Jubbal Palace

Jubbal Palace is a heritage palace located in Jubbal town, Shimla district, Himachal Pradesh, at an altitude of approximately 1,900 meters. Designed by a French architect in 1930 for the ruling family of the former Jubbal princely state, it features a unique blend of Chinese, Indian, and European architectural styles. The structure includes sandstone lower sections, extensive deodar timber work, and an Indo-European modern wing. It remains partly a private residence of the royal descendants.

Visitors can view the palace exterior, including its distinctive cream-colored facade, sloping roofs, red chimneys, and an 18-foot copper-studded wooden entrance door. The grounds span four acres surrounded by pine and deodar forests. Interior access is not guaranteed as the palace is partly a private residence; when available, visitors may see carved timber ceilings, suspended attics, antique furniture, a collection of royal guns, and a library with Sanskrit and Persian manuscripts. Photography of the exterior and grounds is generally permitted.

The princely state of Jubbal traces its history to the 12th century, with rulers belonging to the Rathore Rajput clan. The current palace was designed by a French architect in 1930 and reconstructed in 1938 by Raja Rana Yogendra Chandra. The royal family resided here until 1977, when part of the palace was converted into a heritage hotel by Raj Kumar Uday Singh, grandson of Raja Rana Sir Bhagat Chand.

Jubbal Palace represents the architectural and cultural legacy of the former Jubbal princely state, one of the 18 Thakuries in the Sutlej, Pabbar, and Giri river valleys. The palace houses artifacts, manuscripts, and furnishings that reflect the region's royal heritage and serves as a tangible link to Himachal Pradesh's princely past.