Narnaul’s Jal Mahal restored after a decade, water back in 16th-century reservoir

The 16th-century Jal Mahal in Narnaul, Haryana, has been refilled with water after nearly a decade, restoring a key feature of the 1591 monument. The revival was led by the Haryana government's Buildings and Roads and Irrigation departments, with work beginning in 2023-24 and ending last year at a cost of approximately Rs 70 lakh. Around 170 million litres of water from rainwater and an irrigation canal were used to fill the reservoir to a depth of five feet.

The monument, built by nawab Shah Quli Khan during Akbar's reign, is a protected Monument of National Importance under the Archaeological Survey of India, which will fund its future upkeep. Mahendragarh deputy commissioner Anupama Anjali said the revival positions Narnaul as a premier heritage hub, and the administration plans to introduce evening cultural events subject to approvals. Archaeologists and officials highlighted its role in traditional water management and the potential for a heritage circuit among Narnaul's 16 protected sites.