Mandu Fort
About:
Mandu, or Mandavgarh, is a ruined city in the Dhar district in the Malwa region of western Madhya Pradesh state, central India. The distance between Dhar & 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.
Location info:
Address:Khargone,Madhya Pradesh, IndiaDistrict: DharNearest City:Best time to visit: July to September
Climate/Weather:
Will be cool and slightly hot
History:
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 metres (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 splendour. 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 khalji 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.[1] 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.Humayun Sher Shah Suri
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.[1] 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.
Interesting things to do:
Interesting things to Visit:
Jahaz Mahal, Taveli Mahal, Hindola Mahal, Champa Baoli, Jami Masjid, Ashrafi Mahal, Jain Temple, Baz Bahadur’s Palace, etc
Mobile range info:
How to reach?
Nearest Railway Station:Nearest railheads are Ratlam (124 km) on the Mumbai-Delhi main line and Indore (99 km).Nearest Airport:Nearest airport is at Indore (99 km), connected with Mumbai, Delhi and Bhopal.
Road Transport: Regular bus services connect Mandu with Indore, Dhar, Mhow, Ratlam, Ujjain and Bhopal
Nearest Visiting places:
The Darwazas/Gates
One of the many gateways punctuating the wall encompassing Mandu.
The wall encompassing Mandu has 12 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.
Jahaz Mahal
View from Jahaz Mahal-a popular tourist attraction.
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. [8] 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.[9] The Hindola Mahal may have been used as an audience chamber.[10]There are a number of other, undated structures surrounding the palace – an evidence of the rich and glorious past.
The arches of Hindola Mahal
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 humongous structure is striking in both its simplicity and architectural style-with large courtyards and grand entrances.
The intricately carved dome of the Jami Masjid.
Rewa Kund
Rewa Kund – a reservoir that supplies water to Roopmati’s Pavilion
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.
Roopmati’s Pavilion.
A view of inside of Roopmati’s Pavilion – a major tourist attraction.
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 can be seen from the pavilion.
Nearest Petrol Pump:
1.Petrol Pump
Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
2.Petrol Pump
Madhya Pradesh
3.Petrol Pump
Narsinghgarh, Madhya Pradesh
4.Petrol Pump
Shivpuri, Madhya Pradesh
5.Petrol Pump
Borkhera, Kota, Rajasthan
Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation:
Malwa Resort: Managed by MPSTDC. Near SADA Barrier
Malwa Retreat: Managed by MPSTDC. Near Sagar Talao
Jhira Bagh Palace: 45kms from Mandu, at Dhar.
Things to carry:
Tips & Suggestions:
Help Line/Phone Number:
Police Station:
1.Habib Ganj Police Station
MP Nagar Zone-II, MP Nagar, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
2.Chandpole Police Station
Sindhi Camp, Jaipur, Rajasthan
3.Kota Raj.
Rajasthan
4.Devpura Police Station
Bundi, Rajasthan
5.Indore Central Jail
Madhya Pradesh
Nearest Hospital:
1.Banipark Hospital
Kabir Marg, Near Collectrate Circle, Not Specified, Jaipur, 302004
2.Government Hospital
Bundi, Rajasthan
3.Indore
Indore, Indore City, Madhya Pradesh 452001
4.Manu Hospital
Saket Nagar, Shyam Nagar, Jaipur, Rajasthan 302019
5.Shekhar Hospital
A-69, Shah Pura, Near Manisha Market, Shahpura, Bhopal, Madhya pradesh 462016Society/Community Phone Number
Image Gallery of Forts in Madhyapradesh- Mandu Fort
