The Darwazas:
The wall encompassing Mandu has 12 major gates or darwazas. The present road, through which Mandu is reached passes through many of these.
Since we started late, by the time we reached Mandu, we were hungry and had an early lunch in an MPTDC restaurant just before the town.
Roopmati's Pavilion:
Mandu has a number of palaces, tombs, monuments and mosques, of which we thought of spending more time around Rani Roopmati Palace. The town, as I was told, is testament to the love and romance between Prince Baz Bahadur and Rani Roopmati. As soon as we reached, we were greeted with some stunning architectural beauty in original form.
According to
Malwa legends, the music-loving Baz Bahadur built it to persuade a beautiful Hindu singer, Rupmati, to move here from her home on the plains. The love story is a subject of Malwa folk songs – not least because of its tragic ending. Lured by tales of Rupmati’s beauty, Akbar marched on the fort and Baz Bahadur fled, leaving his lover to poison herself.
We drove back from Rupmati Palace and parked our cars in front of Ashrafi Mahal.
Ashrafi Mahal:
The Ashrafi mahal is located opposite of Jami masjid, in the main market. Know more about Ashrafi Mahal
here and
here
Jami Masjid is seen opposite to Ashrafi Mahal with the market in between.
Jami Masjid:
Jami Masjid is situated at the tableland of the Mandu and hold a prosperous history of the place and of the Islam in the prior days. Jami Masjid was built by the rulers of Ghauri dynasty. The complicated marble work and its huge size will definitely give you the scope to uncover the mysterious past. Jami Masjid remains quiet and restful as it is not a historical monument only. It was once a place for thousands of worshipers is now nothing but bears history. The large area depicts the capacity of accommodating a hefty amount of worshipers. In Jami Masjid there are small chambers which were used for various reasons. The domes that are place are the hallmark of Afghan architecture.
Know more about Jami Masjid
here and
here.
Jahaz Mahal:
The Jahaz Mahal was a palace that was built between man-made lakes. It gave the illusion of a floating palace and hence the name was given. Built by Sultan Ghiyathuddin Khilji, it was meant for all the women, including his queens, their staff and the concubines. Memoirs recovered mention that there were roughly 15,000 women who were kept here!
It was already dark by the time we were out of Jahaz Mahal. Drove back home in Indore. Another trip down memory lane comes to an end here.
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