Jahaz Mahal

Madhya Pradesh & Chhattisgarh


Dating from the 15th century, this is the most famous building in Mandu. Built on a narrow strip of land between Munja and Kapoor tanks, with an upper terrace like a ship’s bridge (use your imagination), it’s far longer (120m) than it is wide (15m). The pleasure-loving sultan Ghiyas-ud-din Khilji, who is said to have had a harem of 15,000 maidens, constructed its lookouts, scalloped arches, airy rooms and beautiful pleasure pools.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Madhya Pradesh & Chhattisgarh attractions

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2. Royal Enclave

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The Royal Enclave is the largest group of monuments, with several beautiful buildings from the 15th- and 16th-century Ghuri and Khilji dynasties set near…

3. Hindola Mahal

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Just north of Ghiyas’ stately pleasure dome is the Hindola Mahal, so-called because the slope of its walls sort of resembles that of the ropes of a swing…

4. Champa Baodi

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So-called because its water supposedly smelled as sweet as the champak flower, the Champa Baodi is a circular step-well with vaulted side-niches. It was…

5. Jal Mahal

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This palace on an island-like spit of land at the corner of Munja Tank is thought to have been a private retreat for noble couples. It has several step…

6. Palace of Gada Shah

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7. Turkish Bath

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8. Dilawar Khan's Mosque

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Built by Dilawar Khan in 1405, this is Mandu’s earliest Islamic building. It was built mainly with material from earlier Hindu temples – particularly…

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