Art and Architecture of Ranbir Singh Baradari, Muzaffarabad Azad Jammu & Kashmir

Abstract

The art and architecture of ancient India has been so famous for its distinctive style, including Hindu, Buddhist, Jain, Muslim and Sikh architecture. The current research will focus on Sikh period architecture, which has been recently documented by Taxila Institute of Asian Civilizations. The monument is a Baradari, which belongs to Maharaja Ranbir Singh. It is located in Muzaffarabad, the capital of Azad Jammu & Kashmir. This kind of architecture is found all over Pakistan, but the clll'rent Baradari is being researched for the first time in AJK. The Baradari of Ranbir Singh is so rich in its art and architecture which has beautiful decorative motifs, carrying different influences, lying on one place. This sort of architecture is so individual in style which has been never seen before in any building. Baradari is divided in two parts, located at the banks of river Vetasta. Moreover, the importance of this Baradari can also be seen through its location which li es on the junction of river Kishan Ganga (Neelum) and Vetasta (Jehlum), the most impoliant and historical rivers of the valley. Also make a comparative study of the current Baradari with other Baradaries of the Pakistan.