Leh Ladakh Trip - Leh Palace,

Leh Ladakh Trip - Leh Palace, 

Recent Trip to Leh Ladakh.

Leh Palace.

ANCIENT PALACE LEH (Gle-Chen dPal-mKhar)

Leh Palace is an architectural masterpiece and engineering feat of the Namgyal dynasty, the second dynasty of Ladak rulers. The construction of the Palace was completed in a short span of only three years during the reign of Senge Namgyal (C.1590-1635 A.D), the most Illustrious king of Ladakh. The Palace is built in Tibetan architectural style with materials like stones, sun-dried mud bricks, wood of poplar, juniper and willow procured from different areas of Leh.

The most impressive feature of the Palace is the high-quality stonework visible in the sharp-edged corners and the gently tapering wall with horizontal timber lacing which prevents vertical cracks in the structure. The size of the window increases from a mere slit at the lower level to highly decorated overhanging balconies at the upper level. It is a great example of the style of architecture represented by Potala Palace in Lhasa (Tibet) and is the highest building of its time in the world The Palace comprises nine levels with over a hundred rooms, however, the purpose of only a few of considerable importance are known. The rooms in the lower levels served for use by staff, servants and as storage silos. The Palace is entered through

an elaborately embellished wooden portico gate known as Singe-sgo. (The Lion Gate) at level two. At level fourth is a large open courtyard known as Khatok Chenmo, a platform for social and cultural activities of the royal family as well as a royal shrine The ministers and other members were addressed by the king in the hall of audience located on fifth level in the south-east corner. The living quarters for the royal family were reserved on level sixth while for the royal apartment and chamber of the ki level seventh was used. The level eighth has few ancillary rooms in the northeast

corner and the ninth, apex level comprises of a shrine dedicated to the protector deity of the royal family.

The Palace was occupied till the time of the Dogra invasion (1834-40) after which the royal family shifted to Stok Palace since then the Palace remained more or less abandoned, due to which the decay began, both man-made and natural factors played an equal role. The Palace was in a ruined state when the Archaeological Survey of India declared the edifice a Monument of National Importance in the year 1982. Since then ASI carried out restoration and conservation in a phased manner to consolidate the structure

thereby infusing a new life in this historic monument and reviving the glory of the Palace.

The above info is taken from the Information Board installed by The Archeological Survey Of India(ASI)

PS.

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