Mandu Things to Do

Enjoy the beautiful sunset on and around this point. All along this cliff there are nice views. But there is a platform with fence made for the tourists/lovers to be safe, approx. 200 meters from where this photo was taken...

This is the Royal Bath for the Harem of Sultan, believed to be built by Giasuddin Khilji, who is believed to be having thousands of wives and concubines.
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.

It was believed that his spies would inform him about the Hindu village beauties and teenage girls, he would send his force to lift the poor girl and satisfy his lust by raping them. Later they would be given place in the harem as no one would marry them. No one could say anything as he was the Sultan. No wonder , he was poisoned by his own son.

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Bawdi means a large water reservoir. Most probably it was used as rain water reservoir for harvesting and taking bath as well. Adjacent to Jahaz Mahal, this large water reservoir is worth visiting. It was built during the time of Raja Bhoj, the king of Malwa.

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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 portico ed courts and towers. It served as a template for the construction of Taj Mahal.

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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.

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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.

Rani Roopmati, was a Hindu Rajput singer of Malwa. Sultan Baz Bahadur and Roopmati fell in love with each other and were married according to muslim and hindu rites.

Adham Khan was prompted to conquer Mandu partly due to Rupmati's beauty. When Adham Khan marched on the fort Baz Bahadur met him with his small force and was defeated, roopmati poisoned herself. Thus ending the magical love story which was steeped in music,poetry ,romance,war and death.
Baz Bahadur, ever so fond of music, was the last independent ruler of Mandu. Once out hunting , Baz Bahadur chanced upon a shepherdess frolicking and singing with her friends. Smitten by both her enchanting beauty and her mellifluous voice, he begged Roopmati to accompany him to his capital. Roopmati agreed to go to Mandu on the condition that she would live in a palace within sight of her beloved and venerated river, Narmada. Thus was built the Rewa Kund at Mandu. Nowadays, their family members' are living in Indore.
Unfortunately, the romance of this Muslim prince and Hindu shepherdess was doomed to failure. The great Mughal Akbar decided to invade Mandu and capture roopmati and baz bahadur. Akbar sent Adham Khan to capture Mandu and Baz bahadur went to challenge him with his small army. No match for the great Mughal army, Mandu was easily defeated fell.

Baz Bahadur fled to Chittorgarh to seek help. As Adham khan came to Mandu, was surprised by the beauty of roopmati and Rani Roopmati stoically poisoned herself to avoid capture. Thus ended this magical love story steeped in music, poetry and beauty. ( History: Courtesy Wikipedia)

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Miyan Bayezid Baz Bahadur was the last sultan of Malwa, who reigned from 1555 to 1562. He succeeded his father, Shuja'at Khan. He is known for his romantic liaison with Roopmati, a singer of Rajput birth.

Baz Bahadur as sultan did not bother to look after his kingdom nor did he maintain a strong army, being devoted to the arts and to his paramour. The Mughals defeated him and captured his queen Roopmati, who killed herself at this turn of events.
Mughal forces led by Adham Khan, enter the fort of Baz Bahadur of Malwa, 1561, Akbarnama ca 1590-95.

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 surrenedered in November, 1570 to Akbar at Nagaur. He joined Akbar's service.

His capital was Mandu (now in Madhya Pradesh). Mandu was an important city for the Mughal emperors too. Akbar, Jehangir and Noor Jahan have visited Mandu. The Jahaj Mahal is in Mandu.

History: Courtesy Wikipedia

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We visited the place on 9th October'1993. That time Munu was not born. I was posted at Raipur, Madhya Pradesh ( Now Chattisgarh). We made a 7/8 days trip to Bhopal, Indore and Mandu. We stayed at Indore and Mandu for two nights. It was a memorable trip. The tips are being written after 18 years of our travel to Mandu, with the help of scanned pictures!!! Wow! I just loved the place.

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. Originally it was built by Raja Bhoj the last Hindu ruler of Malwa, now Indore, whose capital was Dhar. He built it as his resting palace.

Mandu was captured by Ghiya-ud-din-Khilji. This palace was re built by Sultan Ghiyas-ud-din-Khilji, in 1469 ,it served as a harem for the sultan. It is a major tourist attraction and many Bollywood movies were shot here. Actor Jeetendra & Hema Malini shot their famous movie Kinara here for many days.