Places to visit in the city Mandu
JAMI MASJID - Mandu
Built in 1454, the Jami Masjid is by far the
most majestic building in Mandu. It is said
that the builders had designed it after the
Omayyed Mosque of Damascus. The best view of
this monument can be had from the Ashrafi Mahal
rising in front of it. Do, however, go inside.
Wander around, examine the decorations on the
lintel of the doorway, the jali (filigree) screens
and the curious little domes of the prayer hall,
which are believed to be acoustic devices to
amplify voices and absorb echoes.
HOSHANG SHAH’S TOMB - Mandu
From the Jami Masjid, move on to the tomb of
Hoshang Shah: a massive, foursquare monument
with a huge dome. Constructed in AD 1435, it
is reputed to be the oldest marble structure
in India and depicts typical Hindu influences
including carved marble lattice screens (jali).
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.
ASHRAFI MAHAL - Mandu
Ashrafi Mahal was originally built as a madarsa
(a Muslim religious school), but later extended
to become Mohammed Shah’s tomb. Now only the
ruins of this building are visible.
JAHAZ MAHAL - Mandu
One of the most
popular monuments in Mandu, this ship-like structure
was constructed 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 - Mandu
Near the Jahaz Mahal is the unusual Hindola
Mahal (or Swing Palace). It’s a large hall supported
by sloping buttresses which, presumably, resembled
the supports of a swing. According to local
legends, both the Jahaz and Hindola Mahal were
popular with the Mughals who had parties here
on monsoon evenings.
CHAMPA BAOLI - Mandu
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.
TAVELI MAHAL - Mandu
Taveli Mahal is located just south of Jahaz
Mahal and now houses the antiquity gallery of
the Archaeological Survey of India.
BAZ BAHADUR’S PALACE - Mandu
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
flowered. 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, spurned by Roopmati’s beauty,
attacked Mandu and Baz Bahadur fled Mandu leaving
his lover to poison herself. Baz Bahadur’s Palace
was constructed in 1509 beside the Rewa Kund,
well before he became the king. The palace displays
a curious mix of Rajasthani and Mughal style
of architecture. There was a water lift at the
northern end of the tank to supply water to
the tank.
ROOPMATI’S PAVILION - Mandu
Roopmati’s Pavilion, looking out over the distant
river valley of the Narmada, is situated on
the very edge of Mandu Fort. It is a very romantic
building, a perfect setting for fairytale romance.
From the pavilion at the end of the terrace
of this palace you feel as if you are standing
on the prow of a great ship, surging through
a rising sea of clouds, with water streaming
away in cascades as you ride the swell of your
imagination. It’s a heady feeling!
NILKANTH TEMPLE - Mandu
Nilkanth (literally, the blue-throated one;
another name of Lord Shiva) is a shrine dedicated
to Shiva, the destroyer of the Hindu Trinity.
Located on the edge of a steep gorge, the shrine
is still visited by pilgrims.
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