BAZ BAHADUR PALACE

Brimming with marvellous amalgamation of Mughal and Rajput architecture, the palace was constructed between 1508-1509. It was commissioned by Khilji Sultan Nasir-Ud-Din for the last ruler of Mandu- King Baz Bahadur. The King became fond of this palace because of his eternal romance with the accomplished singer Roopmati who used to visit the nearby Rewa Kund. It is one of the Madhya Pradesh tourists’ places that you cannot resist clicking and posing at.

The timing of the Baz Bahadur Palace is between 7 AM to 7 PM. The entry fees vary. For Indians, the charges are INR 5, INR 100 per person for foreigners, and INR 25 for video cameras.

Mandu became a hill fort in the 6th century but it was not until the 10th century that it gained prominence under the Paramara dynasty. Most of the surviving architecture was built between 1401 and 1531 when the city was the thriving capital of the Sultans of Malwa. They renamed the fort ‘Shadiabad’ and built palaces, mosques and tombs beside gardens and lakes within its walls. After the fall of the Malwa Sultanate, Daulat Khan ruled Mandu as Sultan Baz Bahadur from 1555 until 1561 when he was deposed by the Mughal Emperor Akbar. The Palace of Baz Bahadur stands on a hill above the sacred tank Rewa Kund, contained in the royal enclosure in southern Mandu. It was built in 1509, before Baz Bahadur came to power, but was occupied by him.

According to the Persian inscriptions on the arch, the Mandu Baz Bahadur's Palace was constructed in 1508 by Nasir-ud-Din. After the final construction, Nasir-ud-Din Shah Khilji, who was then Sultan of Malwa at that time, was trusted with the task to design the aesthetic structure of the palace. The remaining structure required some repairs during the rule of Baz Bahadur. This is the reason why the architecture of this palace reflects an interesting amalgamation of Mughal and Rajput architecture style.The halls and rooms of Mandu Baz Bahadur's Palace have an arched gate, which skirts the huge courtyard. The spot can be adored due to the addition of a stunning cistern with a crystal-clear water place at the center. The adornment doesn’t just end there, the palace is further adorned with maximum chhatris or many uplifted domed pavilions. There is a huge room in this palace which now serves as a room to practice music and dance.

Baz Bahadur palace in Mandu is open for visitors from sunrise to sunset. Here most of the tourist arrival is experienced from October to April as it is the best time to visit North India and Central India.

• Jahaz Mahal : Located in the Mandu region of Madhya Pradesh, Jahaz Mahal was once a royal consortium that was built by the Sultan of Mandu, Ghiyās-Ud-din Khilji in the second half of the 15th century. The structure repletes with the medieval history of Mandu. The name “Jahaz Mahal” was so kept because the structure is surrounded by water and gives an impression of floating gently above the surface of the water. Jahaz Mahal is an architectural marvel with splendid details on it. The monument is a sheer example of the stunning Mughal architecture. Interestingly, Jahaz Mahal was built with the purpose of accommodating the 15,000 women consorts of the Sultan.
• Rani Roopmati Pavilion :  Mandu is a small fort city with some of the famous and interesting historical stories from the part. The Roopmati Pavilion in Mandu has a tragic love story behind the monument and brilliant architectural beauty which makes this place into a tourist hub. It is one of the most visited tourist destinations in Mandu and displays a beautiful architecture of the early days. The pavilion is placed at the hilltop situated on the southern side of the Baz Bahadur Palace.Roopmati Pavilion in Mandu was first built as an army observation post but later it was known as the symbol of love.
• Hindola Mahal : Also known as the swinging palace, the Mandu Hindola Mahal has an enigmatic beauty in its architecture and it’s one of the basic reasons it attracts tourists from distant places.The innovative structure of the Durbar Hall within is something to admire and explore. The entire structure is done in a Malwa-Sultanate architecture, which attracts numerous tourists.Moreover, the design of the palace was ahead of its time, the building has a hot and cold-water connection to the well-constructed rooms.
• Nilkanth Mahal : Built by the Mughal governor, Shah Badgah Khan, the Neel Kanth Palace is located very close to the Neel Kanth shrine, which is a shrine of Lord Shiva. The place has strong religious connotations and till date draws several worshippers to pay homage to the Lord.
• Kakra Kho waterfall : Situated at an altitude of about 633 m, Mandu is separated from the main plateau of Malwa by a deep gorge called Kakra Kho. This deep gorge is the venue for the stunning Kakra Kho Waterfall and is the first scenic spot where almost all the tourists stop to see the stunning ruins of Mandu.Kakra Kho Valley and Falls is located on the main road of Mandu.
• Hoshang Shah Tomb : Theoldest marble mausoleum in India, Hoshang Shah Tomb in Mandu is crowned with a small crescent which was known to be imported from Mesopotamia or Persia. The tomb was built in 1440 entirely with marbles, and it is also known to be one of the first monuments constructed with marbles. Legends have it that the construction of the Taj Mahal was inspired by this tomb.
• Darwaza of Mandu : Alamgir Darwaza was a single arched gate with a Persian inscription on its wall. Parapet wall is made of well-decorated arches.It is followed by Bhangi Darwaza named after a scavenger who was sacrificed to the spirits for successful completion of the fort. It is not in good shape and is roofless. The Kamani Darwaza has twin arches. Also called as ‘Kabaani Darwaza’ because during the war, only through this gate the bodies of the enemies were dropped over into the deep gorge.The next gate called Gadi Darwaza with two arches one above the other was built in the 15th century and is on the northern side of the hill.The main entrance gate of Mandu, Delhi Darwaza is a nice red-coloured sandstone structure with amazing decorations displaying the Malwa architecture.

• Ahilya Fort Heritage Hotel : A renowned heritage hotel nestled above River Narmada, in Madhya Pradesh, Ahilya Fort Heritage Hotel is a place worth visiting.
• Aamantran at FortMaheshwar :A unique boutique hotel near River Narmada, Aamantran is a blend of modern architecture and culture heritage. The hotel is affordable and renders a luxurious stay to its guests.
• Labboo'z Café and Lodge :Situated in Ahilya Wada, Maheshwar, Labboo’z Café and Lodge is a pretty decent hotel with fully equipped amenities for its guests.
• Hotel Shri Sharanam :The hotel is located right next to River Narmada and provides amazing food and great hospitality to its guests. The hotel provides a great experience to the guests to unwind and relax.
• Kanchan Recreation :If you are looking for a 3-star hotel during your travel, then Kanchan Recreation in Maheshwar is the place for you to be at. The hotel provides a quiet and relaxing ambiance to the guests

• Malwa Retreat Cafeteria : The cafeteria serves both vegetarian and non-vegetarian food.
• Relax Point :Located in Dhamnod, Dhar is a fast-food centre with a peaceful vibe. The place is a perfect spot to relax with friends and family.
• Malwa Resort :Undisputedly the best resort in the entire region of Mandu, Malwa Resort is the perfect place for you to relax.
• Shivani Restaurant :Specializing in Vegetarian cuisine, Shivani Restaurant is a must visit place for their delicious food. It is located in Mandav, Madhya Pradesh.