White Palace (Marghazar)

White Palace

(Marghazar)

·        White Palace (Marghazar)

The White Palace of Marghazar was in-built 1940 by the primary king of Swat, Miangul Abdul Wadud (Badshah Sahib) within the community of Marghazar settled at regarding thirteen kilometers away from Saidu Sharif. The name was given to the palace because it was engineered of white marble. The palace now serves as a hotel. The White Palace at Marghazar was the summer residence of the Wali of Swat, Miangul Jehanzeb. Located at seven,000 feet above sea level on Marghazar Hill, it was later converted into a tourist resort.[

·        History

Sufid Mahal Marghazar

The leafage of beautiful landscape persuaded King of Swat Miangul Abdul Wadud (Badshah Sahib) in 1935 to create a summer resort here. The King brought marble from Agra, bronze from Belgium and artisans from Turkey who designed and constructed the palace, completing it in 1941. It was first named Swatti Taj Mahal, later Motti Mahal and now Sufed Mahal (White Palace). Then it had been enriched with selective fauna and flora that created it a mini facility furthermore as mini installation.

·        Structure

There are 24 active spacious decorated rooms and the Royal Suite (ex-King’s bedroom) where Elizabeth II (Queen of England) and Prince Philip (Duke of Edinburgh) stayed for three days in 1961. There are two big conference halls where King Abdul Wadood used to hold cabinet meetings. There is King's lobby to own a stunning read of the garden field. On the right side, there is a king’s veranda to have a glimpse of a swirling stream of water. On the left side of palace is situated a six-roomed Lord's Block for the residence of ministers and advisors. On the higher portion of the palace, there is the eight-roomed Prince Block, it is an enclave in tree and shrubs. Climbing any stairs, there's a twelve-roomed Queen's block. King Abdul Wadood had 2 wives thus he engineered this block in manner that every adult female got three rooms, 3 servant rooms and a separate lawn in her share. The counterpart portion of second woman is duplicate of the primary one. In front of the field, there is a single balcony with marble benches and table with engraved paintings of grapes.

·        Raw materials

Sufid Mahal Marghazar night view

The material of White Palace was imported from Jaypure India, the same quarry that supplied marble to the Taj Mahal Agra. Chuna (lime) is used as binding material in place of cement. It is so compact to be drilled. The height of ceiling is 30–35 linear unit to present additional strength and chase away heat. Ceiling fans were foreign and put in in 1941 and ar still operating.

After the death of Miangul Wadood, Miangul Asfandyar Amir Zeb became the owner. Nowadays Miangul Shahriyar Amir Zeb is the owner. Queen Elizabeth II of England also visited the palace in 1961 and stayed here for three days. There is also a 200-year-old colossal chinar tree, serving as canopy for visitors.

The White Palace is currently regenerate into a building and has become a traveler attraction in summer.

·        See also

Swat District

Swat (princely state)

Miangul Jahanzeb

Marghazar

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