Credit: IRSHAD ALI
History and Architecture of Mandu
Mandu is a historical place in MP whose history starts from the 6th century when it was a fortified city in 555 AD. As per a Sanskrit inscription, it was known as Mandap Durga, which means hall for Durga worship, that changed into Mandu.
The importance of this place rose suddenly when the Paramars shifted their capital from Ujjain to Dhar, 35 kilometers north of Mandu. Later in the year 1261, the capital of Parmars was shifted from Mandu to Dhar
The rocky plateau of Mandu provided a safeguard against the enemies. However, later, those defenses were breached by the Muslim invaders in the 12th century. Eventually, the Mandu Fort fell to the Mughals in 1305.
Later, when the Mughals were busy handling the Mongols on their northern border, the Malwa Afghan governor, Dilwar Khan, seized the opportunity and established an independent kingdom by renaming Mandu to Shadiabad, which means “city of joy.”. He died four years after taking the throne. During the reign of Hosan Shah (1404- 35), Mandu reached a height of glory. He erected magnificent buildings and structures in Mandu, including the Jama Masjid, Delhi Gate, and the Sultan’s Tomb. All these structures later became the primary tourist attractions.
After Hasan Shah’s grandson took over the charge, he was unfortunately poisoned to death after being on the throne for just a year by Mohammad Shah Khaljis. Mandu enjoyed a period of peace and prosperity under Giyath Shah, who ruled for 31 years and was later poisoned by his son Nasir Shah in a bid for the throne. However, he could rule only for 10 years before dying later of guilt. Suffering from feuds and the threat of rebellion, Mandu became an easy target for the militaristic sultan of Gujarat, Bahadur Shah, who invaded the city in 1526.
Bahadur Shah was defeated in 1534 by Humayun and gave control to an officer of a previous dynasty, but Baz Bahadur seized it in 1554 but later lost control with the arrival of Emperor Akbar.
The history of Mandu again took a turn when the Marthas took control in 1732 and moved the capital back to Dhar from Mandu. As a result, Mandu became almost uninhabited. If you are an avid history lover you will surely want to visit this place and have an experience of the time that tells a story of its time.
How to Reach Mandu
By Road:
Mandu can be easily reached by road as it is well-connected to major cities like Indore, Ujjain, Bhopal, and Dhar. State-run buses and private taxis are available from these cities to reach Mandu.
By Train:
The nearest railway station to Mandu is Ratlam Junction, which is located approximately 124 km away. From Ratlam, one can hire a taxi or take a bus to reach Mandu. Indore Junction railway station is also a convenient option, located about 95 km away.
By Air:
The nearest airport to Mandu is the Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport in Indore, which is about 100 km away. From the airport, one can hire a taxi or take a bus to reach Mandu. There are direct flights to Indore from major cities in India like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Hyderabad.