Shey Palace was built in the 17th century by King Deldan Namgyal of Ladakh, dedicated to his father, Singay Namgyal. It served as the royal summer residence. The towering Shakyamuni Buddha statue, one of the largest in Ladakh, was also commissioned during Deldan Namgyal's reign. After the Dogra conquest of Ladakh in the mid-19th century, the royal family moved their capital to Leh, and Shey Palace was largely abandoned. Today, the palace is in ruins, but the monastery remains active and continues to be an important religious site.