Mandu, Madhya Pradesh

Mandu
माण्डू
Mandav
town

Jahaz Mahal
Mandu
Coordinates: 22°20′7″N 75°24′57″E / 22.33528°N 75.41583°E / 22.33528; 75.41583Coordinates: 22°20′7″N 75°24′57″E / 22.33528°N 75.41583°E / 22.33528; 75.41583
Country India
State Madhya Pradesh
Population
 • Total 300,000
Languages
 • Official Hindi
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)

Mandu or Mandavgad is a ruined city in the present-day Mandav area of the Dhar district. It is located in the Malwa region of western Madhya Pradesh, India, at 35 km from the Dhar city. In the 11th century, Mandu was the sub division of the Tarangagadh or Taranga kingdom .[1] This fortress town on a rocky outcrop about 100 km (62 mi) from Indore is celebrated for its fine architecture.

History

The earliest reference to Mandu is available in the Sanskrit inscription of 555 AD which tells that Mandu was a fortified city even in the 6th century BC. It gained prominence in 10th and 11th century under the Parmars (who called it Mandavgarh, named so after princess Mandvi Chouhan of Khandwa), from whom control was snatched by the Khiljis of Delhi in 1305.[2] Then ruler Allauddin Khilji named Mandav as "Shadiabad" meaning the city of happiness (Anand Nagari). The town of Mandu, situated at an elevation of 633 metres (2079 feet),is perched on the Vindhya Range extending for 13 km (8.1 mi) while overlooking the plateau of Malwa to the north and the valley of the Narmada River to the south which acted as natural defences for the fort-capital of Rajput Parmara rulers of Malwa who originally built it. Towards the end of the 11th century, it came under the sway of the Taranga kingdom.

In the 10th century Mandu was founded as a fortress retreat by Raja Bhoj, but was conquered by the Muslim rulers of Delhi in 1304. According to famous legends of Nimar, the area covering Mandu, Narmada Valley and Katanera was ruled by Gautami Ahir in 14th century before it came into the hands of Muslims.[3] When Timur captured Delhi in 1401, the Afghan Dilawar Khan, governor of Malwa, set up his own little kingdom and the Ghuri dynasty was established, and thus began Mandu's golden age.[4] His son, Hoshang Shah, shifted the capital from Dhar to Mandu and raised it to its greatest splendour. His son and third and last ruler of Ghuri dynasty, Mohammed, ruled for just one year till his poisoning by the militaristic Mohammed Khalji.

Mohammed Khalji established the Khilji dynasty of Malwa (1436-1531) and went on to rule for the next 33 years. He mounted an unsuccessful campaign against the Delhi Sultanate and also suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of Rana Kumbha of Mewar in 1440. However, it was under his reign that the Malwa Sultanate reached its greatest height.[5] He was succeeded by his son, Ghiyas-ud-din,in 1469 and ruled for the next 31 years, who was a pleasure seeker and devoted himself to women and song.[4] He had a large harem and built the Jahaz Mahal for housing the women, numbering thousands, of his harem. Ghiyas-ud-din was poisoned, aged 80, by Nasir-ud-din, his own son.

Mughal forces led by Adham Khan, enter the fort of Baz Bahadur of Malwa, 1561, Akbarnama ca 1590-95.

In 1526, Mahmud II the sixth Khalji ruler made no resistance against the invading Bahadur Shah of Gujarat who conquered Mandu 28 March 1531. In 1530 Humayun, the second Mughal Emperor, succeeded Babur. Babur had established the Mughal dynasty. Humayun had two major rivals: Bahadur Shah of Gujarat and Sher Shah Suri. Humayun was engaged in a war with Sher Shah Suri when he learned of an imminent attack by Bahadur Shah of Gujarat who was being aided by the Portuguese. With an unusual swiftness Humayun attacked and defeated Bahadur Shah. Thus in 1534 Mandu came under Humayun's rule. Humayun fancied Mandu so he relaxed here for a brief, peaceful interlude [6] Humayun lost the kingdom to Mallu Khan, an officer of the Khalji dynasty. Ten more years of feuds and invasions followed and in the end Baz Bahadur emerged on top.[4]

Humayun
Sher Shah Suri

By this time Humayun had been defeated by Sher Shah Suri and had fled India. Sher Shah Suri died in 1545 and his son Islam Shah died in 1553. Islam Shah's 12-year-old son Feroz Khan became the king but was killed by Adil Shah Suri within 3 days. Adil Shah appointed Hemu, also known as 'Hemu Vikramaditya' as his Chief of Army and Prime Minister. Hemu had a rapid rise during Sur regime. A grain supplier to Sher Shah Suri's army and then Chief of Intelligence or Daroga-i-Chowki (Superintendent of Post) under Islam Shah, he became the Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Afghan Army (Sher Shah Suri's army) under the reign of Adil Shah Suri. Adil Shah Suri was an incompetent ruler and many rebellions occurred against his rule. Hemu was sent to quell these rebellions. During this period Hemu attacked Mandu also and Baz Bahadur ran away from Mandu. Hemu appointed his own Governor here. During this period Humayun had returned to India and in 1555 was again the emperor. In 1556 Humayun died after falling while descending a staircase.

Hemu was in Bengal at the time and sensing an opportunity attacked Mughals. Soon Agra, Bihar, Eastern UP, Madhya Pradesh were all won and on 6 October 1556 he won Delhi, defeating Akbar's forces, and had his coronation at Purana Quila, the next day. Akbar defeated and killed Hemu in the second Battle of Panipat on 7 November 1556. In 1561, Akbar's army led by Adham Khan and Pir Muhammad Khan attacked Malwa and defeated Baz Bahadur in the battle of Sarangpur on 29 March 1561. One of the reasons for Adham Khan's attack seems to be his love for Rani Roopmati. Rani Roopmati poisoned herself to death on hearing the news of fall of Mandu. Baz Bahadur fled[7] to Khandesh. Akbar, soon recalled Adham Khan and made over command to Pir Muhammad. Pir Muhammad attacked Khandesh and proceeded up to Burhanpur but he was defeated by a coalition of three powers: Miran Mubarak Shah II of Khandesh, Tufal Khan of Berar and Baz Bahadur. Pir Muhammad died while retreating. The confederate army pursued the Mughals and drove them out of Malwa. Baz Bahadur regained his kingdom for a short period. In 1562, Akbar sent another army led by Abdullah Khan, an Uzbeg which finally defeated Baz Bahadur. He fled to Chittor. Baz Bahadur remained a fugutive at a number of courts till he surrenedered in November, 1570 to Akbar at Nagaur. He joined Akbar's service.[8]

After Akbar added Mandu to the Mughal empire, it kept a considerable degree of independence, until taken by the Marathas in 1732 by Peshwa Baji Rao I. The capital of Malwa was then shifted back to Dhar by Marathas under Maharaja Pawar, re-establishing Hindu rule.[4]

Places of interest

Mandu, due to its strategic position and natural defences, was an important place with a rich and varied history. It was an important military outpost and its military past can be gauged by the circuit of the battlemented wall, which is nearly 37 km (23 mi) and is punctuated by 12 gateways. The wall encloses a large number of palaces, mosques, Jain temples of 14th century and other buildings. The oldest mosque dates from 1405; the finest is the Jama Masjid or great mosque, a notable example of Pashtun architecture. The marble domed tomb of this ruler is also magnificent

Some of the notable places are:

The Darwazas/Gates

The wall encompassing Mandu has 12 major gates or darwazas. The present road, through which Mandu is reached passes through many of these. Also encountered are smaller gateways built to provide protection to the above-mentioned 12 gates.

Jahaz Mahal/Ship Palace Situated between two artificial lakes, this two storied architectural marvel is so named as it appears as a ship floating in water. Built by Sultan Ghiyas-ud-din-Khilji, it served as a harem for the sultan.

Hindola Mahal

Hindola Mahal - meaning Swing palace is so named due to its sloping side walls. The Hindola Mahal might have been constructed during the reign of Hushang Shah about 1425 C.E. but may date to the end of the 15th century during the reign of Ghiyas al-Din. [9] It is one of a set buildings making up the royal palace complex at Mandu, which consists of the Jahaz Mahal, the Hindola Mahal, the Tawili Mahal, and the Nahar Jharokha.[10] The Hindola Mahal may have been used as an audience chamber.[11] There are a number of other, undated structures surrounding the palace - an evidence of the rich and glorious past.

Hoshang Shah's Tomb

India's first marble structure, it is one of the most refined examples of Afghan architecture. Its unique features include the beautifully proportioned dome, intricate marble lattice work and porticoed courts and towers. It served as a template for the construction of Taj Mahal.[12]

Jami Masjid Inspired by the great mosque of Damascus, this enormous structure is striking in both its simplicity and architectural style-with large courtyards and grand entrances.

Rewa Kund

A reservoir constructed by Baz Bahadur for the purpose of supplying water to Rani Roopmati's Pavilion. The reservoir is situated below the pavilion and hence is considered an architectural marvel.

Roopmati's Pavilion

A large sandstone structure originally built as an army observation post it is known today as Roopmati's Pavilion. Rani Roopmati - the love interest of Baaz Bahadur lived here and is said to have gazed at the Baz Bahadur's Palace - situated below and also at Narmada river, flowing through the Nimar plains far below, a river which the queen revered.

Baz Bahadur's Palace

Built by Baz Bahadur, this 16th-century structure is famous for its large courtyards encompassed by large halls and high terraces. It is situated below Roopmati's Pavilion and can be seen from the pavilion.

For further details the Bengali book Mandu by Prasenjit Dasgupta, published by Patralekha, Kolkata, may be read.

References

  1. ↑ "REPORT ON DEMONSTRATION OF RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEMS AT ROYAL FORTRESS, MANDU" (PDF). Mnre.gov.in. Retrieved 2016-01-22.
  2. ↑ "Enchanting Rani Roopmati - Travelogue". Naresh-lalwani.sulekha.com. Retrieved 2016-01-22.
  3. ↑ G. K. Chandrol, Madhya Pradesh (India). Directorate of Archaeology, Archives & Museums, Madhya Pradesh (India). Office of the Commissioner, Archaeology, Archives & Museums (2007). Katanera excavation, Dist. Dhar. Directorate of Archaeology, Archives & Museums, Govt. of Madhya Pradesh,. p. 14.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "History of Mandu - Lonely Planet Travel Information". Lonelyplanet.com. Retrieved 2016-01-22.
  5. ↑ Lane-Poole, Stanley (1970). Medieval India under Mohammedan Rule, (A.D. 712-1764). New York: Haskell House. p. 174. ISBN 9780838311967. Retrieved 15 April 2015 – via Questia. (subscription required (help)).
  6. ↑ The Mughal Throne by Abraham Eraly pg 47
  7. ↑ Smith, Vincent, Arthur. Akbar the Great Mogul, 1542-1605.
  8. ↑ Majumdar, R.C. (ed.) (2007) The Mughul Empire, Mumbai:Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, ISBN 81-7276-407-1, pp.112-3
  9. ↑ Bianca Maria Alfieri, Islamic Architecture of the Indian Subcontinent (New York:te Neues Publishing Company, 2000), 131-135.
  10. ↑ Imperial Gazetteer of India. Books.google.com. 2008-04-24. Retrieved 2016-01-22.
  11. ↑ "MANDU （ⅠPalace Complex）". Ioc.u-tokyo.ac.jp. Retrieved 2016-01-22.
  12. ↑ "Hoshang Shah’s Tomb, Mandu - Ticketed Monument - Archaeological Survey of India". Asi.nic.in. Retrieved 2016-01-22.

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