The historic Jal Mahal of Narnaul, a Mughal-era water palace attributed to Shah Quli Khan, has regained its former glory after years of neglect left its pond dry. A Rs 70 lakh restoration, completed in 2025, repaired channels, strengthened infrastructure and built protective walls, allowing 170 million litres of rain and canal water to refill the reservoir and reposition the site as a key cultural attraction in southern Haryana.
THE JAL (WATER) MAHAL OF NARNAUL, Haryana, a magnificent palace once surrounded by water, had remained dry for nearly a decade. According to the latest reports, Narnaul’s water palace has been restored to its original blueprint. This 16th-century monument has now been filled with water, bringing back its significance as a cultural tourism destination in southern Haryana.
The restoration of Jal Mahal, according to a report by the Hindustan Times, began in 2023-24 and reached its final stage in 2025. The restoration project became possible through the joint efforts of the Building and Roads (B&R) and Irrigation Departments of Haryana. Although the palace’s exact date of origin is unknown, reports suggest that Narnaul’s Jal Mahal was built in the late 16th century by Shah Quli Khan, a member of the Mughal Empire’s nobility. He also served as the governor of Narnaul, Haryana.
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The Hindustan Times reported that the revival of Jal Mahal cost approximately Rs 70 lakh. The project included repairing water channels, fixing the surrounding infrastructure, and constructing a protective wall around the water storage structure. The 16th-century structure and its years of dryness have remained a disappointment for locals as well as tourists.
Built over 11 acres, the absence of the pond surrounding the structure was regarded as a major setback for tourists. “Jal Mahal is nothing without water,” one local from Mahendragarh city in Haryana told The Tribune.
After years, the beloved Jal Mahal has been revived to what it once stood for. The protective boundary walls were constructed in 2023. Other minor issues have also been in the process of being fixed for a few years prior to 2023. The biggest concern was the dry pond surrounding the centuries-old palace. Officials said that the reservoir was filled to a depth of five feet, with around 170 million litres of water supplied through rainwater and an irrigation canal.
Mahendragarh Deputy Commissioner Anupama Anjali said, “The revival of Jal Mahal marks a key milestone in positioning Narnaul as a premier heritage hub.” She further explained that the restoration project aims to restore the monument’s original character and enhance the tourist experience at the water palace. “We are also looking at ways to make the site more engaging for visitors while ensuring that its historical integrity is fully respected,” Anjali said, as quoted by the Hindustan Times.
The iconic tourist spot of Haryana, Jal Mahal, was reportedly built by Shah Quli Khan, the governor of Narnaul, in the 16th century during the reign of the third Mughal emperor, Akbar. Quli Khan is known to have been a protégé of Bairam Khan, who was a military commander of the Mughal army. Quli Khan had also served in the Mughal army during the battle between the Mughals and the Sur Empire in the 1550s. He had also fought against King Hemu during the Second Battle of Panipat in 1556.
In the 1570s, Shah Quli Khan was appointed governor of Narnaul. During this time, Khan built a tomb for himself, which took years to complete, following which he also built a palace for himself. The palace, surrounded by an artificial lake, came to be known as the Jal Mahal. Shah Quli Khan had neither any heirs nor any known successors. After his death, he was buried in his tomb in Narnaul, Haryana.
(Edited by Harsh Pandey)
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