Soneri Mahal

Soneri Mahal (Marathi: सोनेरी महल; ; lit. "Golden Palace") is a historic monument located in Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India, situated in the Satmala mountain range. It is located in the vicinity of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University. It currently houses the Maharashtra State Museum for Aurangabad.

History
Historical records suggest that Shah Jahan sent Pahad Singh and Juzar Singh to the Deccan region. During Aurangzeb's rule, Pahadsingh, with his valor and strategic skills, had demonstrated his loyalty to the Mughal Empire, with Pahadsingh relocating it to in Aurangabad in the Aurangzeb era. This historical account is further supported by the existence of a memorial dedicated to Bhau Lala Hardaul, a brother of Pahadsingh, on the outskirts of the building.

The palace was constructed between 1651 and 1653 AD, at an approximate cost of US$50,000. In 1934, the estimated value of the palace was assessed, and it was sold to the then Nizam of Hyderabad, Mir Mahbub Ali Pasha, for 26,400 rupees.

Architecture
The main building is constructed across the ridge of a hill and is surrounded by lush trees, gardens, and fields. The palace was said to feature paintings made of real gold, thus giving it its name. The entrance is a solidly built structure with fortifications. The Hathikhana gate has ornate arches and is adorned with intricate carvings. From this gate, a central pathway leads to the main palace. On either side of the pathway are gardens.

In the middle of this pathway is a large rectangular water reservoir, which was reconstructed by craftsmen in 2001-2002 using principles of Mughal architecture to restore the historical authenticity of the site.

The Soneri Mahal is rectangular and symmetrical, with a raised platform. The ground floor features a columned balcony and four other openings. On the second floor, there is a central hall with four other openings. In the south–north axis in the southern part is a staircase, with a decorative pinnacle above it. The building is constructed in stone, brick, and lime plaster.

The monument is a notable example of the fusion of Rajput and Mughal architectural styles. It is a protected monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1962, and it stands as a valuable piece of Maharashtra's architectural heritage. It has been the venue for several events, including the Ajanta-Ellora festival, and more recently, as a part of India's G20 tourism drive in Aurangabad. The palace also has a library and a small history museum displaying old statues, coins and ancient manuscripts.

Murals
The murals depict the natural world, incorporate elements of Mughal miniature paintings and are adorned with flowers, plants, and trees. The Mughal paintings in the palace feature depictions of traditional flora and fauna, including traditional flowers and fruits. The rose and lily flowers in the paintings are intricately detailed. The murals also make extensive use of bright and vibrant colors such as deep red, blue, green, yellow, white, and gold. The use of gold paint for certain elements on the murals gives them a metallic sheen, and the use of linear perspective on some of the murals gives them a lifelike appearance.

Museum
The first-floor gallery of the palace houses the Regional Museum, which was established in 1979. This museum showcases a diverse collection of ancient artifacts across various categories. It includes ancient sculptures, paintings, coins, pottery, arms and armor, and more. It houses terracotta artifacts, wooden sculptures, and glass paintings, among other items, which were excavated from various sites in and around Marathwada. The second floor of the museum currently houses the office of the Assistant Curator of the Archaeology Department, Government of Maharashtra.

Lala Hardaul Samadhi
Lala Hardaul was a freedom fighter and skilled warrior, the son of Bundelkhand's Orcha Narash Veeersingh. A samadhi (memorial) dedicated to him is located 50 meters from the palace. The memorial is in the form of a square platform. This location in Bundelkhand's history is known for the extraordinary valor and bravery of Lala Hardaul. He is said to have fiercely resisted the Mughal authority and instilled fear in their ranks.

Hardaul's bravery and courage is still celebrated in the Bundelkhand region and elsewhere. His untimely demise is attributed to his consumption of poison on the occasion of the Vijayadashami festival in 1631, fearing the impending capture by Mughal forces. His memorial contains an inscription in both Marathi and Urdu, which mention him by name.

Due to his significant role in Indian history, the memorial has been declared a State Protected Monument by the Archaeology Department of the Government of Maharashtra and was recently renovated.