The present fort dates back to Maharaja Karam Singh. He built a beautiful Gurudwara on the Patiala-Rajpura road (6 Km from Patiala City).

Panj Bali Gurdwara

Nawab Saif Khan, an admirer of Guru Teg Bahadur, Commemorated the guru's visit by building two gurudwaras, one inside the fort and the other across the road, now known as Panch Bali Gurudwara.

Maiji Di Sarai

This monument in the old city now houses the criminal investigation agency office.

Historical Places Surrounding Patiala

Banur

Situated on the Sukhna Nadi, a tributary of the Ghaggar, at a distance of nine miles north-east of Rajpura on the Rajpura-Chandigarh Road, Banur is an ancient town. Its ruins testify to its former grandeur and importance, but its history has been lost in oblivion. Its ancient name was Pushpa or Popa Nagri or Pushpawati-the City of Flowers, and it was famous for the scent of chambeli flowers grown in its numerous gardens. The place was also well known for its musicians. One Banno Chhimban, a washer woman, is mentioned as a great musician of the days of Akbar.
During the reign of Emperor Akbar, Banur became a Mahal of the Sarkar of Sirhind and continued to be so up to the beginning of the eighteenth century.

In addition to the tomb of Malik Suleman, the suburbs of Banur contain the ruins of an old imperial fort, popularly known as Zulmgarh, the citadel of tyranny, and of another fort of Banda Ali Beg of a more recent date.

Samana

Samana at a distance of 17 miles south-west of Patiala is a place of considerable antiquity. It traces its history to the days of Raja Jaipal who ruled over, among others, the territories of Bhatinda, Samana. It fell into the hands of Shahab-ud-Din Muhammad Gauri after the conquest of Ajmer and Delhi and was entrusted to Qutb-ud-Din Aibek in 1192, along with the territories of Ghuram and Sunam. With the increasing importance of Sirhind under the Mughals, Samana received a little set-back.

While Samana is said to be a place of saints and scholars during the Mughal days, it is notorious also for its professional executioners, who served at Delhi and Sirhind. Sayyad Jala-ud-Din, who executed Guru Teg Bahadur at Delhi in 1675 was from Samana. Beg brothers, who mercilessly butchered the younger sons of Guru Gobind Singh also belonged to Samana. This hated town was therefore one of the first places to have been sacked by Banda Bahadur. But the Mughals were yet too strong for the rising power of Sikhs and Samana had to be given up by them towards the end of 1710 AD.It was retaken in about 1742 AD by Baba Ala Singh, the founder of the Patiala ruling family and was recognized as a part of his territories by Ahamd Shah Durani.

Sanaur

The Town Sanour lies 4 miles South-east of Patiala. It lies on a high mound. The town is of some antiquity. In the time of Babar, Malik Baha-ud-Din Khokar became the chief of this pargana which was called Chaurasi, having 84 villages. In 1748, it came into the possession of Baba Ala Singh.

Ghuram (Kuhram or Kahram)

Situated in 30° 7' N and 76° 33' E 29 miles (slightly West) of Rajpura and 6 miles South (slightly East) of Patiala. Ghuram (Renamed Ramgarh) is a very ancient palace. An old tradition takes it back to the days of the Ramayana, being the abode of Rama’s maternal grandfather. The old ruins in its vicinity speak for its antiquity, though its early history has been long lost. During the days of Rajput Kings, Ghuram (Kuhram of the Persian Writers) was an important town with a strong fort to protect it.

During the fifties of the seventeenth century, Ghuram was held by Malhi Khan as a biswedar proprietor. He was a tyrant and was notorious for his extortions. Baba Ala Singh of Patiala had risen to eminence by now. He was a brave soldier and humane ruler and was looked upon by the oppressed people as source of timely help and consolation. The people of Ghuram came to Patiala and appealed to his noble wife, Mai Fato, for deliverance. Malhi Khan was dispossessed of Ghuram and it was taken under the direct control of Patiala. Maharaja Karam Singh of Patiala built a fort here and named it Ramgarh, evidently in memory of Rama of the Ramayana fame.