Qila Mubarak (the Blessed Fort) is the historic heart of Patiala, a 10-acre fortified palace complex that served as the seat of the Phulkian dynasty from its founding in 1763. The founder, Baba Ala Singh, built the original mud fort; subsequent Maharajas rebuilt it in brick and expanded it over the following century into a rambling assembly of courtyards, reception halls, and private apartments.
The complex includes the outer Qila Androon (inner palace), the Darbar Hall (which functions as a small museum displaying weapons including swords attributed to Guru Gobind Singh and Nadir Shah), and the ornate Jalau Khana with its Ionic columns. The Sheesh Mahal — the mirrored palace — is the most spectacular interior but access varies depending on the restoration programme. The approach through the Darshani Gate, decorated with painted panels, sets the tone for the layered architectural grandeur inside.