Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat inaugurated the restored 17th-century Sheesh Mahal at Shalimar Bagh, North Delhi.

The restoration, carried out by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) under the guidance of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), is part of the “Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi” campaign to preserve and revive India’s architectural heritage.

Key Points:

• The restored Sheesh Mahal was unveiled on July 2, 2025, by Union Minister Shekhawat, Delhi Lt Governor V.K. Saxena, and Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, along with local MP Praveen Khandelwal.
• Originally built during the Mughal era, Sheesh Mahal is located within a Char Bagh-style garden; it has now been restored using traditional materials such as lime, lakhori bricks, and natural binders like jaggery and urad dal.
• Alongside the palace, three heritage-era cottages in the complex have been restored—two repurposed as public cafés and one for official use—enhancing community interaction with the heritage site.
• A baradari (12-door pavilion) within the complex has also been reconstructed, improving the aesthetic and historical continuity of the site.
• The restoration is part of the DDA’s larger “Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi” initiative, which focuses on preserving Delhi’s historic sites while integrating them into modern public spaces.