Madhya Pradesh is having a rich historical past and associates its name with many ruling dynasties of India. Thus, the state exhibits a landscape bequeathed with various trademark preferences of these rulers. It also claims distinction for snuggling three prominent World Heritage Sites, as declared by UNESCO, namely Khajuraho temples, Bhimbetka Caves and Sanchi Buddhist monuments.
Each of them is an architectural representation that pays tribute to the rulers under whose regime it saw construction and to the deftness and precision of artisans who shaped it. While the temples and Sanchi monuments depict beauty achievable in stone, Bhimbetka Caves pictorially represent the magnificence of art. Apart from them, the state also preserves many other monuments, each of them as appealing as the other. There are architectural legerdemains of Mughals, Paramaras, Holkars and Scindias. Adding on to them are some of the most beautiful mosques built during the rule of Begums. Singular instance, steeped in history and immaculate in exposition, each monument of the state whispers a unique story of its own.
Islamic historical monuments in Madhya Pradesh, or historical places in Madhya Pradesh built by mughals, include Jahaz Mahal, Baz Bahadur’s Palace and Hoshang Shah’s Tomb.
Rajwada Palace
Rajwada Palace is an exquisite fusion of French, Mughal & Maratha architectural style and is a legacy of the Holkar rulers in Indore. With a 200-year-old history, this seven-storied edifice is an arresting monument in the heart of the city. Its upper floors are made of wood, while the lower three floors are made of stone. The place suffered three fire breakouts, the most devastating one in 1984. The rubble of the rear portion, with landscaped gardens & ponds, forms a major draw.
Lal Bagh Palace
Lal Bagh Palace is notable for its rich history and impressive architecture. Built in 1886 by Tukoji Rao Holkar II, its construction was carried out in three phases finally saw completion in 1921, under Tukoji Rao Holkar III. Its classic architecture, complemented by sprawling lawns, is a remarkable sight. Today, a part of the building converted into a museum preserves rare murals and other antique artifacts belonging to the Holkars.
Jai Vilas Palace
A gleaming white sandstone palace, Jai Vilas Palace of Gwalior was built by Sir Michael Filose. Designed to resemble an Italian palazzo, the palace was built to welcome the ‘Prince of Wales’. It edifice magnificently synthesizes Italianate structure, with Tuscan and Corinthian architectural modes. Today, 35 of its many rooms form the Jai Vilas Museum and display the royal memorabilia of the Scindias, along with other regal splendors culled from all across the globe.
Jahaz Mahal
The monument with a wonderful architecture, the unique construction will give you the opportunity to experience the wonderful creation. The ship is a two-storied and ship was constructed for the use of harem of Ghiyath-ud-din. He used to possess various beautiful women not only from different parts of the country but from other foreign lands too. The first storey was used to keep them or used as harem whereas the ground floor was the pavilion.
Baz Bahadur’s Palace
Baz Bahadur’s Palace is a fine specimen of Afghan architecture. Situated on the outskirts of Mandu, on the slopes of a hill the palace was built by Baz Bahadur, the legendary musician-ruler of Mandu who was a contemporary of Mughal Emperor Akbar. The palace is a reminder of the tragic love story of Baz Bahadur and his muse, Rani Roopmati. There’s a wide courtyard in the palace, encircled by halls and high terraces. As one climbs up the hill from the palace, one can reach {Roopmati’s Pavilion}, on top of the hill.
Hoshang Shah’s Tomb
The ancient hill fort of Mandu, is situated only thirty five km from the district headquarters, Dhar. The rock cut caves, namely, Lohani and Sat Kothari, are the earliest and rarer type of architecture amongst the over sixty structural monuments.
Hoshangs Tomb, a mausoleum built entirely of marble. Though it faces the entrance porch on the north the access to the tomb proper is from the south through a doorway of exquisite proportions and ornamentation. The interior is plain but for the ornamental moldings such as the miniature arches with blue enamel background running all along the rim of the dome. The main sarcophagus of Hoshang Shah is carved in the form of a casket with receding bands and with a mihrab molded at the top. There are other graves also below the dome, three of which are in marble.
Sanchi Stupas
Enlisted as UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Buddhist monuments of Sanchi, earn special mention due to their meticulous architecture. These ancient specimens of Buddhist art and architecture in Sanchi date back to the early Mauryan Empire (3rd century B.C. to 12th century A.D.) and thus, form the footnote for understanding birth, flowering and culmination of Indian Buddhism. Apart from Stupas & monasteries, there are also Chaityas, gateways and temples in Sanchi.
Among the monuments there are some famous historical forts in Madhya Pradesh
Gwalior Fort
The architectural skills endowed upon the people of Madhya Pradesh are very much displayed on the monuments of the state. Perhaps the best example of monumental heritage in Madhya Pradesh is the might wall that stands on the steep mass of sandstone, and is referred as the Gwalior Fort. The Gwalior fort is a magnificent medieval structure built by the rulers of the area. The fort has a maximum length of 2.4 kilometers, and a maximum breadth of 820 meters. It is built on an elevated area with a maximum height of 104 meters. The fort is a fine example of medieval Indian architecture. There are many impressive structures within the fort including the Suraj Kund, the Saas Bahu temple, Teli ka mandir and many Jian temples. The fort also offers a magnificent view of Gwalior city, especially after sunset. The light and sound show is a major attraction of the fort.
Mandu Fort
Mandu is the most famous among the Madhya Pradesh forts. It is famous for the legends involving the romantic pair of Baz Bahadur and his queen Roopmati. The architecture of this fort presents an interesting blend of Islamic and local elements. The fort stretches for thirteen km along the Vindhyas. Mandu flourished in the 15th century as the capital of the Paramara Dynasty who ruled over Malwa. The fort is home to many palaces, mosques and other buildings. The Jama Masjid deserves special mention as a fine example of medieval Islamic architecture.
Asirgarh
In its heydays, the fort of Asirgarh was considered the most secure fort in India. It is said that even Akbar faced great difficulties in his attempts to conquer the fort and ultimately had to bribe his way into it.
Chanderi Fort
Chanderi Fort is located in the small historical town of Chanderi in the Ashoknagar District of Madhya Pradesh. The Chanderi Fort is the most conspicuous monument in this ancient town. The Chanderi Fort dates back to the Mughal Period. The Muslim rulers took a lot of initiative to construct the fortification walls of the fort. The Mahals within the fort were built by the Bundela chiefs. The fort towers 71 meters above the city, and is a major tourist spot in Madhya Pradesh. The main gate of the fort is known as Khooni darwaza , a chilling reminder of the ruthless battles the fort has witnessed. The walls and fortifications of the fort have been developed during the regions of the Islamic rulers of the region. The fort came under Bundela Rajputs in the late 16th century, and since then many Hindu and Jain temples have been constructed in it. This imposing fort is located on top of a hill. The hill is raised at a level of 71 meters above the town. The fortification walls of the Chanderi fort protect it from outsiders. The Chanderi Fort is approached through three gates. The remnants of the Chanderi Fort include the Hawa Mahal and the Nau Khanda Mahal. Both these buildings were built by the Bundela chiefs. There is yet another gateway on the south western side of the fort. This queer gate referred to as the Khatti ghatti is 59 meter in length, Chanderi is well connected by bus to Gwalior, Bhopal, Indore, Shivpuri, Jhansi, Lalitpur, Sanchi and Vidisha.
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