Rang Mahal established in a Surara Mohalla,was founded by Raja Umed Singh.Once the resident of a division of the ruling reigns this amazing palace is a mixture of British and Mughal style architecture.This beautiful architecture or culture attracts towards the visitors.This 18th century monument has the walls that are wizened with fine patterns of Punjab hill style wall paintings,which portray the life of Lord Krishna.
A large number of ornamental and vibrant wall paintings have been separated and sent to the Delhi National Museum.The Rang Mahal the Himachal Emporium or the old palace houses which opens between 10 am to 1 pm and 2 pm to 5 pm from Monday to Saturday.The Emporium is a shopper’s pleasure,which sells best or outstanding work items like hand made rumals,shawls made in wooden looms and chapels.
Rang Mahal is one of the largest monument of the zone which is made by using bricks.It exhibits a fusion of Mughal and British architectures.Raja Umed Singh of Chamba who laid the foundation stone of the palace.The structure was accomplished in the year 1860 under Raj Sri Singh,who created the southern part of the palace.
The palace had painted doors and paintings that hanging on the walls of the palace,which are preserved at the Bhuri Singh Museum of Chamba.Some of the artwork and traditional objects are on display at the National Museum,New Delhi. Once a residence of the ruling family,it has now been taken over by the Handicrafts Department of the State Government.This department produces lots of things that present the art and culture of the British time.It includes a wide variety of shoes,slippers and handkerchiefs.
The royal family could like to live in this beautiful Rang Mahal Palace.They used as a residence and its fort looks like are seen justified as a Royal deposits and treasury were on its western side.If you take a round inside the palace you will see the difference in the way the western side is constructed as compared to the rest of the palace. The Palace was converted into a women’s residence for some years but now is the location of the Himachal Emporium. Many of the wall paintings from the Rang Mahal have been taken down and are displayed in Delhi and the Bhuri Singh Museum.The Rang Mahal houses the Himachal Emporium and the Bhuri Singh Museum which has a rich collection of Holy scriptures,manuscripts,crafts,paintings,coins and old jewelry.
Apart from the paintings, other items are on display that included embroidered Rumals of Chamba,coins,hill jewelry and costumes – both traditional and royal,arms and armor,musical instruments and various decorative or ornamental objects.Some of the royal rooms are now converted into workshops for shoemakers,embroiderers and other local craftsmen and in addition to watching them at work you can also purchase them at fair prices.Look out for the rumals-handkerchief-like small pieces of cloth which are finely embroidered and make beautiful gifts.