Page 254 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - India

252  CENTR AL INDIA

Mandu: Jahaz Mahal

The Jahaz Mahal (“Ship Palace”) was built by the
fifth sultan of Malwa, Ghiyasuddin (r.1469–1500).
Lying on a long, narrow strip of land between two
of the many man-made lakes, Munja Talao and
Kapur Talao, the palace gives the impression of The Pavilions
an anchored ship, especially during the monsoon, The juxtaposition of conical and
when the lakes are full. This pleasure palace was domed roofs over the pavilions
staffed entirely by the hedonistic sultan’s harem of adds great charm to the Jahaz
15,000 women, who also served as his bodyguard. Mahal’s silhouette.
Tilework
Blue and yellow
tiles decorated
the pavilions.

Entrance

KEY
1 The terrace pool, similar in
design to the one on the ground
floor, is fed by a water channel. The Terrace
The most spacious
2 Narrow rooms lie at either part of the palace,
end of the ground floor, with its the terrace, with its
three large halls. pavilions and kiosks,
overlooks the lakes.
Exploring Mandu Southeast of Sagar Talao, down spectacular view of the
Between the Village Group a winding road to the edge surrounding countryside.
of monuments and Sagar of a cliff, are the Rewa Kund Baz Bahadur, the last sultan
Talao, Mandu’s largest lake, Group of Monuments, associated of Malwa, was defeated in
are several monuments with the legendary romance battle by the Mughals in 1561.
worth visiting. Malik Mugith’s between Sultan Baz Bahadur After this, Mandu fell into decline,
Mosque, built in 1432, has and the beautiful singer as the Mughal emperors only
carved pillars taken from Rupmati. Beside the Rewa used it as a halting place on
ruined Hindu temples. Kund Stepwell, fed by their journeys to the Deccan.
To its south are two an underground stream In 1616, Mandu briefly came
impressive buildings in whose waters are said to life again, when the Mughal
a pretty, wooded area – to be sacred, is Baz emperor Jahangir spent seven
Dai ki Chhoti Bahen Bahadur’s Palace, months here, renovating
ka Mahal (the “Nurse’s constructed between the palaces and giving lavish
Younger Sister’s 1508 and 1509. Its most parties at the Jahaz Mahal.
Palace”) and Dai ka Shivalinga at charming feature is Accompanying him was Sir
Mahal (the “Nurse’s Neelkanth Mahal an octagonal pavilion Thomas Roe, the Elizabethan
Palace”). The two overlooking a garden, ambassador to the Mughal
women were clearly royal now covered with weeds. court. He has left a fascinating
favourites, and the pretty, Located just south of the account of royal festivities and
octagonal-domed houses palace is Rupmati’s Pavilion, exciting lion and tiger hunts
show traces of blue and with its lovely fluted domes, at Mandu. A short distance
yellow tilework. from where there is a west of Sagar Talao, a flight
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp696–7 and p710

252-253_EW_India.indd 252 26/04/17 11:45 am
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Catalogue template “UK” LAYER
(Source v2.6)
Date 12th July 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm