Jahaz Mahal Mandu: The Forgotten History Lesson You’ll Actually Love

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Have you ever come across a place that resembles a ship? Ah, yes! Even I have been to ship-themed cafés & restaurants. But a real palace that looks like one? Now that’s something else! That’s what you’ll find at Jahaz Mahal Mandu, an old 15th century beauty right in the heart of Mandavgarh, Madhya Pradesh, India.

And well, Jahaz Mahal was no ordinary palace! Legend has it that anyone new arriving here would get a gold coin & brick as a welcome gift. Ah! I wish I could’ve been there for that! But jokes apart, Jahaz Mahal was basically a harem & relaxation area for women, between the Kapur & Munj tanks. It was huge, grand & resembled a ship floating on water in the monsoons. 

But that’s not all! Today, I’m going to share some of the lesser known Jahaz Mahal’s secrets – the concepts, plans & so much more directly from Rishabh Jaiswal, Mandu’s local guide & expert.

PSSSTTT!!! We’ve sprinkled affiliate links to relevant products from the Indian market in this article! 🛍️ Shopping through them helps architectural writers like us earn a small commission 💸 at no extra cost to you!

Top Insights

• The Jahaz Mahal Mandu looks like a ship due to its narrow, water tank-flanked site, Indo-Islamic influences & airy, harem-style design.
• Besides the striking red sandstone, the palace uses a mix of materials like basalt, fieldstones, lime mortar, plaster, iron clamps & teak wood.
• Even with the big Munj and Kapur tanks, the Jahaz Mahal Mandu has the tortoise tank, lotus-shaped tank & some other step wells for year-round water flow.

What is Mandu & Where is It Located? 

Mandu or Mandavgad is an ancient, historical town in the Malwa & Nimar region of Madhya Pradesh. Distance wise, it’s almost 35km from Dhar & over 287km from the capital, Bhopal. 

Actually, back in the 11th century, Mandu was simply a local subdivision under the Tarangagadh or Taranga kingdoms. But yes, its boundaries were small and there was no cultural or political exchange. In fact, the community majorly consisted of farmers and artisans for stone work.

It was in the later half of the 11th century that Mandu became a military outpost under the Paramaras. Thus, it got its fortifications, temples, bastions, etc. And then, by the 13th Century, the Mughals conquered the ready military frontier. 

But that’s not all! We even interviewed an official Mandu tourist guide, Rishabh Jaiswal to find out more about the Jahaz Mahal Mandu history. And here are the exact details: 

• 1305: Allaudin Khilji captured Malwa, killed the Paramara king Mahalakadeva & appointed Ayn al-Mulk Multani as the governor.
• 1401: Then Dilawar Khan took over. Later, his son, Hoshang Shah, erected royal structures – Ashrafhi Mahal, Jami Masjid, etc. Plus, he renamed Mandu to Shadiabad (the City of Joy).
• 1436: Ghiyas-ud-din seized Mandu’s throne and changed the Royal complex. He built the Jahaz Mahal Mandu, for example, to house over 15,000 women. 
• 1531: Bahadur Shah of Gujarat conquered Mandu on 28 March 1531. Then, in 1553, Feroz Khan (Sher Shah Suri’s grandson) became the king, but he was later killed by Adil Shah Suri. 
• 1732: Finally, the Marathas established their rule in Mandu via the Peshwa Bajirao 1. And eventually, the Peshwas transferred the rights to their generals, i.e. the Holkars, roughly around 1733.
• 1770s: However, Mandu witnessed a devastating ‘black fever’ epidemic, around the 1770s. It’s estimated that over 80% of people died, while the rest fled to the neighboring cities. Hence, the city was abandoned & even the grand Jahaz Mahal was reduced to ruins. 

Some Quick Jahaz Mahal Mandu Details & Facts You Must Know

You know once, the then emperor of Mandu, Sultan Ghiyas-ud-din Khilji was simply resting on the Mahal’s terrace. It was peak monsoon, and all the pools were literally overflowing. While he was taking in the view, he spotted the palace’s reflection in the water, and honestly, it looked just like a ship with its long walls and the sailor’s stairs.

That’s when the emperor decided to call it ‘Jahaz Mahal,’ which means ‘ship palace’ in Urdu. Pretty amazing, right?

A Quick Sneak Peek Into the Jahaz Mahal Mandu History

So, basically there are three stories about what the Jahaz Mahal is all about. Some believe it was an inn for Afghan, Arabic, Irani, Iraqi and Turkish pilgrims. Others think it was a family summer getaway for Akbar Shah II and Bahadur Shah II. While, the rest  argue that it was a royal harem.

No matter which story is true, we do know that at least one of the two floors was definitely a harem with secret escape trap doors, ventilation stacks & more. In fact, here are more details:

1470–1480: Sultan Ghiyas-ud-din Khilji commissioned a two-storey palace between the Munj & Kapur Talab. And for that, he mixed pillared pavilions, domed kiosks & water pools with the regional stone & terracotta pipes. Some historians even say he had over 15,000 women living there!

1500: An antagonist poisoned Sultan Ghiyas-ud-din. And thereafter, the Jahaz Mahal lost its glory.

1534: Humayun captured Malwa. Thus, the Jahaz Mahal became a part of the Mughal Empire for the first time. Experts predict that this was when they added jaalis, secondary domes & railings.

1617: Jahangir visited Jahaz Mahal and called it “a wonderful assembly” in his memoirs. However, that was the last time a royal visited.

1730 – 1780s: The Maratha’s captured central India & the Jahaz Mahal went under the Holkars. Sadly, everyone left because of a nasty black fever outbreak & the palace ruined.

2000s – Present: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) named the ‘Jahaz Mahal Mandu’ as a monument of National Importance. They’ve even started the restoration –  cleaning pools, fixing stones & clearing debris. These days, it even hosts a sound & light show that tells visitors about the palace’s history. Amazing, isn’t it? 

What Was the Initial Concept Behind the Jahaz Mahal in Mandavgarh? 

As we all saw above, the Sultan wanted the Jahaz Mahal to look like a ship. Partly because, it had these huge water tanks around. So, artisans were ordered to have a long, cuboidal form with terraces & chhatri pavilions to mimic a ship. But that’s not all! Here are some lesser-known concepts that the guide told us:

• Site Peculiarities: You see the Jahaz Mahal is located on a narrow strip of land between the Kapur & Munj pond. So artisans had to use a low facade, columns & pavilion roofs. And eventually, this positioning created a visual illusion of a ship in water, especially when viewed from a distance or during monsoons when water levels rise. Even its reflection looks a ship, with two tapering ends on either sides.
• Islamic Influences: If you’ve ever strolled through the Shalimar gardens in Kashmir, you’ll notice that the Jahaz Mahal Mandu shares those same Indo-Islamic vibes. Say charbagh layouts, fountains, reflecting pools, and symmetry. So, these elements eventually give off a ship-like appearance on land.
• The Romanticism: Since the Jahaz Mahal was also meant to be a harem, some historians quote that the Sultan wanted a dreamy, airy & fascinating design. And for Afghans, water was the ultimate luxury, right? So, the Sultan conceptualized Jahaz Mahal along the fringes of the two main ponds, with two secondary tanks & water channels all around. And eventually, the design came out as a pool deck.

The Jahaz Mahal Mandu Site Study & Mapping

So once you enter Mandu, you have two options. You can either park your car in the main lot and stroll about 1.5 km to the royal complex. Or, you can hire a local auto or tanga for 20 to 40₹. And then, when you get the 25₹ entry ticket, you’ll see the horse stables on the right and the Jahaz Mahal on the left. You won’t really see any water tanks from here.

Jahaz Mahal Mandu Visitor Info

• Open All Week: The monument is open every day from sunrise to sunset; plus, there ain’t any closures as such. So, you can plan your trip accordingly. 
• Timings: 6:00 A.M. To 7:00 P.M.
• Entry Fees: It’s just ₹5 for Indians (yes, the price of your favorite street chai!) and ₹100 for foreign visitors.

Now that you know how to get in, let’s talk about what you’ll actually notice once you’re inside…

• Topography: See, the Jahaz Mahal lies on flat, peninsular land between the two tanks. And since the original land was a bit marshy, they needed rafts & piles. But other than that, it has a 633m elevation & a steep slope towards the southern Narmada valley.
• Climate: Despite its proximity to the Narmada, the Jahaz Mahal Mandu has a tropical climate. Like, winters have a mild 20 °C temperature, while summers are sizzling at over 40 °C. Also, IMD states that Mandu gets around 1071 mm of annual rain, and it gets humid by over 85% in August. So, the labor had to use 3-layered walls, funnel windows, high ceilings, interconnected halls & a north-south axis to circulate winds.
• Vegetation: Now, the Jahaz Mahal already sits on a grassy terrace between the two ponds. But last month, when I went there, I saw teak and sal forests all along the plateau. And surprisingly, even Jahaz Mahal still has formally landscaped lawns, flowerbeds & pools, all thanks to ASI.
• Accessibility: Though the Jahaz Mahal lies inside the fortified Mandu, it’s well-connected by roads. Like, you’ve got the main Mandu Marg to the east and the Dhar Mandav road to the north. Even the Mandu bus stand is just 1.5 km away, so no worries!

How to Reach Mandu? 

So basically, you have two main options to reach Mandu – by train + road or by air + road. Here are the exact details: 

• First, you can either reach Indore (88km from Mandu) or Dhar (33km from Mandu) by train. From there, you can hire a bus or cab to reach Mandu.
• Second, you can reach the Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport, approx 90 to 95km from Mandu & then hire a bus or cab further.

Note: Even though the site’s maintained by ASI & all, I’ve personally observed some cracks & stone mortar erosion during my last visit there. Even the pond was full of moss & lichen. In fact, I even saw some visitors rubbing their shoes on the stone steps. If this goes on, then the masonry will break or degrade for sure! 

How is the Jahaz Mahal Mandu Plan Like? 

As you all see above, the Jahaz Mahal Mandu follows a pretty sorted, rectangular plan. Like, the structure is 15.2m wide, has two storeys, three large halls, an eastern entrance & recessed arches. And since these halls were used as a harem, they had curtains, screens & arched openings for privacy. 

In fact, there are over 2-3 such halls on the ground floor with corridors in between them. Plus, there’s also a bathing pool nearby. Then, behind the rooms is a huge pavilion overlooking the Munj Talab. From here, the queens could either visit the garden, or take the stairs up. 

Then, on the first floor, we have some secondary rooms & terraces. The terraces do have pavilions for shade, but those have a mix of domical & pyramidal roofs. And then at the north, you have another 30,000 liter tank for water supply. Here are some more Jahaz Mahal plan details you must know:

• Lotus & tortoise shaped ponds, each with a capacity of 30,000 liters for drinking & bathing water
• Thick, plastered walls with clamped iron & stone
• Around 15–20 rooms for the royal harem with integrated baolis (step wells) & tanks
• Open U-shaped court with rectangular rooms on either sides
• Thick, 3 feet (0.86m) three layered walls with stone, fillers & plaster 

Note:  I get that the Jahaz Mahal was for relaxation and leisure, but it’s interesting to see that there aren’t any defense mechanisms. No towers, bastions, or fortified walls to protect against attacks.

What’s So Special About the Jahaz Mahal Section?

So, the Jahaz Mahal Mandu has a total height of over 110 m. The plinth sits about 1m above the lakes & lawns, while the foundations go down amid a gravel compacting. Then, there are these huge 1.2–1.5m load bearing walls, with about 6 arched openings on stone brackets & overhanging cornices. 

But that’s not all! Here are some more Jahaz Mahal Mandu sectional details that you must know:

• Thick, lime-mortar based slabs with a gentle  ~1° towards the internal drains on the first floor.
• Thin, sand-lime screed based slabs with chhatri bases & water channels on the first floor.
• 30–40 cm thick sandstone blocks with smooth lime finishing for the external walls
• A series of pointed arches (3.5–4 m span) & over ~2.5 m wide, 4m high barrel vault springs on the upper floor
• 10 – 12m wide external pilasters for lateral stability & seismic load protection
• Vertical shafts (30 × 30 cm) from the service rooms to the rooftop chhatris for exhaust

Note: While I know that the Jahaz Mahal was a private harem or so, but then I personally felt that it was a bit too dark inside, even at 12pm. Perhaps some clerestory windows or light wells might help!

How is the Jahaz Mahal Mandu Staircase Like? 

Take a look at the picture above. Don’t you feel that this external staircase looks like a sailor’s stair all the way to the deck? Yes, even we feel the same! You see, Jahaz Mahal Mandu has a straight-flight staircase with over 30–35 steps & the following details:

• 1.5 – 2m wide staircase with a 350mm tread & 180mm riser
•  Elevated landings and open risers for passive cooling & lake breeze circulation
• 15th-century lime-mortar bedding (lime-surkhi grout fills) for strength, flexibility & weather-resistance
• You’ll notice there are no handrails or enclosures, giving you those stunning, unobstructed views.
• The nosing is beveled to about 2mm to prevent chipping.
• Small weep holes at stair side junctions to drain the extra runoff to the lakes below

What Materials Are Used for the Jahaz Mahal in Mandavgad? 

As you all can easily make out, the Jahaz Mahal Mandu had dressed red sandstone for all the visible surfaces – walls, arches, jharokhas, chhatri bases. But want to know which other materials were used for the same? Here’s a list:

• Rough-hewn basalt and other fieldstones for the wall cores & structural mass
• Traditional lime–surkhi (brick-powder) mortar for the internal joints & smooth lime plaster for the external one
• Wrought-iron cramps and pins to lock stones & resist seismic pressure
• Teak or sal wood for door & window frames, scaffolding & lintels
• Carved sandstone lattice panels for windows and supporting stone corbels

How is the Water Circulation at the Jahaz Mahal Mandu?

As we already discussed over 45678 times in this article, the Jahaz Mahal Mandu sits between the man-made Munj & Kapur Talab (ponds). And surprisingly, both of them hold up to 2.5 million L water. But even then, the Sultan had the following provisions:

1. Hauz or the Main Central Pool: So, this one had a storage capacity of over 30,000 liters and was located right in the central court.
2. Lotus-shaped Pool: This one’s basically a small, petal-shaped pool on the first floor. Back then, people used its water for drinking, cooling & landscaping.
3. Kachva Talab: The name Kachva means tortoise in Hindi, and this pool is actually shaped like one! It’s on the ground floor and people used it for drinking & landscaping.
4. Step-wells or Baolis: Apart from the main water collection tanks, Jahaz Mahal had a series of step wells & private pools too. These eventually maintained a consistent water flow all through the summer. 
5. Water Purification Pool: So, the guide told me that Mandu surprisingly had its own water purification pools too. And basically it was a set of 10–12 tanks, each with different purifying agents. Some had gravel, some had charcoal, some had lime, while the rest had algae. So, people eventually circulated water in these tanks, reduced the silt & then transferred it to the other pools. 

Fun Fact: Over 1500 people in Mandu still use water from one of the original stepwells – the Andheri Baori located on the ground floor.

Myth vs Fact Check

You know, last week, when I returned home, I browsed through some Jahaz Mahal articles on the web. And I was really shocked to see some of them using the wrong images (especially those of the adjacent structures) in their blogs. So here, I’ll burst some of them:

FAQs

Conclusion

So, which of those Jahaz Mahal Mandu facts surprised you the most? Was it the mix-up with the photos on other sites? Or maybe the whole water storage and circulation thing? The layout? The huge material board? Whatever caught your eye, we’re pretty sure Mandu is going to end up on your must-visit list soon! And don’t forget to visit the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga while you’re there—it’s just 145 km away! Even the Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga is roughly 107km away. 

And, trust me, Jahaz Mahal isn’t just about history, architecture, and awkward photo swaps. Visit in winter and you’ll catch Mandu at its most vibrant during the annual Mandu festival. The whole city literally comes alive with adventure activities, live music, insane light displays, and even hot air balloon rides – it’s seriously epic! Even the palace a sound and light show that’s pretty hard to put into words. You just have to see it to believe it. 

Also, what other structures are you curious about? Habitat 67? Bharat Bhavan? Lal Bagh Palace? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

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External Resources

• https://dhar.nic.in/en/tourist-place/jahaz-mahal-ship-palace