Mandu Places

Introduction:

Want to see the royal legacy of Mandu, come to the group that is better known as the royal enclave. There is the Jahazi Mahal also called the Ship palace. It is a 120 m long two storeyed palace interpolated.

Purported to have been built by the Sultan Ghiyas-ud-din-Khilji, for his harem, notice the elaborately constructed pavilions, balconies aloft the water and open terrace. One must experience the beauty of the palace on moonlit nights from the adjoining Taveli mahal. The view of these dome shaped stilettos at night is an memorable experience.
Want to feel some dangling, come to the swinging palace which is known as Hindola Mahal. This was the audience hall of Ghiyas-ud-din, and its most prominent feature is the groundbreaking techniques involved in the construction. Once you are through with enjoying the aura of the palace, you must visit the unidentified remains around the mahal.
Champa Baoli is a step well located on the northern side. Known for its cool wells and bathrooms, it was popular as the hot weather retreat. This underground well had distinct ventilation and if catering to the legend, this area smelt of the fragrant Champa flower.
Another attraction of this group is the Dilwara Mosque, the first Islamic representation in Mandu. One can find a clear impact of Hindu architecture in the entrance, columns and ceilings of the mosque. Near to this mosque is a famous ruins of a balcony called the Nahar Jharoka or Tiger balcony. The reason behind this name is that earlier there was a statue of a tiger that was used for support. You must see the mammoth Hathi ka Pol (Elephant gate), at the entryway which is fringed by the presence of two elephants. The wells around this gate, is also an important attraction.

Main attraction of Mandu :

JAMI MASJID - Built in 1454, the Jami Masjid is the most majestic building in Mandu. It is designed after the Omayyed Mosque of Damascus. The best view of this monument is from the Ashrafi Mahal rising in front of it.

HOSHANG SHAH’S TOMB - Hoshang Shah: a massive, foursquare monument with a huge dome, constructed in AD 1435, it is the oldest marble structure in India and depicts typical Hindu influences An inscription on the right jamb of the door mentions the name of Ustad Hamid who was involved with the building of the Taj Mahal in Agra.

JAHAZ MAHAL - It is one of the most popular monuments in Mandu, this ship-like structure was erected by Ghiyas-ud-din, son of Mohammed Shah, for his harem. According to the legends, this harem was home to 15,000 maidens. There are two lakes on the east and west side of the palace that create a perfect illusion of a ship with its rectangular shape.


HINDOLA MAHAL - It is near the Jahaz Mahal. It’s a large hall supported by sloping buttresses which, resembled the supports of a swing. According to legends, both the Jahaz and Hindola Mahal were popular with the Mughals for partying on monsoon evenings.

CHAMPA BAOLI - Champa Baoli is an interesting step-well on the north edge of the tank situated there. It was a popular hot-weather retreat and featured cool wells and bathrooms.

BAZ BAHADUR’S PALACE - The Rewa Kund is actually a tank of sacred water from the river Rewa, another name for the Narmada. This is the place where the love of poet-prince Baz Bahadur and Rani Roopmati flourished. Baz Bahadur was the last independent king of Malwa who fell in love with an ordinary shepherdess called Roopmati. Unfortunately, their love had a tragic end when the great Mughal emperor, Akbar, moved by Roopmati’s beauty, attacked Mandu and Baz Bahadur fled leaving his lover to poison herself. Baz Bahadur’s Palace was constructed in 1509 beside the Rewa Kund.


ROOPMATI’S PAVILION - Roopmati’s Pavilion, is situated on the very edge of Mandu Fort. It is a very romantic building, a perfect setting for fairytale romance!

How to reach there :

By Air travel: The nearest Airport at Indore is 98km away.

By Train: Convenient Railheads are Indore (100 Km), Mhow (92 Km) & Ratlam(124 Km)

By Roads: Via Indore it is the ideal route to mandu & regular Bus services connect mandu with Dhar(35 Kms), Indore, Ratlam, Ujjain(154 Kms) & Bhopal (285 Kms

via Indore).