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Important Palaces of Madhya Pradesh


 

Maurya Period Rajprasad

  • The remains of such forts were uncovered during excavations in Ujjain and Besnagar, Madhya Pradesh.

  • The artifacts discovered in the Gadhkalika area of Ujjain are likely to be remnants of the king’s palace.

  • Emperor Ashoka also commissioned the construction of a palace in Vidisha.

Chishti Shah Palace

  • This palace was said to be constructed in the second half of the 16th C.

  • Location: Mandu, Dhar

  • It was designed as a monsoon retreat and is also referred to as "Nature's Vista."

Gada Shah Palace

  • Located in Mandu, Dhar

  • This structure could easily be classified as a medieval shopping mall. 

  • Gada Shah, often referred to as the "Beggar King," is believed to have been a Rajput merchant-noble who lived in Mandu and thrived in ivory, saffron, and musk trade.

  • Near Gada Shah’s shop are two notable step-wells: Andheri (Dark) Baoli and Ujaala (Light) Baoli.

Kharbuja Mahal

  • Located in Dhar

  • Built by Mohammad bin Tughlak during his Malwa campaign.

  • It is during Maratha struggle, Anandi Bai, the wife of Raghunath Rao took shelter hero and gave birth to Peshwa Bajirao II in this palace on January 10, 1774.

Kushak Mahal Chanderi

  • This seven-storey building was constructed by Mahmood Khilji in 1445 AD, though only three floors remain today.

  • The palace was built to commemorate the Sultan's victory over Sultan Mehmud Sharki of Jaunpur in the battle at Kalpi.

Kaliadeh Palace

  • Kaliadeh Palace is situated on the banks of the Shipra River in Ujjain.

  • It was once documented as a Sun temple, featuring two tanks named Surya Kunda and Brahma Kunda.

  • The palace was built in 1458 A.D. by Sultan of Mandu Mahmud Khilji.

  • Persian inscriptions found at the site record the visits of Emperor Akbar and Jehangir to the palace.

  • The palace was damaged during the Pindari war but was later restored by Maharaja Sir Madho Rao Scindia of Gwalior in 1920.

  • Malwa King Naasir Shah met his demise by sinking in the pond at Kaliadeh Palace.

Madan Mahal

  • Located in Jabalpur, Madan Mahal is perched on a hill near Gadha.

  • Tradition holds that it was built by a Gond ruler named Madan Singh.

  • The fort is closely associated with Rani Durgavati, the Gond Queen, and her son, Veer Narayan.

Moti Mahal 

  • Located in Ram Nagar, Mandla, on the banks of the Narmada River.

  • It was built by Hriday Shah, who shifted the capital from Chauragarh to Ram Nagar due to fear of Pahar Singh Bundela.

  • Hriday Shah left an inscription at baghe that records the genealogy of the Gond kings, tracing from Yadav Rai to Hriday Shah.

Diwan Rai Bhagat Kothi

  • Location: Ramnagar, Mandla

  • Raja Hriday Shah constructed this building for his Diwan, Rai Bhagat. It is also known as Mantri Mahal.

 Begum Mahal/ Baghelin Mahal

  • King Hriday Shah built the Rani Mahal for Chimni Rani.

  • Location: Ramnagar, Mandla

  • This three-storey palace is constructed in the Mughal architectural style.

  • On the exterior of the palace, there is a Hamam-like Babadi where the queens used to bath.

Man Mandir Palace

  • Maharaja Man Singh Tomar built the Man Mandir Palace in the 15th century in Gwalior for his favorite queen, Mrignayani.

  • One of the significant sites within this palace is the Jauhar Pond, where Rajput women performed the ritual of Jauhar.

  • The palace also contains a circular prison, infamous for witnessing the brutal murder of Murad, son of Shahjahan, by his own brother, Aurangzeb.

Gujari MAHAL/ archaeological museum

  • Raja Man Singh Tomar built the palace in Gwalior for his wife, Mrignayani at Gwalior Fort.

  • Later,in 1922  the palace was converted into an Archaeological Museum by Madhav Rao Scindia.

  • The museum houses rare artefacts, including a miniature statue of Salabhanjika from Gyaraspur and replicas of frescoes found in the Bagh Caves. 

Karn Mahal

  • The Karn Mahal was built by Kirti Singh of the Tomar dynasty, who was also known as Karn Singh.

Vikram mahal

  • Located in Gwalior, this palace was built by Tomar King Vikram Singh.

  • The palace also includes a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Jehangir Mahal and Shahjehan Mahal

  • Located within the Gwalior Fort premises, this structure is also known as Sher Mahal, as Sher Shah originally built it.

  • Later, it was renovated by Emperor Jehangir, earning the name Jehangir Mahal.

  • Opposite Jehangir Mahal is the Shahjahan Mahal, which Emperor Shahjahan built.

Jai Vilas Mahal

  • The Jai Vilas Palace was established in 1874 by Jayajirao Scindia and remains the residence of his descendants.

  • This architectural marvel blends Italian, Corinthian, and Tuscan styles.

  • Sir Michael Filose designed the palace.

  • A portion of the palace now functions as the Jai Vilas Palace Museum.

Moti Mahal

  • It was built by Maharaja Jayaji Rao Scindia.  

  • At present the building houses the office of the Commissioner of Gwalior division. 

Ram Nagar Palace

  • Located in Chanderi, this retreat was built by Durjan Singh Bundela for hunting and sightseeing.

  • In front of the gate lies Mehjatiya Lake, which was constructed by Governor Bahjat Khan.

  • Babur camped here the night before launching his attack on the Chanderi fort on January 28, 1528.



Badal Mahal Darwaja

  • Located in Chanderi, the gate was built during the reign of Mehmood Shah Khilji in 1450.

  • Previously, there existed an underground and open city, which has now fallen into ruins.

 Singpur Mahal

  • Located in Chanderi district, this structure was built in 1433 by Malik Haiwat Nizam during the reign of Hoshung Shah Ghori.

  • Near the palace gate, a small shrine is dedicated to the kula-devata, or family deity, of the Rawatas.

Roopmati Pavilion

  • Originally constructed as a watchtower by Mahmood Khilji, it was later converted into a palace by Baj Bahadur.

  • The structure served a more romantic purpose as Roopmati's retreat, where she used the pavilion to worship and perform rituals while gazing at the Narmada River.

  • During times of invasion, Roopmati's palace also functioned as a strategic check post.

Baz Bahadur Palace

  • Located in Mandu, Dhar, after being defeated by Rani Durgavati, Baj Bahadur devoted himself to music and spent the remainder of his life with Roopmati, his beloved.

  • Their love story is intertwined with the history and romance of Mandu.

Jahaz Mahal 

  • Located in Mandu, Dhar.

  • The 120-meter-long Jahaz Mahal (Ship Palace) was built by Sultan Ghiyasuddin between two artificial lakes, Munj Talab and Kapur Talab.

  • It was used as a harem by the Sultan.

  • The ground floor of Jahaz Mahal features three large halls, all interconnected by corridors that lead to rooms at either end.

Hindola Mahal 

  • Located in Mandu, Dhar.

  • The T-shaped fort, built by Ghiyasuddin Khilji, gets its name from its sloping, buttressed walls.

  • Initially, it was used as a Darbar hall, but later it served as an amphitheatre.

  • The fort includes the Champa Baoli, named for its water, which was believed to carry the fragrance of the Champak (Magnolia) flower.



Asharfi Palace

  • Located in Mandu, Dhar, the ruins of Asharfi Palace are situated in front of the Jaami Mosque.

  • Initially intended to be a religious school for the mosque, it was later dedicated to its creator, Mehmood Khilji (1435–69 AD).

  • To the northeast of the palace stands a victory memorial (built in 1443), which Mehmood Khilji erected to commemorate his triumph over Rana Kumbha.

 Sheesh Mahal

  •   Located in Orchha.

  • It is flanked on either side by the Raja Mahal and the Jahangir Mahal.

  • This has royal accommodation, which was built for king Udait Singh.

 Jahangir Mahal

  • Orchha King  Vir Singh Deo built the structure as a symbol of warm reception of the Mughal Emperor Jahangir

  • The domes of the Jahangir Mahal, were built according to Timurid customs. 

Sawan Bhado

  • A subterranean structure served as the cool summer retreat for the kings of Orchha.

  • The basement was kept cool by a cleverly constructed Persian cooling unit, consisting of two adjoining wind-catching towers, known as the Sawan and Bhado pillars.

  • These towers were perforated at the top to capture the wind, and their lower parts were connected to a water reservoir.

  • The entire system, including the towers, water distribution (aqueducts), and the underground reservoir, was ingeniously linked to a Chandan Katora, or fountain, in the pavilion above the retreat.

Rai Praveen Palace, Orchha

  • Maharaja Madhukar Shah had three sons: Veer Singh, Ram Singh, and Indrajit Singh.

  • Indrajit Singh was deeply impressed by the poetic talents, sweet voice, and beauty of Rai Praveen.

  • Prince Indrajit Singh built the beautiful three-storey Rai Praveen Mahal in 1618.

  • She became popularly known as the "Nightingale of Orchha". 

Taj Mahal

  • Sultan Shahjahan Begum of Bhopal built the palace and was originally known as Rajmahal.

  • The name was later changed to Taj Mahal on the advice of a British official.

  • The palace features the “Saawan Bhado”, a replica of the Shalimar Bagh in Kashmir, Red Fort delhi

  • After the partition of India in 1947, Nawab Hamidullah Khan allowed Sindhi refugees to reside in the palace.

  • The refugees stayed in the Taj Mahal Palace for around four years before relocating to Bairagarh.

Sadar Manjil Bhopal

  • Sadar Manzil was constructed by Shahjahan Begum in 1898.

  • After her death, Sultan Jahan Begum transformed it into the Royal Court.

  • Its architecture was inspired by the Diwan-e-Aam of the Red Fort.

  • In 1953, the then Chief Minister of Bhopal, Shankar Dayal Sharma, converted it into the Municipal Office.

Lal Bagh Palace

  • The palace was built by Maharaja Shivaji Rao Holkar  in Indore.

  • The palace's main gates are a replica of the gates of Buckingham Palace of London.

  • The palace also houses the Nehru Planetarium.

Rajbada

  • The 7-storey Royal Palace, located in the center of Indore, was initially constructed by Malhar Rao Holkar and completed by Tukoji Rao II.

  • It is an excellent example of Indo-Maratha-French architecture.

  • The palace was severely damaged during the 1984 Sikh Riots but was later renovated by the Archaeological Survey of India.

Madhav Vilas Palace

  • The summer palace of the Scindias, located in Shivpuri, has now been converted into a training center for the Intelligence Bureau of the Government of India.

  • George Castle

  •  Deep inside the Madhav National Park, at its highest point stands the George Castle built by Jiwaji Rao Scindia for British King  George V, while he was to pass that way during his visit to India in 1911.

Raja Mahal 

  • The Raja Mahal is a three-storeyed structure and the oldest building in Orchha.

  • King Rudrapratap laid its foundation, and it was later completed by Bharatichand and Madhukar Shah.

  • The building is adorned with glazed lime plaster, adding to its architectural beauty.

Satkhanda Palace

  • Located in Datia

  • This palace is also called   Veersinghdev Palace or Hawamahal.

  • Built by Maharaj Veer singh Deo of Orchha.

  • This seven-part palace of Datia is quadrangular in Swastika shape.

  • Shahjahan came here on 19 November, 1635 AD.

Kamalapati Palace

  • Located on the bridge between Bhopal's Bada  and Chhota Talab, this structure was built in 1722.

  • It is named after Rani Kamlapati, the widow of Gond ruler Nizam Shah, Chief of Ginnorgarh.

  • Some historians, however, believe that the Parmara King Bhoj originally constructed it.

Gauhar Mahal

Built in 1860 by Qudisiya begam, first begum of Bhopal.Example of Indo-Islamic architecture.

Chaman Mahal           

  • Built by Afghan Commander Dost Mohammad Khan in Bhopal.

  • The Chaman Mahal is made of sandstone in Mughal and Malwa style of architecture and has 12 gates at the entrance.

Manik Bagh

  • In 1930 he commissioned the construction of the Manik Bagh ("Jewel Garden") palace in Indore.

  • The architect was Eckart Muthesius from Germany.

  • The Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris had an exhibition in 2019 called "Moderne Maharajah" dedicated to Yashwant Rao Holkar II and Manik Bagh, featuring some of the interior pieces such as the aluminium bed by Louis Sognot and Charlotte Alix.

Shiv Vilas Palace

  • Shiv vilas Palace was built in the reign of Maharaja Shivaji Rao Holkar in Indore.

  • The ground floor is constructed in the Greek style with red stone, while the second storey is built with concrete and wood.

Husenpura Palace

  • It was built in Morena, during the reign of Aurangzeb.

  • Its ancient name is Saraya Chhola.

Raja Rao Ratan Palace

  • Location: Ratanpura, Burhanpur

  • Shahjada Khurram revolted against Jehangir in Deccan, and Raja Raoratan was sent to suppress it from the side of Jahangir.

  • A battle ensued in which Khurram was defeated.

  • A pleased Jehangir appointed him the ruler of Burhanpur.

  • Raja Raoratan built this palace in the 17th century A.D.

Moti Mahal

  • Location: Asirgarh, Burhanpur on Bank of Pondhari river

  • The lower portion of the two-storeyed palace is made of stones.

  • One of the lawns has the grave of Shahjehan’s lover Moti Beghum.

  • The architecture of the palace represents an amalgamation of Mughal-Rajput styles.

Hawa Bungalow

  • Maharaja Shivaji Rao Holkar built this bungalow in 1884 A.D in Indore. 

  • This is a three storied building with a rectangular shape.

  • Overall whole building is looked like an Italian villa from outside and inside.

Phuti Kothi

  • Phuti Kothi construction was started by the Maharaja Shivaji Rao Holkar (1886-1902 A.D.) in Indore.

  • This building was constructed to encounter the probable attack of British army which has its army base in Mhow near Indore.

  • Unfortunately, the British administration unearthed the original objective behind the construction of this building, so the construction was abandoned and left uncompleted.

Narmada Kothi

  • Summer retreat of Maharajah of Indore.

  • Location: Barwaha, Khandwa

  • It was constructed by the Maharajah of Indore as a Retreat Palace and used by him and his family to enjoy their holidays.

  • The palace was built in European style.

Gulshan-e-Alam

  • Also known as Golghar, is located in Bhopal.

  • It was constructed by Nawab Shahjahan Begum as a zoological park, housing various species of birds and animals.

  • Later, the building was repurposed as the State Police Headquarters and is now being used as a museum.



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