Royal Enclave

¤ Mosque of Dilawar Khan

The earliest Islamic building in Mandu is the Mosque of Dilawar Khan (the founder of Mandu) built in 1405. It comprises a central court enclosed by a colonnade and boasts of Hindu elements in the main entrance, columns and ceiling. Obviously enough, masonry was salvaged from local Hindu temples to build this mosque.

At the south end of the square, which lies to the east, are the ruins of a balcony, the Nahar Jharoka or Tiger balcony. It has been named so because the figure of a tiger once supported it. Mughal in origin, it was used for the purpose of public audience.


¤ Hathi Pol

The Hathi Pol or the Elephant Gate, with two elephants flanking it, is the main entrance to the palace enclosure. There are side bastions and guardrooms between the inner and outer arches in the conventional manner.
The gun bastions suggest that this gate was probably made later during the time of Jahangir. Near this gate are two wells, one has arcades and landings while the other has a domed centrepiece.


¤ Gada Shah’s Shop

Next comes Gada Shah’s Shop and House (1520) which are popular names given to a very interesting range of ruins, once used by Medini Ray, a Rajput chief during the reign of Mahmud II.
In the centre of the hall was a fountain and in the southwest corner are two paintings of a chief and his lady.


¤ Hindola Mahal

Coming up now is a really peculiar palace, the Hindola Mahal or Swinging Palace (1425). This place was named so because of its battered or sloping sidewalls and its austere simplicity.
On both sides are windows filled with delicate stone tracery. T-shaped in plan, it was built as a hall of audience during the rule of Ghiyath-ud-Din.


¤ Champa Baoli

Running adjacent to the north of the Munj Talao is a jumble of ruins that were once the favoured retreat of the Sultans of Malwa. You’ll spot an underground well, Champa Baoli (its water is said to have smelt like the champak flower), and a labyrinth of cool, underground rooms for use in summer.
There’s even a clever ventilation system that used to keep the palace complex cool and comfortable. In case you thought the builders forgot all about winter, there’s the hammam or hot bath to prove you wrong.


¤ Jahaz Mahal

The Jahaz Mahal or the Ship Palace is the piece de resistance of the Royal Enclave. Built in the late 15th century, it is a quintessential Indian romantic folly.
Resembling a ship, the palace has been constructed between two lakes, Munj Talao and Kapur Talao, to seem like a ship afloat.
This ship once had an all-women crew when it was used to house the harem of Ghiyath-ud-Din. A man of strong passions Ghiyath-ud-Din had women from such far-flung places as Abyssinia and Turkey in his harem.
The ground floor leads to the roof terrace which is punctuated with kiosks and pavilions.

Inside the palace are three large halls with a huge bath at the northern end. Architecturally, this monument comes at the end of Mandu’s classical period, by which time the style was imbued with qualities of lightness and grace, enriched with dazzling coloured glazes.


¤ Taveli Mahal

Stop by to see the Taveli Mahal

, once stables and a guardhouse. This is just the place for a grand view of Mandu and the surrounding countryside.
It is also the Archaeological Survey of India’s Antiquity Gallery.
Exhibits include fragments of utensils and vessels found at the site and some stone images.
Open 0930-1730hrs; Admission free on Friday.