Toshkhana at Historic Mubarak Mandi Reopened After Over 18 Years for Inventory Verification and Artifact Assessment
JAMMU, May 28: In a significant development marking a new chapter in the preservation of royal heritage, the Toshkhana located within the historic Mubarak Mandi Complex in Jammu was officially reopened today after remaining sealed for more than 18 years. The reopening was conducted as part of a detailed process for verifying the inventory and evaluating the condition of the precious royal artifacts stored within. This critical step is being undertaken ahead of the formal transfer of these items from the Directorate of Hospitality and Protocol to the Department of Archives, Archaeology and Museums.
The Toshkhana is a repository of invaluable treasures, including royal ornaments, arms, and other precious belongings of the former Dogra rulers of Jammu and Kashmir. However, a large portion of these priceless items are currently secured in a strong room within the Civil Secretariat, Jammu.
Historically, all artifacts, including weaponry and jewelry, were housed in the Toshkhana at Mubarak Mandi. However, following a catastrophic fire incident on December 15, 2006, the complex was deemed structurally unsafe for storing such items. In response, the authorities relocated the majority of the valuables to a highly secure strong room in the Civil Secretariat to ensure their protection.
Since the fire incident, the Toshkhana remained largely inaccessible, except for an occasional inventory audit carried out by the Toshkhana Organization under the administrative control of the Hospitality and Protocol Department. Security was maintained through strict measures, with items categorized into single-lock and double-lock enclosures to safeguard against unauthorized access.
A significant policy shift occurred on August 13, 2022, when the Administrative Council, through Decision No. 115/9/2022, approved the proposal for the dissolution of the Toshkhana Organization. Subsequently, Government Order No. 11-JK (H&P) dated August 30, 2022, formally sanctioned the winding up of the organization. As part of this restructuring, the sanctioned positions and staff of the Toshkhana Organization were reassigned to the Department of Culture. However, the actual handover of the artifacts to the Directorate of Archives, Archaeology and Museums faced delays due to various administrative and logistical reasons—delays consistently highlighted by Daily Excelsior in past reports.
Taking a decisive step forward, Deputy Commissioner Jammu, Sachin Kumar Vaishya, fixed May 16 as the date for the inspection and formal handover/takeover of the Toshkhana’s assets and accordingly notified the Commissioner Secretary of the Hospitality and Protocol Department. This was followed by an official communication from the Hospitality and Protocol Department to the Director of Archives, Archaeology and Museums on May 19, requesting the presence of all concerned stakeholders and the designated committee members for the smooth execution of the handover process.
Today’s reopening saw teams of experts begin the systematic inspection of items kept in the single-lock enclosure. According to sources in the Hospitality and Protocol Department, personnel from the Jammu and Kashmir Police are evaluating the armory, while metallurgists are analyzing the condition of metallic artifacts. This exercise is being conducted in the presence of officials from both the Hospitality and Protocol Department and the Directorate of Archives, Archaeology and Museums.
The inventory previously prepared by the Toshkhana Organization is being meticulously verified alongside this inspection process. Videographic documentation of the entire activity is also being carried out to maintain transparency and create a permanent visual record. Once the single-lock enclosure inspection is complete, attention will shift to the double-lock chamber, which houses a number of intricately crafted items made of silver and other precious metals.
Following the comprehensive inspection and verification, the Directorate of Archives, Archaeology and Museums is expected to formally assume possession of the Toshkhana in accordance with the Administrative Council’s 2022 directive.
However, no timeline has yet been established for the inspection and eventual transfer of the remaining artifacts secured in the Civil Secretariat’s strong room—where a significant portion of the royal collection currently resides. This delay continues to raise questions about the timeline for full consolidation and public presentation of the Dogra heritage collection.
Moreover, the Directorate of Archives has not made any official announcement regarding the public exhibition of Toshkhana’s artifacts. Despite the completion of a state-of-the-art facility near Kala Kendra at Bikram Chowk, which was envisioned to serve as a museum space, plans for showcasing the royal legacy to the general public remain pending.
