Type: Monument - Baradari
Province: Azad Jammu and Kashmir
District: Muzaffarabad
Period: Historic
Relative Chronology: 1799-1849 CE
Description: Near Quaid-i-Azam Bridge Baradari occupied both sides of river Jhelum, can be approach from Chattar housing scheme, Ghari pan and old Secretariat. Domel is the junction point of Neelum & Jhelum Rivers, where the Ranbir Singh Baradari is located. Thirty-five steps are leading to the main Baradari from the eastern side of Quaid-i-Azam Bridge. Each step is of equal height measuring 23/126 cm and made of limestone. The wall along the stairs is defaced and disturbed due to natural calamities. Beneath the stairs runs a row of seven pillars of same symmetry out of which, six pillars have equal height 3.5 m and one is smaller in size. The decrease in height of seventh pillar is in accordance with stepping down of stairs. Smaller chambers are also constructed to give support to stairs which are decorated with different floral patterns. Each two pillars have brackets on both sides forming an arch. Thus, a row of arches can be seen in this arcaded portion. Such patterns were also prevalent in the Mughal Baradari. In the middle of the Baradari is a passage that leads to the western side, measuring 1.5 / 3.5 m. At the top of entrances, the name of Ranbir Singh Baradari also engraved on a lintel made of marble stone flanked by floral pattern. The passage leads towards western side of the Baradari which is the replica of eastern side. There is an obvious circular hole measuring 0.72 m, passing from eastern to western side. At top of the circular hole, there are beautiful floral patterns on both sides. The facade of the Baradari is decorated with horizontal panels. These panels are decorated with various floral patterns, chequered grid and geometrical patterns. Spandrel i.e., triangular space between two adjacent arches is located in alcove or blind arch decorated with acanthus leaves having brackets, a support that carry the weight. On the western side, there are nineteen steps measuring 2.32 m leading towards the river Jhelum. The second part of the Baradari is positioned on the left bank of river Jhelum which is replica of the main Baradari along similar features. Alcove also known as blind arch with spandrel is decorated with geometrical patterns. The marble stone lintels are decorated with floral scrolls. The name and date of construction is also written on these marble slabs. The mentioned dates on these slabs are 1825 and 1945 CE. Niches are well decorative most probably used for hosting oil lamps. The Baradari has seventeen stone slabs. These stones and marble slabs are well decorated with carved motif of, stars, lotus, tulips, petal and several floral motifs. Probably some deity was placed in the blind arch, which is no more there. The Gazetteer of Kashmir mentions the Ranbir Singh Baradari as a double story building contains five rooms and is pleasantly situated in a small enclosure, about half km below the west side of the Muzaffarabad city. The Kishen Ganga flows into Jhelum almost at right angle below the village of Domaila.
Latitude: 34.355555556
Longitude: 73.462222222
Ownership: Government of Azad Jammu and Kashmir
Legal Status: Protected by Azad Jammu & Kashmir Preservation and Protection of Antiquities Act, 1986
Title of Publication: Threat to the Cultural Heritage of Pakistan Survey and Documentation of Tangible and Intangible Heritage of Azad Jammu & Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan
Published In: Taxila Institute of Asian Civilizations, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad 2020
Year of Publication: 2020
Bibliography/Reference: Khan, Ashraf, Ghani-ur-Rahman
