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Mandu
Excursion
[ The Darwazas | Jahaz Mahal
| Hindola Mahal | Hoshang Shah's Tomb
| Jami Masjid | Rewa Kund | Baz
Bahadur's Palace | Roopmati's Pavilion |
Ashrafi Mahal | Other Monuments ]
The Darwazas
The 45-km parapets of walls that enclose Mandu are
blocked by 12 gateways. Most notable of these is the Delhi Darwazas,
the main entrance to the fortress city, and the approach is through
a series of gateways. They are well fortified with walled enclosures
and strengthened by bastions such as the Alamgir and Bhangi Darwaza,
through which the present road passes. Rampol Darwaza, Jehangir
Gate and Tarapur Gate are some of the other main gateways.
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Jahaz Mahal
Jahaz
Mahal or the ship palace was built by Sultan Ghiyas-ud-din-Khilji
to maintain his large Harem (place where the ladies of rulers lived).
This palace is two storeyed and a very elegant one, in shape of
a ship and is located between Munj Talao and Kapur Talao (pond).
The balconies hanging over the water and the open terraces appear
as a royal pleasure craft. In fact hidden motif of building this
palace might have been to carve out a pleasure ship from stone.
In the moonlight the sight of this structure as viewed from Taveli
Mahal is unforgettable. The spectacular silhouette of the domes
and turrets perched on terrace is sight to cherish life long. Jahaz
Mahal is a double storied structure, which represents the grace
of royalty, which decorated this place in the past. This palace
is 120 meter long and 15 meter wide.
With its open pavilions, balconies overhanging the water and open
terrace, Jahaz Mahal is an imaginative recreation in stone of a
royal pleasure craft. Viewed on moonlit nights from the adjoining
Taveli Mahal, the silhouette of the building, with the tiny domes
and turrets of the pavilion gracefully perched on the terrace presents
an unforgettable sight.
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Hindola Mahal
The
Hindola Mahal is an audience hall, which too belongs to Ghiyas-ud-din's
reign. It derives its name of "swinging palace" from its
sloping sidewalls. Superb and innovative techniques are also evident
in its ornamental facade be it the delicate trelliswork in sandstone
or the beautifully moulded columns.
To the west of this mahal there are several unidentified buildings
which still bear traces of their past grandeur. Amidst these is
an elaborately constructed well called Champa Baoli, which is connected
with underground vaulted rooms where arrangements were made for
hot and cold water.
Other places of interest and worth a visit in this enclave are
Dilawar Khan's Mosque, the Nahar Jharokha (tiger balcony), Taveli
Mahal, the two large wells called the Ujali (bright) and Andheri
(dark) Baolis and Gada Shah's Shop and House.
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Hoshang Shah's
Tomb
India's
first marble edifice, it is one of the most refined examples of
Afghan architecture. Its unique features are the magnificently proportioned
dome, marble latticework of remarkable delicacy and porticoed courts
and towers to mark the four corners of the rectangle. Shah Jehan
sent four of his great architects to study the design of this structure
and draw inspiration from the tomb. Among them was Ustad Hamid,
who was also associated with the construction of Taj Mahal.
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Jami Masjid
Inspired
by the great mosque of Damascus, the Jami Masjid was conceived on
a grand scale, with a high plinth and a huge domed porch projecting
in the centre, the background dominated by similar imposing domes
with the intervening space filled up by innumerable domes. The huge
proportions and the stern simplicity of its construction could indeed
strike a person. The great court of the mosque is enclosed on all
sides by huge arcade with a rich and pleasing variety in the arrangement
of arches, pillars, number of bays, and in the rows of domes above.
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Rewa Kund
Baz Bahadur built the Rewa Kund, with an artificial
waterway to provide Roopmati's palace with water. Today, the pool
is revered as a sacred spot.
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Baz Bahadur's
Palace
Built by Baz Bahadur in the early 16th century,
the palace's unique features are its spacious courtyards surrounded
by halls and high terraces, which afford a superb view of the surrounding
countryside.
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Roopmati's Pavilion
The
pavilion was originally built as an army observation post. From
its hilltop perch, this graceful structure with its two pavilions
was a retreat of the lovely queen, from where she could see Baz
Bahadur's palace and the Narmada flowing through the Nimar plains
far below.
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Ashrafi Mahal
Built
by Hoshang Shah's successor, Mahmud Shah Khilji, this "palace
of gold coins" facing the Jami Masjid, was conceived as an
academic institution (madrassa) for young boys, and many such cells
are preserved. In the same complex he built seven storeyed tower
to celebrate his victory over Rana Khumba of Mewar; of which only
one storey has survived. Also in the ruins is the tomb which was
intended to be the largest structure of Mandu, but which collapsed
due to hasty construction.
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Other Monuments
There are other monuments in Mandu, which do not
fall in any group but which deserve special attention.
- Nilkanth: This sacred Shiva shrine is sited in a magnificent
setting, at the very edge of a steep valley. In its tree-shaded
courtyard, a stream feeds a sacred pond, and pilgrims still gather
to worship here.
- Nilkanth Mahal: Belonging to the Mughal era and close to the
Nilkanth shrine, this palace was constructed by the Mughal governor,
Shah Badgah Khan for Emperor Akbar's Hindu wife. On the walls
here are some inscriptions of the time of Akbar referring to the
futility of earthly pomp and glory.
- Hathi Mahal, Darya Khan's Tomb, Dai ka Mahal, Dai ki Chhotti
Behan Ka Mahal, Malik Mughit's Mosque and Jali Mahal are some
of the other fascinating monuments.
- The Lohani Caves and Temple Ruins, near to the royal enclave
area also merit a visit due to their association with Mandu's
history and monuments.
Sunset Point, in front of the caves affords a panoramic view of
the surrounding countryside.
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Information on Tours & Travel excursion of Mandu city of Madhya
Pradesh - India
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