From Shahpurabagh ,road to Patan Mahal (Kotputli) wasn’t very difficult, as it is not very far from Delhi, either way it was a 6 hour drive. There was lot of ambiguity within me with not many people knowing about the place until we reached Kotputli.
Located above the city of Patan is Patan Mahal, a delightful palace representing traditional Rajasthani architecture. The city dates back to the 12th century and has been home to the family of the descendants of the last Hindu Emperor of Delhi. Historically, Patan has been an important out-post for the capital, having played the backdrop for numerous wars featuring many ancient Northern rulers.
There is a kind of serenity and anonymity I felt around Patan Mahal, tucked away in a small village, Patan, Patan Mahal’s legacy,is nestled in a valley with a bird’s eye view of Badal Mahal palace and its 800 year fort. Retaining the old world charm, Rao Digvijay Singh has converted his inheritance into a private heritage home.
Walking through I came across beautiful paintings, epoch furniture which have been carefully restored along with every nook and cranny. I was told there are lot of surprises within the Mahal, like a room with a trapdoor, little doors and staircases that lead into the turrets and a gupt raasta to Badal Mahal through which his ancestors sneak off during one of the beleaguered battles.
Besides breathtaking view of Aravalis, the palace is encircled by a farm house,which is full of surprises for nature lovers; one can also go trekking to the fort or Badal Mahal Palace which has some awe-inspiring remains. As enchanting as they are, though, there is more to this most royal of region than its seemingly timeless architectural wonders
Patan is the site of one of the last great battles in Indian history. Called the Battle of Patan, it saw the Maratha Confedaracy pitted against the Rajputs of Jaipur and their Mughal allies in 1790. The chief of the clan is the Rao of Patan, and he is considered to be the direct in descent from the last Hindu Emperor Anang Pal Tomar II the ruler of Delhi before Prithviraj Chauhan.
Patan Mahal is a place worth escaping from the rat race and convincing yourself that’s what makes you happy, but it’s important to realize that your stressors are entirely self-inflicted.
Blogged by – Deepa Srivastava Kumar
