010056.i.4(16)

Genre: Architectural Photography

General view looking towards the entrance gatehouse to the Moti Mahal: 'This building was constructed by Newab Saadut Ali Khan: it owes its name to a superstructural projection, not a dome, in a semi-almond form, without any timber supports, but entirely of masonry, which gave the fancied resemblance to the curve of a pearl: this answers to the word 'Mote.' — Mahal can only be translated as 'seraglio,' or, 'Zenana Khana;' the whole name, then, amounts to, the 'Pearl Seraglio.' It never was used as a seraglio, and appears to have been built for purposes of defence, or check, on the advances of an enemy; in short, it may be described as the beau-ideal of a miniature citadel: it is prettily situated on the banks of the Goomtee, and is connected with a range of buildings known as the 'Mubarik Munzil' and the 'Shah Munzil'...Upon the annexation of the province, the 'Motee Mahal' was used temporarily as a Commissariat store. It has since been purchased from the Government by the Maharajah of Bulrampore, who has entirely changed the aspect of the building and of the surrounding country; the 'pearl dome,' formed in defiance of all mathematical rules of architecture, has disappeared, and the buildings comprising the 'Mote Mahal' have assumed a grand Baronial appearance, in keeping with their romantic history...' The building is partially extant.