The tragic love story of Baz Bahadur and Rupmati is woven into the very fabric of the ruins and deserted fort of Mandu. Perched along the Vindhya ranges Mandu with its natural defenses is one of the most beautiful and romantic forts in Madhya Pradesh. Raja Bhoj founded it in the 10th Century Subsequent Rulers, from the Sultans of Malwa to the Khiljis to the Mughals built exquisite Palaces, baths, ornamental Canals and pavili ons. After it was conquered by the Mughals, Baz Bahadur came to power in the middle of the 16th century. He is said to have fallen in love with a beautiful singer. He made her his queen and carried her away to his fort at Mandu and built her a beautiful pavilion/palace to stay in. It still exists, this Rani Rupmati's pavilion and sits at the very edge of the fort, almost lonely, overlooking the valley of the Narmada River. The happiness of the lovers was short lived as the Mughal Emperor Akbar heard of Rupmati's beauty and conquered Mandu. Baz Bahadur fled and Rupmati poisoned herself-a tragic tale indeed. Those who come hear to see the sunset almost feel the presence of the lovers, as the legend hangs heavy overhead. Baz Bahadur's Palace is an amalgam of Mughal and Rajasthani styles. It had a unique water lift, a marvel of engineering, to supply water from a tank to the Palace
Mandu is a celebration in stone of life and joy in fact it means city of joy. The almost 30 mile wall encircling Mandu has 12 gateways, the main entrance to this fortress city being the Delhi Darwaza (Gate). The most famous building in Mandu is a shiplike building Jahaz Mahal (Ship Palace) built between two artificial lakes, Munj Talao and Kapur Talao. This elegant two storeyed Palace was once home to about 2000 women of the ruler's harem. It is and unusual an imaginative creation of a royal pleasure craft in stone, with open pavilions and terraces and balconies hanging over the water. A small museum lies close by and houses stone carvings and pieces of household ware found in the area. A wide ramp, perhaps used by elephants, leads to the Hindola Mahal. It gets its name Swinging Palace from its sloping sidewalls. To the west of this are several buildings and an elaborate and interesting stepwell, Champa Baoli, which is connected to underground vaulted rooms where arrangements for cold and hot water were made.
The Jama Masjid is a fine example of Afghan architecture and is patterned on the Omayyed Mosque in Damascus.
Hoshang Shah's tomb behind the mosque is perhaps India's oldest and first marble building (1435) with a magnificent dome and delicate marble latticework. Shah Jahan is said to have sent his architects to study its design and draw inspiration from it before he built the Taj Mahal.
The glory of Mandu lives on, in legends and in songs. The Balladeers sing to this day, chronicling for posterity, the glories of Mandu and the love of Baz Bahadur for his Rani Roopmati.
The best way to reach Mandu is from Indore (the nearest airport) 100 km/60 miles away.