MANDU

 Mandu is impregnable, on a plateau looking down upon the Nalmada river in the south. Currently, several historical remains dot in jungle and only a few private houses situate in the central part of Mandu. This fortress was already known as being eminent in a Hindu Kingdom of the Paramara Dynasty that ruled this region from the 8-13th century. After the early 12th century, it was attacked by Muslims of various Delhi Dynasties and became a battlefield. At the end of 14th century, Dilawar Khan Ghori (d. 1405) established an independent kingdom, whose capital is Dhar, in 35km north. Being called Mandu Shadiabad (town of joy), this town became his favourite retreat. His son, Hoshang Shah (reign 1405-1432) made this town the capital in the early 15th century. From then to the establishment of the Mughal, Mandu enjoyed its most prosperous period. Historical remains concentrate on this period, as if they prove its prosperity.
 Mandu is a fort constructed using natural geographic features, and its shape is complicated. Its main gate is Delhi Gate, situated on a road from Dhar in the north and it had been rebuild repeatedly before the Mughal period. The current main road of Mandu runs under this north gate, passing the east shore of the biggest lake Sagar Talao situated in the centre and going down to the south of the fort.
 Palace buildings are in between Munja Talao and Kapur Talao, which situate in the southwest side of the north gate, thus we called this area "Palace Complex". In the area between the palace complex and the north gate, there are some buildings remaining, thus we named this area "the neighbourhood of the north gate". Going further south from this part, one can see a building complex, whose main building is Jama Masjid; we call this area "the neighbourhood of Jama Masjid". In the farther south side of this part, there are a few mausoleums dotted on the east shore of Sagar Talao, thus we named this area "east shore of Sagar Talao". Going further south, we reach "south Fort".

 (Since there are numerous remains in Mandu and the area is wide so is the number of photos, so we divide Mandu into 5 areas. )

I. Palace Complex

II. The neighbourhood of the north gate

III. The neighbourhood of Jama Masjid

IV. East Shore of Sagar Talao

V. South Fort

 


Back to INDEX

top