Describe the imaginary palace of Kubla Khan. 

Answer

Describe the imaginary palace of Kubla Khan. 

In “Kubla Khan” (1816), Coleridge (1772-1834) describes a magical and dreamlike palace built by the Mongol ruler Kubla Khan in a place called Xanadu. The palace is called “pleasure-dome.” It looks very attractive and beautiful like a dream. The palace is surrounded by beautiful gardens, forests, a sacred river, and deep caves. This palace is not a real place but a creation of the poet’s imagination.

The Palace and Gardens: The pleasure dome is described as “stately,” meaning it is grand, magnificent, and royal. This palace is surrounded by ten miles of “fertile ground.” Around this ground, there are walls and towers—making it look strong and well-protected. There are acres of beautiful gardens, flowers, fragrant trees, and streams of water.

“Twice five miles of fertile ground

With walls and towers…”

We also find ancient forests and hills beside the palace. The palace is in a place where we see both sunshine and caves of ice.

The Sacred River: Near the palace flows the sacred river Alph. The river runs through the fertile land. It starts in the gardens but then moves deeper into “caverns measureless to man.” The caves are vast and deep. The river then flows into a “sunless sea,” meaning an underground sea.

“Where Alph, the sacred river, ran…

Down to a sunless sea.”

Caves of Ice: The palace is also described as having “caves of ice.” This fact is strange because the palace is in a sunny, fertile place. This contrast makes the palace feel surreal and dreamlike. 

In short, Coleridge’s description of Kubla’s palace is beautiful, mysterious, and grand. It is not just a physical place but a symbol of imagination and creativity. Through this imaginary palace, Coleridge creates a magical world that feels like a dream—full of wonder and mystery.