Jahaz Mahal — Attraction in Mandu

At a distance of 1.5 km from Mandu Bus Stand, Jahaz Mahal is an ancient palace located inside the Mandu Fort in Mandu, Madhya Pradesh. Also called Ship Palace, it is one of the prime places to visit.

A part of the Royal Group of Monuments, Jahaz Mahal was built in the 15th century by Emperor Mohammed Shah's son Ghiyas-ud-din who had a vast harem of about 15000 women. This double-storeyed structure was constructed to accommodate the royal women. Here, the Sultan's consorts enjoyed a life of luxuries and pleasures.

However, Jahaz Mahal lost its original splendor after Ghiyas-ud-din Khilji's death. This double-storeyed palace is encircled by twin ponds Munj and Kapur that give an impression to the spectators that it seems to be floating gently above the surface of the water and hence it is also named as Ship Palace. Here 'Jahaz' refers to a ship and 'Mahal' refers to a palace.

The panoramic view of the lakes, surrounding landscaped gardens, and the greenery beyond is breathtaking. The views make even the most uncultured person take a step back and appreciate nature in all its glory. Besides, the palace offers some postcard photo opportunities for enthusiasts like no other.

Jahaz Mahal in Mandu, India, features an impressive historical water harvesting system designed to manage and utilize rainwater effectively. This system, built around the 15th century, includes features like interconnected tanks, channels, and wells, demonstrating a sophisticated approach to water conservation. The palace's architecture also played a role in water management, with features like arched openings and pavilions designed to aid in water flow and filtration....

Two artificial lakes, Munj Talao and Kapur Talao, flank the Jahaz Mahal, and channels connected them. These channels ensured equal water levels in both lakes and prevented overflow..

The Jahaz Mahal had two wells, Ujala Baoli (bright well) and Andheri Baoli (dark well), for providing drinking water. Ujala Baoli, located in the palace's backyard, is particularly notable with its 265-foot depth and features like steps and a pulley system..

A siphonic system was employed to accelerate water flow, drawing rainwater from the roof and using pipes within the pillars to distribute it throughout the palace, according to a travel essay..

Water was filtered through a system involving sand and charcoal filters, with a central channel made of marble leading to the wells, says a travel essay...

Jahaz Mahal is open for visitors from sunrise to sunset (6 AM - 7 PM). It is accessible throughout the year so can be visited in any season. Still period from August to March is considered as the best time to visit Mandu monuments. The main reasons behind declaring this as best period is climatic condition and tourism in surrounding destinations. As we all know that Mandu is located in Malwa plateau thus this region is not very fertile but more rocky thus during monsoon period, it natural beauty is at its best thus Mandu received more tourists in monsoon season..

At the same time, we have to note that Mandu is surrounded by Hindu pilgrimage destinations like Ujjain, Omkareshwar, Maheshwar where lord Shiva is worshipped and monsoon is the time when special worships are done thus large number of tourists visit this region and thus Mandu get its benefit. With the end of winters till March, this rocky region become hot in daytime thus after March month, tourists footfall started decreasing....

Mandu is well-connected to most of the neighboring cities. Dhar in the North is almost 40 km away, Indore 95 km in the northeast, and Maheshwar is 65 km away. Bus facilities are a major transportation service used in this area........

Jahaz Mahal in Mandu is a popular monumental building and must see tourist spot during Mandu sightseeing. It best captures the medieval romance of Mandu. It is built during rule of Mandu Sultan Ghiyas-ud-din Khilji. He ruled over Mandu for 31 years and was believed to be the pleasure seeker who gave emphasis to women and songs in his ruling life. He was having a large harem (about 15000 women) for which he needs a proper building to accommodation of women. For this purpose Jahaz Mahal was built in second-half of 15th century. It is located inside the walled Mandu fort. While coming from Indore, we will find Jahaz Mahal in north of the Mandu group of monuments. It is located near Munj Talao, along with Hindola Mahal, Gada Shah Mahal. MP Tourism department hotel "Malwa Retreat" is also close to it. It means, during Mandu tour, it will be first set of monuments that we can visit, while coming from Indore city.

ABOUT JAHAZ MAHAL

Jahaz mahal is 110 meters in length and 15 meters in width. It is a double-storeyed structure which is situated on a narrow strip of land in between Munj Talao and Kapur Talao. Surrounded by pond water, it given an impression as a floating structure on water due to which it has been named as Jahaz Mahal. Here Jahaz refers to Ship and Mahal refers to Palace. Jahaz Mahal have entrance from east where the main entrance has a recessed arch and is flanked on each side by 6 arched openings protected by a continuous overhanging cornice having support of stone brackets. The ground floor in Jahaz Mahal has 3 large halls. All these halls are connected by corridors which ends with a rooms at either ends. Each of these 3 halls have attached pavilions at the rear, overlooking Munj Talao. These were seems to be used for accommodation and diversion of the women of the royal harem, hidden from public view by the curtains on arched openings.

Jahaz Mahal in Mandu is a nice example of creative imagination realized on ground. All the passages, windows were designed with arches in different designs. Similarly various creative design patterns can be observed in look of water tanks (Baoli), flooring and small openings of wall. At some places, we can see narrow by artistically designed water channels through water was passed. Different color combinations were used in floor tiles that given an impression of ornamentation. Terrace bears paintings of floral motifs.

HOW TO REACH

By Air :

For reaching Jahaz Mahal in Mandu, Indore Airport (Devi Ahilya Bai Airport) is the nearest one and also the best option. It is well connected with important cities of India like Mumbai, Delhi, Ahmedabad etc. We offer Indore airport taxi service through which one can travel from airport to Mandu and to further destinations like Maheshwar, Omkareshwar, Vadodara,...

This Panoramic view of valley and hilly locality comes alive with shower of rain and all its finery in the monsoon. 110 meter long and 15 mtr. wide ship like structure once was a residential place of 15000 queens of Ghiyasuddin Khilji situated between Kapoor and Munj Sagar Talab. The architecture is apparently inspired by Hindu and Afghani style. Folks tales are the King do not like the Queen with white hair so he made Kapoor Talab where hair after treatment with Kapoor and other Ayurveda materials converted into black color. Similarly the king do not like the fat queen so he constructed Munj Sagar Talab where the queens throws coin into it and going down to collect these- a kind of physical exercise to reduce fat.This was considered to be the happiest land during 500-600 AD and Great Mughal Rulers and their Subeditors ruled this place. Mandu is also associated with the Love Story of King Baz Bahadur and Queen (Rani) Roopmati from weaver caste. The palaces, monuments & tombs at Mandu r not as ornate or embellished as those belonging to Mughal school of architecture but they stand out because of their elegance yet simplicity of design. It is a perfect example of magnificent Afghan architecture Most of the structures are still required conservation and preservation by ASI or other similar Organization. The underground tunnels, drainage systems, water conservation, etc are worth appreciating. Most of the monuments are of the period of King Bhoja and earlier and have later been modified to Muslim architecture style by Khilji / Mughal rulers and their liege lords.

While planning for Mandu in July to September please do not forget to carry Umbrella and rain coats and take full enjoyment between shower of rain and Buttas and Tea. It is recommended to have 3 full days to cover all the places at a leisurely pace Rani Roopmati Mahal, Baz bahadur mahal , Ashrfi Mahal and...