Arki Fort is a compact fortified palace complex built of local stone, rising from a wooded hillock. Architectural design combines
Rajput and
Mughal architecture elements. The fort is are constructed with thick sandstone walls and modest defensive battlements, typical of hill forts in the Himalayan region. At the same time, the structure incorporates the details like carved wooden brackets and ornate columns, blending the strength with elegance. The complex originally consisted a central courtyard and several interconnected wings around it. The main palace was two storeys high, with the ground floor had administrative chambers and the upper floor contained the royal apartments and audience halls. A high stone wall encloses the palace area. According to art-historical descriptions, Arki has “a fortress-palace” appearance and it was well known as “an imposing structure on the southern slope of a precipitous hill,” with the town. Some sources mention that, there used to be five major building blocks within the complex, including the Diwan-i-Aam (public hall), Diwan-i-Khas, durbar hall, private quarters, and service areas, though many are now ruined. Diwan-i-Khas (private audience hall), built in 1830 was a well ornamented structure in the Fort palace. This hall has carved wooden pillars and gilt decoration, and its walls and ceilings are covered with fresco paintings. The paintings were painted during the rule of Raja Kishan Singh. These Palhari paintings depict epic and romantic scenes like Krishna with gopis, episodes of the
Ramayana, and Nayak–Nayika love themes. The art resemble a fusion of Rajput and Mughal architectural styles and shows a heavy influence of
Rajasthan. It is observed that Arki's Pahari-style murals were earlier influenced by the Basohli school and later by the
Kangra paintings. Other halls and private chambers also display frescoes and decorative plasterwork. A richly carved wooden door, which was now placed at Shimla museum was from the old fort entrance. There is a small courtyard in the ground floor with a water tank. The palace's roof has a line of carved
Cornice and
Chhatri (pavilions) in
Rajasthani style. A small temple dedicated to Lakshmi Narayan (Vishnu), was erectlocated within the fort precincts. The view from the Cliffend Bar on the terrace is used an as observation deck to see hills from nearby towns and villages. == Recent Developments==