Historic Junga palace gutted in Major Fire, 300-Year-Old Keonthal legacy suffers irreparable loss
Shimla, Jan 7,
A devastating fire tore through the centuries-old palace of the Junga Princely Estate on Wednesday afternoon, destroying large portions of the historic wooden structure that once served as the seat of the Keonthal Princely State. The blaze, which broke out at Purana Junga under the jurisdiction of Dhalli Police Station, has dealt a severe blow to Himachal Pradesh’s fragile heritage.
According to officials, the Junga Police Post received information around 1 pm after flames were spotted rising from the upper section of the abandoned palace complex. Police teams rushed to the spot and immediately alerted the Fire Department, triggering a coordinated emergency response.
The Chief Fire Officer, Shimla, confirmed that three fire tenders—deployed from Mall Road, Chhota Shimla and Boileauganj—were pressed into service. Firefighters, aided by police personnel and local residents, battled the flames for several hours to prevent the fire from spreading further.
Sources said the fire originated on the upper floor and spread rapidly due to the palace’s entirely wooden construction, marked by intricate carvings and age-old beams. By the time firefighting teams reached the remote hilltop location, a significant portion of the structure had already been engulfed.
No casualties were reported, as the palace had remained unoccupied for years. Officials confirmed that no one had been residing in the building for a long time, a factor that prevented loss of life despite the intensity of the fire.
Popularly known as the Old Palace of Junga, the structure is believed to be over 300 years old. For generations, it functioned as the administrative and royal headquarters of the Keonthal Princely State, standing as a symbol of the region’s political and cultural history. However, in recent decades, the palace had slipped into a dilapidated state due to neglect and lack of systematic conservation.
The exact cause of the fire remains unknown, and authorities have initiated a preliminary inquiry along with a detailed assessment of the damage. Heritage enthusiasts and local residents have expressed anguish over the incident, describing it as an irreversible loss to the cultural memory of the region.
The tragedy has once again highlighted concerns over the safety and preservation of Himachal Pradesh’s historic structures, many of which continue to deteriorate without adequate protection, leaving them vulnerable to disasters such as fire.
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