French envoy tours Kapurthala's Jagatjit Palace, Moorish Mosque at Kapurthala

In an attempt to revive the deep-rooted Indo-French connection, French Ambassador Thierry Mathou toured various places in the princely town of Kapurthala here on Friday.

Brigadier Sukhjit Singh (retd), grandson of Maharaja Jagatjit Singh, warmly received the French envoy and shared anecdotes from the royal archives about his grandfather's numerous visits to France and his efforts in promoting French language education in Punjab.

Mathou visited the resplendent Jagatjit Palace, inspired by the Palace of Versailles, and the iconic Moorish Mosque. He admired its Hispano-Moorish design, inspired by the Grand Mosque of Marrakesh. He also visited other heritage landmarks that came up in the tenure of Maharaja Jagatjit Singh. After the visit, the Ambassador lauded Kapurthala as a unique cultural bridge between France and India.

Speaking on the occasion, the Ambassador expressed admiration for Maharaja Jagatjit Singh's cosmopolitan vision. “He was a true Francophile and a royal patron of the French language, culture and architectural style. His vision turned Kapurthala into a living gallery of Indo-French harmony,” he said.

Advocate Amarjot Singh said, "Ambassador Mathou’s visit came as a fitting tribute to the timeless bond. The moment also serves as a gentle reminder to our government and the authorities to actively preserve Kapurthala’s heritage, not just for its historical value, but also for the cultural pride and identity it carries. These monuments deserve more than admiration. They deserve official recognition, protection and care to keep Kapurthala’s charm alive for generations."

The visit marked yet a milestone in celebrating the historical bonds between France and India, with Kapurthala standing as a testimony to this cultural confluence, said Brig Sukhjit Singh.