The Prag Mahal is a 19th-century palace located next to the Aina Mahal

Aina Mahal

Aina Mahal is an 18th-century palace in Bhuj, Gujarat, India. It is located next to the Prag Mahal. It was built by Rao Lakhpatji in the mid-18th century. The chief architect was Ram Singh Malam.The palace was totally destroyed in 2001 Gujarat Earthquake...

 in Bhuj

Bhuj

Bhuj is a city and a municipality in Kachchh district in the state of Gujarat, India.-History:It was established by Rao Hamirji in 1510 and was made the state capital by Rao Khengarji I in 1549. Its foundation stone as state capital laid formally on Vikram Samvat 1604 Maagha 5th...

, Gujarat, India

India

India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...

. It was commissioned by Rao Pragmalji II, and construction began in 1865. It was designed by Colonel Henry Saint Wilkins in the Italian Gothic style, and many Italian artisans were involved in its construction. The palace artisans' wages were paid in gold coins. Construction of the palace, which ultimately cost 3.1 million rupees

Indian rupee

The Indian rupee is the official currency of the Republic of India. The issuance of the currency is controlled by the Reserve Bank of India....

, was completed in 1879 during the regency of Khengarji III (Pragmalji II's son) following Pragmalji II's death in 1875. The local Kutchi builder community were also involved in construction of Prag Mahal along with Colon Wilinks
Notable features:

• The main hall, filled with decaying taxidermy
• Durbar hall, with broken chandeliers and classical statues
• Corinthian pillars
• Jali
  Jali
  A jali is the term for a perforated stone or latticed screen, usually with an ornamental pattern constructed through the use of calligraphy and geometry. Early work was performed by carving into stone, while the later more elegant used by the Mughals employed the technique of inlay, using marble...
  
   work depicting European plants and animals
• Small Hindu temple of carved stone in a courtyard behind the palace

Scenes from the Bollywood blockbusters Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam

Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam

The music was composed by Ismail Darbar with lyrics by Mehboob. It received nine Filmfare Awards nominations in the music and singing categories and produced some winners as well.-Track listing:-2000 National Awards:* Best Music Direction - Ismail Darbar...

and Lagaan

Lagaan

Lagaan is a 2001 Bollywood sports film written and directed by Ashutosh Gowariker. Aamir Khan, who was also the producer for the film, stars with Gracy Singh in the lead roles; British actors Rachel Shelley and Paul Blackthorne play the supporting roles...

, as well as a number of Gujarati films, were shot in the palace.

The 2001 Gujarat earthquake

2001 Gujarat earthquake

The 2001 Gujarat earthquake occurred on January 26, 2001, India's 52nd Republic Day, at 08:46 AM local time and lasted for over two minutes. The epicentre was about 9 km south-southwest of the village of Chobari in Bhachau Taluka of Kutch District of Gujarat, India...

severely damaged the palace. In 2006, the palace was burglarized, with thieves stealing antiques worth millions of rupees and damaging other items throughout the palace. Today, the palace is in a "ghostly", "forlorn" state.

Visitors may enter the main palace halls and ascend the bell tower, which offers views of the city.