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The White Palace of Marghazar was built in 1940 by the first king of Swat, Miangul Abdul Wadud (Badshah Sahib) in the small town of Marghazar situated at about 13 kilometers away from Saidu Sharif. The name was given to the palace as it was built of white marble. The name has been changed 3 times first it was named Swati Palace and then Motti Palace and then White Palace. The palace now serves as a hotel. The White Palace at Marghazar was the summer residence of the Wali of Swat, Miangul Jehanzeb. Located at 7,136 feet above sea level on Marghazar Hill, it was later converted into a tourist resort.^[1]^[2]

History

The greenery of the gorgeous landscape persuaded the then King of Swat, Miangul Abdul Wadud (Badshah Sahib) in 1935 to build a summer resort here. The King brought marble from Agra, bronze from Belgium, and artisans from Turkey who designed and constructed the palace, completing it in 1941. It was first named Swatti Taj Mahal, later Motti Mahal, and now Sufed Mahal (White Palace). Then it was enriched with selective fauna and flora that made it a mini zoo as well as mini botanical garden. There is also a 200-year-old colossal chinar tree, serving as canopy for visitors.

Structure

There are 24 active spacious decorated rooms and the Royal Suite (ex-King's bedroom) where Elizabeth II, Queen of the United Kingdom, and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh stayed for three days in 1961.^[3] There are two big conference halls where King Abdul Wadood used to hold cabinet meetings. There is the King's lobby which has a beautiful view of the garden lawn. On the right side, there is a king's veranda to have a glimpse of a swirling stream of water. On the left side of the palace is situated a six-roomed Lord's Block for the residence of ministers and advisors. On the upper portion of the palace, there is the eight-roomed Prince Block, it is an enclave in trees and shrubs. Climbing further stairs, there is a twelve-roomed Queen's block. King Abdul Wadood had two wives so he built this block in a way that each wife got 3 rooms, 3 servant rooms, and a separate lawn in her share. The counterpart portion of the second wife is a replica of the first one. In front of the lawn, there is a single balcony with marble benches and a table with engraved paintings of grapes.

Raw materials

The material for the White Palace was imported from Jaypure India, the same quarry that supplied marble to the Taj Mahal Agra. Chuna (lime) is used as binding material in place of cement. It is so compact to be drilled. The height of the ceiling is 30–35 ft to give extra strength and ward off heat. Ceiling fans were imported and installed in 1941 and are still working.

After the death of Wadud of Swat, Miangul Asfandyar Amir Zeb became the owner. Now Miangul Shahriyar Amir Zeb is the owner.

The White Palace is now converted into a hotel and has become a tourist attraction during the summer.^[4]

References

^ "Hotel White Palace | Tourism and Travel Guide | Swat Valley Hotels". Khpalswat.com. Retrieved 2014-02-16.
^ "White Palace: A Marble Marvel in the Mountains".
^ "Queen Elizabeth II in Swat (1961)". The Friday Times. 4 April 2014. Retrieved 23 November 2017.
^ Welcome to Hotel White Palace Swat

[1] "Hotel White Palace | Tourism and Travel Guide | Swat Valley Hotels". Khpalswat.com. Retrieved 2014-02-16.

[2] "White Palace: A Marble Marvel in the Mountains".

[3] "Queen Elizabeth II in Swat (1961)". The Friday Times. 4 April 2014. Retrieved 23 November 2017.

[4] Welcome to Hotel White Palace Swat

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[2]

[3]

[4]

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+[[File:Marghazar swatvalley x012.JPG|thumb|right|300px|Sufid Mahal Marghazar]]
-{{Orphan|date=October 2013}}
+The '''White Palace''' of [[Marghazar]] was built in 1940 by the first king of [[Swat (princely state)|Swat]], [[Miangul Abdul Wadud (Badshah Sahib)]] in the small town of Marghazar situated at about 13 kilometers away from [[Saidu Sharif]]. The name was given to the palace as it was built of white marble. The name has been changed 3 times first it was named Swati Palace and then Motti Palace and then White Palace. The palace now serves as a hotel. The White Palace at Marghazar was the summer residence of the Wali of Swat, [[Miangul Jehanzeb]]. Located at 7,136 feet above sea level on Marghazar Hill, it was later converted into a tourist resort.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://khpalswat.com/site/tourism/hotels/ht.aspx?id=25 |title=Hotel White Palace &#124; Tourism and Travel Guide &#124; Swat Valley Hotels |publisher=Khpalswat.com |date= |accessdate=2014-02-16}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youlinmagazine.com/article/white-palace-a-marble-marvel-in-the-mountains/MTczOA==|title=White Palace: A Marble Marvel in the Mountains}}</ref>
+==History==
-The '''White Palace''' of [[Marghazar]] was built in 1940 by the first king of the [[Swat (princely state)|Swat]], [[Miangul Abdul-Wadud]] in the small town of Marghazar situated at about 13 kilometers away from [[Saidu Sharif]]. The name was given to the palace as it was built of white marble. The palace now serves as a hotel. The White Palace at Marghazar was the summer residence of the Wali of Swat, [[Miangul Jehanzeb]]. Located at 7,000 feet above sea leavel on Marghazar Hill, it was later converted into a tourist resort.<ref>[http://khpalswat.com/site/tourism/hotels/ht.aspx?id=25 khpalswat.com/site/tourism/hotels/ht.aspx?id=25]</ref>
+[[File:White Palace, Swat.JPG|thumb|right|Sufid Mahal Marghazar]]
+The greenery of the gorgeous landscape persuaded the then King of Swat, [[Miangul Abdul Wadud (Badshah Sahib)]] in 1935 to build a summer resort here. The King brought marble from Agra, bronze from Belgium, and artisans from Turkey who designed and constructed the palace, completing it in 1941. It was first named Swatti [[Taj Mahal]], later Motti Mahal, and now Sufed Mahal (White Palace). Then it was enriched with selective fauna and flora that made it a mini zoo as well as mini botanical garden. There is also a 200-year-old colossal [[Platanus orientalis|chinar]] tree, serving as canopy for visitors.
+==Structure==
-The greenery of gorgeous landscape persuaded King of Swat [[Miangul Abd[[File:marghazar swatvalley x012.JPG|thumb|left|Sufid Mahal Marghazar]]
+There are 24 active spacious decorated rooms and the Royal Suite (ex-King's bedroom) where [[Elizabeth II]], Queen of the United Kingdom, and [[Prince Philip]], Duke of Edinburgh stayed for three days in 1961.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefridaytimes.com/tft/queen-elizabeth-ii-in-swat-1961/|title=Queen Elizabeth II in Swat (1961)|date=4 April 2014|work=The Friday Times|accessdate=23 November 2017}}</ref> There are two big conference halls where King [[Abdul Wadood]] used to hold cabinet meetings. There is the King's lobby which has a beautiful view of the garden lawn. On the right side, there is a king's veranda to have a glimpse of a swirling stream of water. On the left side of the palace is situated a six-roomed Lord's Block for the residence of ministers and advisors. On the upper portion of the palace, there is the eight-roomed Prince Block, it is an enclave in trees and shrubs. Climbing further stairs,  there is a twelve-roomed Queen's block. King Abdul Wadood had two wives so he built this block in a way that each wife got 3 rooms, 3 servant rooms, and a separate lawn in her share. The counterpart portion of the second wife is a replica of the first one. In front of the lawn, there is a single balcony with marble benches and a table with engraved paintings of grapes.
-ul Wadood]] in 1935 to build a summer resort here. The King brought marble from Agra, bronze from Belgium and artisan from Turkey who not only designed it but also constructed it. Thus, in 1941, a beautiful palace of white stone was erected. It was first named Swatti [[Taj Mahal]], later Motti Mahal and now [[Sufed Mahal]](White Palace). Then it was enriched with selective fauna and flora that made it mini zoo as well as mini botanical garden.<ref>profwaqarhussain.blogspot.com/.../[http://white-palace-marghazar-valley-swat.h white-palace-marghazar-valley-swat.h]</ref>
+==Raw materials==
-There are 24 active spacious decorated rooms and the  Royal Suite (ex-King’s bedroom) where once Queen Elizabeth also stayed for three day. There are two big conference halls where King Abdul Wadood used to hold cabinet meetings. There is King’s lobby to have beautiful view of the Garden Lawn. On the right side, there is a king’s Veranda to have a glimpse of swirling stream of water.On the left side of palace is situated six-roomed Lord’s Block for the residence of ministers and advisors. On the upper portion of the palace, the re is the  eight-roomed Prince Block, it is totally enclave in tree and shrubs. Climbing further stairs,  there is  twelve-roomed Queen’s block. King Abdul Wadood had two wives so he built this block in way that each wife got 3 rooms, 3 servant rooms and a separate lawn in her share. The counterpart portion of second wife is replica of the first one. In front of the lawn, there is single balcony with marble benches and table with engraved painting of grapes. From here, one can see a marvelous boulder mountain. On the top of mountain, there is a house with electricity available since 1941. It was amazing.<ref>[http://profwaqarhussain.blogspot.com/.../white-palace-marghazar-valley-swat.[http://h%20profwaqarhussain.blogspot.com/.../white-palace-marghazar-valley-swat.h%5D h profwaqarhussain.blogspot.com/.../white-palace-marghazar-valley-swat.h<nowiki>]</nowiki>]</ref>
+[[File:White Palace at Night.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Sufid Mahal Marghazar night view]]
-The material of  White Palace was imported from Jaypure India, the same quarry that supplied marble to the Taj Mahal Agra. Chuna (lime) is used as binding material in place of cement. It is so compact to be drilled. The height of ceiling is 30–35&nbsp;ft to give extra strength and ward off heat. Ceiling fans were imported and installed in 1941 and are still working
+The material for the White Palace was imported from Jaypure India, the same quarry that supplied marble to the Taj Mahal Agra. Chuna (lime) is used as binding material in place of cement. It is so compact to be drilled. The height of the ceiling is 30–35&nbsp;ft to give extra strength and ward off heat. Ceiling fans were imported and installed in 1941 and are still working.
-After the death of Miangul Wadood, [[Miangul Asfandyar Amir Zeb]]  became the owner . Now a day Miangul Shahriyar Amir Zeb is the owner.Queen [[Elizabeth II]] of England also visited the palace in 1961 and stayed here for three days. There ids also a 200 year old colossal chinar tree, serving as canopy for visitors.
+After the death of [[Wadud of Swat]], [[Miangul Asfandyar Amir Zeb]] became the owner. Now Miangul Shahriyar Amir Zeb is the owner.
-The White Palace is now converted into hotel and became visitors attration in summer<ref>[http://whitepalaceswat.com whitepalaceswat.com]</ref>
+The White Palace is now converted into a hotel and has become a tourist attraction during the summer.<ref>[http://whitepalaceswat.com Welcome to Hotel White Palace Swat]</ref>
 == See also ==
 * [[Swat District]]
+* [[Swat (princely state)]]
+* [[Miangul Jahanzeb]]
+* [[Marghazar]]
 == References ==
 {{reflist}}
-[[Category:Buildings and structures in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]]
+{{coord missing|Khyber Pakhtunkhwa}}
 [[Category:Swat District]]
 [[Category:Buildings and structures completed in 1940]]
 [[Category:Palaces in Pakistan]]
-[[Category:Visitor attractions in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]]
+[[Category:Tourist attractions in Swat]]
 [[Category:Tourism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]]