| | | Mandu
City of Joy
Mandu (India)
| | | | Mandu, or Mandavgarh, is a ruined city in the Dhar district in the Malwa region of western Madhya Pradesh. The distance between Dhar and Mandu is about 35 km. In the 11th century, Mandu was the sub division of the Tarangagadh or Taranga kingdom . This fortress town on a rocky outcrop about 100 km (60 miles) from Indore is celebrated for its fine architecture. Mandu celebrates in stone the life and love of the poet-prince Baz Bahadur for his consort, Rani Roopmati. The balladeers of Malwa still sing of the romance of these royal lovers. High on the crest of a hill, Rani Roopmati's pavilion gazes down at Baz Bahadur's palace, a magnificent expression of Afghan architecture. | | Mandu : Virtual tour |  | 32 sections and 38 items |
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Mandu : Building(s) (12)
|  | Andheri Baodi
Munja Talao area
Andheri Baodi is a building with a dome, which has arch-shaped entrances in eight directions. It has been heavily damaged but we can still observe unique long eaves.
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| Nahar Jharokha
Munja Talao area
approx. between the XVth century and 1620
The word 'Nahar' means 'tiger' and 'Nahar Jharokha' means the place from where tigers could be hunted. It was meant for the rulers to address their subjects. It was here that emperor Jahangir happily awarded the title of Shah Jahan or King of the Universe upon his son prince Khurram.
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|  | Ujali Baodi
Munja Talao area
Ujala Baodi is a large scale water tank with a staircase, well known with Anderi Baoli. "Ujala" means bright. Being surrounded by arch-shaped niches, rooms and a staircase, this water tank is a magnificent three-tiered building.
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| Caravan Sarai
Sagar Talao area
near 1432
Situated opposite the Malik Mughith's Masjid, Caravan Sarai is a spacious open court with rooms on the sides used for storage of goods and provided living accommodation. It is possible that the Caravan Sarai was built around the same time as the mosque and was perhaps even attached to it.
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|  | Dai Ka Mahal
Sagar Talao area
Dai Ka Mahal is a tomb of a lady, standing on a lofty basement, having rooms with arched openings for the keepers of the tomb. At the north-east and south-east corners, remains of circular towers may be seen upon which in level with the floor of the tomb.
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|  | Dai Ki Chhoti Bahan Ka Mahal
Sagar Talao area
This building is associated to a wet-nurse of one of the princes of Mandu. It is really a tomb, though, called as Mahal or palace. It is possible that it was her house in which she was buried later. Such practices are not uncommon with Muslims.
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|  | Tomb of Darya Khan
Sagar Talao area
1526
The tomb, within a rectangular complex which has a water tank on one of its side, stands on a raised platform. Its exterior is faced with red masonry and was once decorated with colored enamels in various intricate patterns.
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|  | Asharfi Mahal (3)
Palais aux pièces d'or
Mandu Village
Ghuri Dynasty - approx. between 1406 and 1420
The buildings belong to two stages, the earlier representing a college (madrasa) built by Hoshang Shah (1404-1422) to face the Jami Masjid as its adjunct. Later this compound was used to support the tomb of Ala-ud-Din Mahmud Shah I, now in ruins.
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| Jahaz Mahal (3)
Ship Palace
Munja Talao area
Ghuri Dynasty - approx. between 1469 and 1500
Ghiyas-ud-din was a pleasure seeker and devoted himself to women and song. He had a large harem and built the Jahaz Mahal for housing the women, numbering thousands, of his harem. Ghiyas-ud-din was poisoned, aged 80, by Nasir-ud-din, his own son.
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|  | Baz Bahadur's Palace
Sagar Talao area
Khilji Dynasty - between 1508 and 1509
Built by Baz Bahadur this 16th century structure is famous for its large courtyards encompassed by large halls and high terraces. It is situated below Roopmati's Pavilion and can be seen. from the pavilion.
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|  | Nilakantha Palace (2)
Imarat-i-Dilkhusha
Nil-Kanth
Sagar Talao area
1574
Nil-Kanth is named after an old Shiva shrine which once existed here. The present structure, built of red stone, is a pleasure-house constructed by a governor of the Mughal emperor Akbar in the sixteenth century, as recorded in an inscription on the site.
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Mandu : Indoor Architecture (1)
Mandu : Outdoor Architecture (3)
Mandu : Place(s) of worship (7)
| Jami Masjid in Mandu (4)
Mandu Village
approx. between 1450 and 1454
Construction of this mosque was started by Sultan Hoshang Shah Ghuri and completed by Mahmud Shah Khilji in 1454 AD. By far, this is the most majestic building at Mandu.
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|  | Ram Mandir and Dharamsala
Mandu Village
The Ram Mandir is located just beside the bus. The idols are Ram, Lakshman and Sita. Ram Dharamsala has basic rooms with a mattress on the floor for Rs 70 and Rs 90 with a fan.
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|  | Foota Mandir
Munja Talao area
between the XIInd and the XIVth century
Temple's rear wall is safe, but the top is ruined. At present, the pillars of Paramara age and some architectural portion are there.
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| Malik Mugith's Mosque
Sagar Talao area
1432
The Mosque is the most important building in the Kapur Talao monument group. As stated in the inscription on its doorway this mosque was built by Malik Mughith, father of Mahmud Khalji in 1432. It belongs to the first phase of Muslim architecture in Malwa when material from earlier Hindu buildings was utilized for construction.
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| | Mandu : Visit Guide | |
Get in
No airport and no railways station in Mandu. They are located at Indore (95km)
By bus
From Indore take the bus to Dhar, where you can change for a local bus to Mandu.
By car
You can rent a car in Indore. The best route from Indore is as follows
Indore - Pithampur - Ghatabillod - Labour - Dhar - Mandu. The distance is approximately 95 kms and the roads are in good condition.
Get around
Bikes and scooters can be rented at the small village at the entrance to the city.
Sleep
MP Tourism offers excellent hotels :
* Malwa Resort
* Rani Roopmati Hotel. | | Mandu : Description | |
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Places of interest
Mandu, due to its strategic position and natural defences, was an important place with a rich and varied history. It was an important military outpost and its military past can be gauged by the circuit of the battlemented wall, which is nearly 37 km (23 miles) and is punctuated by 12 gateways. The walls encloses a large number of palaces, mosques, Jain temples of 14th century and other buildings. The oldest mosque dates from 1405. The finest is the Jama Masjid or great mosque, a notable example of Pashtun architecture. The marble domed tomb of this ruler is also magnificent
Some of the notable places are
The Darwazas/Gates
The wall encompassing Mandu has twelve major gates or Darwazas. The present road, through which Mandu is reached passes through many of these. Also encountered are smaller gateways built to provide protection to the above-mentioned 12 gates.
Jahaz Mehal/Ship Palace
Situated between two artificial lakes, this two storied architectural marvel is so named as it appears as a ship floating in water. Built by Sultan Ghiyas-ud-din-Khilji, it served as a harem for the sultan. It is a major tourist attraction and presents many scenic views and photographic opportunities.
Hindola Mahal
Hindola Mahal - meaning Swing palace is so named due to its sloping side walls. The Hindola Mahal might have been constructed during the reign of Hushang Shah about 1425 C.E. but may date to the end of the 15th century during the reign of Ghiyas al-Din. It is one of a set buildings making up the royal palace complex at Mandu, which consists of the Jahaz Mahal, the Hindola Mahal, the Tawili Mahal, and the Nahar Jharokha. The Hindola Mahal may have been used as an audience chamber. There are a number of other, undated structures surrounding the palace - an evidence of the rich and glorious past.
Hoshang Shah's Tomb
India's first marble structure, it is one of the most refined examples of Afghan architecture. Its unique features include the beautifully proportioned dome, intricate marble lattice work and porticoed courts and towers. It served as a template for the construction of Taj Mahal.
Jami Masjid Inspired by the great mosque of Damascus, this structure is striking in both its simplicity and architectural style-with large courtyards and grand entrances.
Rewa Kund
A reservoir constructed by Baz Bahadur for the purpose of supplying water to Rani Roopmati's Pavilion. The reservoir is situated below the pavilion and hence is considered an architectural marvel.
Roopmati's Pavilion
A large sandstone structure originally built as an army observation post it is known today as Roopmati's Pavilion. Rani Roopmati - the love interest of Baaz Bahadur lived here and is said to have gazed at the Baz Bahadur's Palace - situated below and also at Narmada river, flowing through the Nimar plains far below, a river which the queen revered. The Pavilion is a major tourist attraction and offers many scenic views.
Baz Bahadur's Palace
Built by Baz Bahadur this 16th century structure is famous for its large courtyards encompassed by large halls and high terraces. It is situated below Roopmati's Pavilion and be seen from the pavilion.
From Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandu,_Madhya_Pradesh
Text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Text_of_the_GNU_Free_Documentation_License | | Mandu : History | |
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Mandu's was earlier known by the name of "Shadiabad" meaning the city of happiness (Anand Nagari), the name was given by then ruler Allauddin Khilji. Mandu city is situated at an elevation of 633 meters (2079 feet) and extends for 13 km (8 miles) along the crest of the Vindhya Range, overlooking the plateau of Malwa to the north and the valley of the Narmada River to the south. These acted as natural defences and Mandu was originally the fort-capital of Rajput Parmara rulers of Malwa. Towards the end of the 11th century, it came under the sway of the Taranga kingdom.
In the 10th century Mandu was founded as a fortress retreat by Raja Bhoj. It was conquered by the Muslim rulers of Delhi in 1304. When, in 1401, the Mughals captured Delhi, the Afghan Dilawar Khan, governor of Malwa, set up his own little kingdom and the Ghuri dynasty was established. And thus began Mandu's golden age.
His son, Hoshang Shah, shifted the capital from Dhar to Mandu and raised it to its greatest splendor. Hoshang's son, Mohammed, the third and last ruler of Ghuri dynasty ruled for just one year He was poisoned by the militaristic Mohammed Khalji, who established the Khilji dynasty and went on to rule for the next 33 years. He was succeeded by his son, Ghiyas-ud-din in 1469 and ruled for the next 31 years. Ghiyas-ud-din was a pleasure seeker and devoted himself to women and song. He had a large harem and built the Jahaz Mahal for housing the women, numbering thousands, of his harem. Ghiyas-ud-din was poisoned, aged 80, by Nasir-ud-din, his own son.
In 1526, Mahmud II the sixth Khalji ruler made no resistance against the invading Bahadur Shah of Gujarat who conquered Mandu March 28, 1531. In 1530 Humayun, the second Mughal Emperor, succeeded Babur. Babur had established the Mughal dynasty. Humayun had two major rivals Bahadur Shah of Gujarat and Sher Shah Suri. Humayun was engaged in a war with Sher Shah Suri when he learned of an imminent attack by Bahadur Shah of Gujarat who was being aided by the Portuguese. With an unusual swiftness Humayun attacked and defeated Bagadur Shah. Thus in 1534 Mandu came under Humayun's rule. Humayun lost the kingdom to Mallu Khan, an officer of the Khalji dynasty. Ten more years of feuds and invasions followed and in the end Baz Bahadur emerge in the top spot. By this time Humayun had been defeated by Sher Shah Suri and had fled India. Sher Shah Suri died in 1545 and his son Islam Shah died in 1553. Islam Shah's 12 year old son Feroz Khan became the king but was killed by Adil Shah Suri within 3 days. Adil Shah appointed Hemu, also known as 'Hemu Vikramaditya' as his Chief of Army and Prime Minister. Hemu had a rapid rise during Sur regime. A grain supplier to Sher Shah Suri's army and then Chief of Intelligence or Daroga-i-Chowki (Superintendent of Post) under Islam Shah, he became the Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Afghan Army (Sher Shah Suri's army) under the reign of Adil Shah Suri. Adil Shah Suri was an incompetent ruler and many rebellions occurred against his rule. Hemu was sent to quell these rebellions. During this period Hemu attacked Mandu also and Baz Bahadur ran away from Mandu. Hemu appointed his own Governor here.
During this period Humayun had returned to India and in 1555 was again the emperor. In 1556 Humayun died after falling while descending a staircase.
Hemu was in Bengal at the time and sensing an opportunity attacked Mughals. Soon Agra, Bihar, Eastern UP, Madhya Pradesh were all won and on 6 October 1556 he won Delhi, defeating Akbar's forces, and had his coronation at Purana Quila, the next day. Akbar defeated and killed Hemu in the second Battle of Panipat on November 7, 1556. In 1561, Akbar's army led by Adham Khan and Pir Muhammad Khan attacked Malwa and defeated Baz Bahadur in the battle of Sarangpur on 29 March 1561. One of the reasons for Adham Khan's attack seems to be his love for Rani Roopmati. Rani Roopmati poisoned herself to death on hearing the news of fall of Mandu. Baz Bahadur fled to Khandesh. Akbar, soon recalled Adham Khan and made over command to Pir Muhammad. Pir Muhammad attacked Khandesh and proceeded up to Burhanpur but he was defeated by a coalition of three powers: Miran Mubarak Shah II of Khandesh, Tufal Khan of Berar and Baz Bahadur. Pir Muhammad died while retreating. The confederate army pursued the Mughals and drove them out of Malwa. Baz Bahadur regained his kingdom for a short period. In 1562, Akbar sent another army led by Abdullah Khan, the Uzbeg, which finally defeated Baz Bahadur. He fled to Chittor. Baz Bahadur remained a fugitive at a number of courts till he surrendered in November, 1570 to Akbar at Nagaur. He joined Akbar's service.
After Akbar added Mandu to the Mughal empire, it kept a considerable degree of independence, until taken by the Marathas in 1732. The capital of Malwa was then shifted back to Dhar, and the slide in Mandu's fortunes that had begun with the absconding of Baz Bahadur became a plummet. | | | | Related article(s) | |
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