S Gopal Puri
Shimla: The over 200-year-old Junga Palace near Shimla, which was gutted in a major fire on Wednesday (January 7, 2025) afternoon, is closely linked to the family of former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh through his wife, senior Congress leader and Mandi ex-MP Pratibha Singh.
The palace, a symbol of Himachal’s royal and political past, once served as the residence of the rulers of the erstwhile Keonthal princely state, to which Pratibha Singh belongs.
Though no casualties were reported as the palace has not been occupied for years, the blaze has sparked fresh attention on the historic structure and its deep-rooted connection with one of the most influential political families in the hill state.
Royal legacy behind historic palace
Junga Palace was built more than two centuries ago by the rulers of Keonthal, a princely state that held sway in the Shimla region during the pre-Independence era. Pratibha Singh, born in 1956, hails from the Keonthal royal family, making the palace part of her ancestral heritage. The structure has long stood as a reminder of Himachal’s royal history, blending traditional hill architecture with colonial-era influences.
Pratibha Singh later became part of Himachal’s modern political narrative after marrying Virbhadra Singh in 1985. Virbhadra, a six-time Chief Minister, was among the state’s tallest Congress leaders and represented Himachal in both state and national politics for decades.
Fire breaks out, cause under investigation
Officials said the fire broke out around 1 pm and spread rapidly across the wooden portions of the palace. Local residents were the first to spot the flames and alerted the fire department, while also attempting to control the blaze on their own.
At least four fire tenders were pressed into service and the fire was brought under control with the combined efforts of firefighters and villagers. A team from the district administration also reached the spot. The authorities said the exact cause of the fire and the extent of damage are yet to be determined.
Pratibha Singh’s political journey
While the palace reflects her royal roots, Pratibha Singh’s public identity has largely been shaped by politics. She entered electoral politics in 2004, winning the Mandi Lok Sabha seat, earlier represented by Virbhadra Singh. She went on to defeat BJP leader Jairam Thakur from the same constituency in a later contest and returned to Parliament again in the 2021 bypoll following the death of BJP MP Ram Swaroop Sharma.
The outgoing president of the Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee, Pratibha Singh has played a key role in the party’s state affairs. Ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, however, she announced her decision not to contest.
