MANDU, MADHYA PRADESH

BRIEF HISTORY

Mandu, also called Mandava or Mandogarh, ruined city, southwestern Madhya

Pradesh state, central India. It lies at an elevation of 2,079 feet (634 metres) above sea
level in the Vindhya Range, 38 miles (60 km) southwest of Indore.The city’s ruins stretch for
8 miles (13 km) along the crest of the mountains. The battlemented wall, 23 miles (37 km) in
circumference, once enclosed tens of thousands of dwellings as well as lakes, marble
palaces, mosques, gold-topped temples, and other buildings; however, few of those remain.
Among the extant structures are the marble-domed tomb and the nearby Great
Mosque (Jāmiʿ Masjid; completed 1454) of Hoshang Shah, both notable examples of
Pashtun architecture. Another group of buildings just to the north includes the Jahaz Mahal.

EVOLUTION OR THE TIMELINE

According to a Sanskrit inscription of 555 A.D, the History of Mandu goes back to the 6th
century when it was a fortified city. It was later named Mandhavgarh in the 10th or 11th
century, by the rulers of the Parmara kingdom. In the year 1261, even the capital of the
Parmaras was transferred from Dhar to Mandu. Later still, in 1305, the Parmars were
captured by the Khiljis. Dilawar Khan, the Afghan ruler of Malwa, renamed the place from
Mandu to Shadiabad.

It was in the hands of Hoshan Shah (1405-35) that Mandu reached to heights of glory. Under
his rule, came up the magnificent buildings and structures of Mandu which later went on to
become the major tourist attractions of the city. The son of Hoshan Shah, however, was on
the throne for barely a year when he was poisoned to death by Mohammad Shah, the next
successor to the throne. After a reign of 33 years, full of ups and downs, feuds and
skirmishes, his son, Ghiyas-ud-din took the reins in the year 1469 and ruled for 31 years
when his son poisoned him to death in lust of the throne. However, he could rule for only 10
years, an unhappy one, though, till Mandu went to the hands of Bahadur Shah of Gujarat in
1526.

Bahadur Shah was defeated by Humayun in 1534, but with the departure of Humayun, the
city slipped into the hands of an officer from the earlier dynasty. Later on, Baz Bahadur
seized the city of Mandu in 1554. However, he was also scared off by the advent of the great
emperor, Akbar. Then the History of Mandu took a turn as it gradually passed on to the
Marathas in 1732. At this point of time, the capital city was reassigned to Dhar and Mandu
almost remained uninhabited.

Owing to the long reigns of the Muslims in this part of the country, Mandu houses several
Islamic architectural specimens in the constructions. They were, however erected by using
stones salvaged from the destroyed Hindu temples.
REKNOWNED PLACES IN MANDU

1. Jami Masjid

 Built in Mughal style of architecture, the construction of Jami Masjid was started by
Hoshang Shah and completed by Mahmud Khalji in 1454.
 The fort is one of the finest examples of Afghan architecture in India.
 The main entrance of the mosque is through the eastern entrance.
 The entire area of the mosque is 7,744 square meters (83,360 sq ft).
 The inscriptions on the eastern doorway to the porch indicate that the mosque was
modeled on the basis of Mosque of Damascus.

Architectural/Prominent features-

 The mosque stands on an elevated plinth of height 4.6 m and covers a square area
of sides measuring 97.4 m.
 The Masjid has three large domes, a courtyard, 54 smaller domes and colonnade of
pillared halls.
 The Jami Masjid is approached by a flight of about 30 steps through a porch on the
eastern wall, which is crowned with a gigantic dome.
 The doorway consists of decorated marble jamb along with a decorative archway.

Interior-
 The interiors consist of a beautiful courtyard with manicured lawns with a central
path way. Straight on the western side is the main prayer hall crowned with 58 small
domes, which are dominated by three gigantic domes.

 The prayer hall feels like an enchanting forest of pillars under the shadows of arches
and domes. It presents a stark but lyrical symmetry.
 The western wall contains 17 arched niches of Mihrab, decorated with blue tiles.
The central Mihrab is larger and more decorative than the rest.
 Located next to the central mihrab is a white marble pulpit approach by a flight of
stairs.

 The pulpit is crowned with a small dome, surrounded on four sides by battlement
like structures. The pulpit served as the seat of the Imam, who led the prayers.

 On the northern and southern side of the courtyard are arched passage ways similar
to those of the main prayer hall. These passageways numbering three on each side
does have a similar enchanting effect of the main prayer hall.
 The northern wall of Jami Masjid has two small gateways. One leads to the
courtyard, while the other leads straight to the prayer hall on the west. The
northern wall of the prayer hall also consists of beautiful Jali works.
 2. Hindola Mahal

 Meaning Swing palace is so named due to its sloping side walls.

 The Hindola Mahal might have been constructed during the reign of Hushang Shah
about 1425 C.E. but may date to the end of the 15th century during the reign of
Ghiyas al-Din.
 It is one of a set buildings making up the royal palace complex at Mandu, which
consists of the Jahaz Mahal, the Hindola Mahal, the Taveli Mahal, and the Nahar
Jharokha.
 The Hindola Mahal may have been used as an audience chamber.
 There is a replica of this palace in the Warangal Fort, possibly constructed under the
direction of the architect responsible for the Hindola Maha.

Architectural/Prominent features-

 The Hindola Mahal represents the characteristic elements of the architectural style
of the Malwa period (1400–1550): simplicity, boldness, and well-proportioned.
 The Hindola Mahal emphasizes its architectural simplicity with minimal
ornamentation and stands out boldly through massive inclined buttresses.
 These elements make the Hindola Mahal a unique exaggerated example of the
Malwa style.
 In addition, the pointed arches on the building’s interior reflect
how Malwa architecture was influenced by the Delhi styles. [1]

 The outer walls or the buttresses are sloping walls inclined at an impressive 77
degrees, giving the palace its name.
  Wall also neutralizes the outward force of five massive ogee arches that once
supported the large flat roof of the main hall. 

 The Mahal was constructed from sandstone.

 The exterior of the temple too is neatly chiselled and is simple. 
 Hindol Mahal is now used as an audience hall or an open-air theatre.

Interior-

 The building is T-shaped and has a main hall with a transverse projection
towards the north. The 'T' shaped projection was added later on as a guard for
the king.
 The interior of the Mahal is in the form of a cross by the main passage leading
all the way into the hall and with an arm crossing at the correct angle.
 It has exquisitely carved columns with the provision of hot and cold water
connected with the rooms situated underground.

 There are six arched openings on both the sides of the hall above which there
are windows with beautiful tracery work to allow the light and air inside.
 The roof has a huge arch which supports the huge ceiling above.
 The upper floor, which is divided into two rooms, looks onto the main hall through
an arched opening.
 The ground floor consists of a cruciform gallery with arms that extend to another
entrance to the building and an arch to the main hall.
 3. JAHAZ MAHAL
The splendid architecture of Jahaz Mahal occupies an expense in the Mandu region of
Madhya Pradesh. It was built during the reign of Mandu Sultan Ghiyas-ud-din Khilji.
Emulating the appearance of a mighty ship, the palace is an amalgam of  Afghan, Mughal,
Hindu and Mesopotamian architecture styles. It was built with a meticulous precision that
followed acoustic water supply patterns, subtly reflecting the pond that lies overlooking
the palace. The balconies are constructed in a way that amplifies sound such that
reverberates through the entire body of Jahaz Mahal.
The main purpose behind building this imposing building was to comfortably
accommodate all of the 15,000 women of Sultan Ghiyas-ud-din Khilji's royal women.
Situated between two artificial lakes, this two-storied architectural marvel is so named as it
appears as a ship floating in water. 
An elongated building measuring 110 meters in length and only 15 meters in breadth it
stands on a narrow stretch of land with two water bodies on either side, thus giving it a ship
like appearance, hence the name Jahaz Mahal or Ship Palace.
On the southern end of the eastern side of the Jahaz Mahal is a long flight of stairs leading
directly to the terrace. This steep staircase adds an extra element to the ship like
appearance of Jahaz Mahal.  the interiors of Jahaz Mahal is best approached through a
recessed arched marble gateway at the middle of the eastern wall.

The main gate is topped by a huge projected pavilion supported with decorative stone
brackets. The ground floor has three large halls connected by corridors. More over there are
narrow rooms at both the southern and northern ends. Each of the three halls has balconies
overlooking the Munj Talao. The southern and northern hall has small hanging balconies, but
there are no traces of the hanging balcony of the northern hall. The western side of the
central hall houses a large balcony, but is not hanging, it is supported by a room beneath it.

It has a domical ceiling and offers great views of the Munj Talao extending up to the Royal
Palace in south and Jal Mahal in the south east. A series of steps and pavilion descends to
the bottom of the three meter pool. The pool is surrounded by colonnade on three side,
leaving the eastern side open.

On the south east corner of the upper pool is a spiral aqueduct, which supplied water to the
pool. The channels were probably built to reduce the flow of water and induce luxurious
bathing for the sultan and his harem women.
The southern end of the Jahaz Mahal houses the remains of a large well. It was probably a
Persian wheel that lifted the water from the well to the upper reaches of Jahaz Mahal.

From there aqueducts transferred the water to the two swimming pools at the far end of the
Jahaz Mahal.

The two open air pools provided the ultimate aquatic entertainment to the sultan and his
15,000 harem inmates. Adjacent to the upper swimming pool on the northern side is a large
pavilion leading to the huge open terrace of the Jahaz Mahal.

The terrace provides great views of the Royal Complex on the northern part of the  Citadel of
Mandu. On the east are great views of Kapur Talao, with Taveli Mahal on its southern side.
On the west us Munj Talao with the Royal Palce to the north and the Jal Mahal on the north
east.

The spacious terrace of the Jahaz Mahal is adorned with several pavilions showing a pleasing
variety in their domes and turrets, that offers the most delightful view to a spectator.

The two pavilions at the northern and southern end of Jahaz Mahal are larger in size and are
divided into three compartments. The central compartment is crowned with a massive dome
while the two side compartments have pyramidal roofs. The dome towers above the the two
adjacent pyramidal roofs.

Each of the two longer sides of the two pavilions has three arched entrances. The arches are
pointed and the curved part of the arch is separated from the pillars by a horizontal beam.

At the middle of the eastern side and above the main marble arched entrance is a projected
pavilion supported by four decorative arched brackets. It has three rectangular entrances on
all four sides, with the central one bigger than the side ones. It is crowned with a  pyramidal
roof.

Just opposite this pavilion on the middle of western side is another square pavilion, but
much larger in size and crowned with a gigantic dome. On the open three sides is a balcony
supported with ornamental brackets. Each side has arched opening, flanked on both sides by
decorative windows.

4. HOSHANG SHAH TOMB

The tomb  stands in a courtyard to the west of the Jami Masjid. It is a square structure on a
plinth crowned by a central dome with smaller domes at the corners and an overhanging
cornice.
The Hoshang Shah Tomb in Mandu is considered to be the oldest marble mausoleum in
India. The brilliant tomb is crowned with a small crescent which was known to be imported
from Mesopotamia or Persia. The tomb was built in 1440 entirely with marbles, and it is also
known to be one of the first monuments constructed with marbles. Legends have it that the
construction of the Taj Mahal was inspired by this tomb.  the main sarcophagus of this tomb
carved in the form of a casket. The exterior of this tomb also reflects a great style of Hindu
Architecture, you will be able to see the glimpse of it in every nook and corners of the
monument, be it pillars, brackets, or the tomb.
The entrance to this place is given through a porch with artistic openings from all the three
sides of the structure. The further extension of the interior beyond the porch is done in the
stone pavement in the north and south corners.

The walls are ornamented with exquisite paintings and moldings. These moldings are in the
form of miniature arches with some blue enamel background which runs through the
dome’s rim. The main sarcophagus of the Hoshang Shah is prepared in the shape of a casket
with some receding bands and a mihrab at the top.

5. Group of Monuments at Mandu, Madhya Pradesh

Description
The group of monuments of Mandu are situated about 42 km south-east of Dhar, 112 km
south-west of Indore and 300 km south-west of Bhopal, the capital of Madhya Pradesh.
There are 61 monuments including fort wall protected and declared as monuments of
national importance. The most significant ones are described below-

l) Caves and Temples:

The rock-cut caves known as Lohani caves were probably excavated in or about the eleventh
century A.D. The area around them yielded 80 sculptures. Some Saiva temples appear to
have existed near the caves which were destroyed for use in the Muslim buildings. To the
south of the cave stands a monolithic pillar about 5 meters high probably attached to a
temple originally

2) Dilawar Khan's Mosque:

The earliest Indo-Islamic building at Mandu is Dilawar Khan's mosque. It consists of a central
courtyard, enclosed by colonnade all around and mehrab on the west. The prayer hall has
ceiling in Hindu style and its architecture is considerably influenced by Hindu workmanship.

3) Hindola Mahal:
This building is "T" - shaped in plan, with a main hall and a transverse projection. On both
sides of the hall are six arched openings. This hall originally had a massive vaulted roof. The
side walls are strengthened with massive sloping buttresses which have given the name
"swinging" (Hindola) palace to the building. Architecturally, the palace is assigned to the end
of the fifteenth century A.D.

4) Jahaz Mahal:
It is known as "Ship Palace" as it is on the narrow strip of land between the waters of the
Munj and Kapur tanks. The ground floor of the building consists of three large halls, with
corridors in betwen the narrow rooms at the extreme ends. Its spacious terrace, approached
by a lengthy flight of steps is adorned with domed pavilions.

5) Tomb of Hoshang Shah:

The tomb is square in plan, with well-proportioned and artistic arched openings on three
sides supporting the marble dome above. The mausoleum stands on a square marble
platform. The walls are 9.6 m high from the plattorm. The interior of the tomb is 14.9 sq. m.
Externally, the dome is flat and heavy, adorned with small domed turrets at the four corners.
The finial of the dome is crowned with a crescent, a feature which seems to have been
imported to Mandu. The tomb is influenced by Hindu style of architecture.

6) Jami Masjid:
This majestic building was started by Hoshang Shah and completed by Mahmud Khalji in
A.D.1454.
On plan it is 97.4 sq.m with a huge dome on the porch and approached by a flight of thirty
steps.
The facade of the plinth has been arranged into a verandah, 1.8m deep, with arched
openings. The interior of the mosque consists of a spacious hall about 13.7 sq.m with jali
screens on the sides.

7) Madrasa or Ashrafi Mahal:

The bnildings here belong to two different stages of construction. The earlier representing a
college or Madrasa, attached to the Jami Masjid, is a great quadrangle enclosed on all sides
by a number of small cells for students. At the four corners of the quadrangle were round
towers, three of which are still extant. Amongst these the north-eastern tower was later
raised seven storeys high by Mahmud Khalji to commemorate his victory over the Rana of
Mewar in Rajasthan. The basement of this tower is 9.8 m high. Here the tomb of Mahmud
Khalji was erectod on the western projection of the quadrangle. The interior of this tomb is
19.9 sq.m. It was repaired during the time of the Mughal emperor Akbar.

8) Malik Mughith's Mosque:

Malik Mughith, the father of Mahmud Khalji, built the mosque in A.D.1432. The plan of this
building consists of a central court and other usual parts.

9) Dai-Ki-Chhoti Bahen-Ka-Mahal:
It is a tomb octagonal in plan with arched openings on four sides

10) Baz-Bahadurts Palace:

The palace is approached by broad steps with landings at intervals. The passage through the
gateway is covered with rooms for the guards on both sides and with a vaulted ceiling. The
passage further leads to the outer court of the palace with its main doorway in front.
The main portion of the palace consists of a spacious open courtyard with halls and rooms
on all the four sides and a cistern in its centre.

11) Rupmati's Pavilion

The building has undergone two or three stages of construction in different periods. On the
terrace of the original portion there are pavilions, square in plan at the base and crowned
with hemispherical domes, fluted both outside and inside. It is said that Rupmati came here
daily from the palace nearby to have a view of river Narmada, which is seen from here on a
clear sunny day. The style of the arches and pillars show that the pavilions were probably
built a century earlier than Rupmati's time.

12) Darya Khan's Tomb:

The most interesting feature of this building are the small domes at the four corners
surrounding the main dome in the centre. The interior is a square with arches built across
the corners to support the dome above. The tomb was built for Darya Khan in A.D.1510-26

6. Malik Mughith Masjid

Title
Malik Mughith Khalji Mosque, Mandu Fort, c. 1432 A.D., Built by Mugith al-Din Ulugh-e
A'azam Humayun, Mandu, Madhya Pradesh.
Date
1975
Description
Royal Architecture: Fortresses, Mosques.

Remaining in the east shore of Sagar Talao, this mosque is the only building from
Muhammad Ghori reign. From an inscription hung at the upper part of the east gate, it is
known that this mosque was built by Mugith al-Din Ulugh-e A'azam Humayun, also known as
Malik Mughith in Rajab month of 835 AH (1432). (Matsuo Ara)

Architecture Advantages + History

This mosque consists of the west prayer room of 4 spans in depth, corridors of 1 span in
depth in the south, east, north, and the central courtyards. There are three domes of
considerable size and width above the west prayer room. What is noteworthy is that the
entire mosque is built on a high basement with a line of arch-shaped niches. Because of this
high basement, wide stairs projecting to the east are provided in the eastern side of the
majestic gate of the east entrance. Unfortunately, the darwaza supported by a line of pillars
have mostly collapsed as has a dome that used to be on the top.
　The pillars in the entrance room are in Hindu style as are those in the west prayer room
and the corridors. Judging from this, this mosque is assumed to have been constructed by
Hindu workmen, like the other buildings. Viewing these Hindu style pillars and the ceiling of
Hindu style inside of the west prayer room, one may feel as if one is in a Hindu temple. Only
when one finds the central mihrab and 7 arch-shaped niches, would he recognize that he is
in a prayer room of a mosque. The central mihrab with a double arch on the west wall of the
prayer room was damaged, when I saw it. It had some traces of blue tiles. (Matsuo Ara）

A:Onerall view

①From east-northeast
B:Court yard

②From west ③From southwest

C:Prayer room -exterior-

④Facade ,from east⑤Facade ,from the roof of

east⑥Back ,west-northwest
D：Prayer room -interior-

⑦View the domed chamber from south

⑧Southwest corner of north domed chamber ⑨Central mihrab ⑩

E:East gate
 ⑪From east ⑫East arch

⑬From southeast ⑭East facade ⑮Inscription of east facade

7. Ashrafi Mahal in Mandu

Overview
The Ashrafi Mahal, located at Mandu, Madhya Pradesh is a great place to visit. The most
interesting fact about the Ashrafi Mahal Mandu is that the structure is believed to be
constructed for a fact to reduce obesity in the queens. Boasts of beautiful architecture,
Ashrafi Mahal depicts the glorifying history of Madhya Pradesh.

History of Ashrafi Mahal

According to one of the famous folklore, taking a concern towards increasing obesity
amount his queens, Ghiyasuddin Khilji came up with a superb idea. He thought of
encouraging the queens to reduce their weight by asking them to climb the staircase of the
Mahal up and down regularly. In return, he also decided to give them an Ashrafi (gold coins)
to the queens. The number of Ashrafi was based on the number of steps climbed by each
queen every day. Hence this resulted in the name ‘Ashrafi Mahal'.

Architecture and Structure Design

There is an educational connection to the structure. The construction of the Ashrafi Mahal
can be traced to two distinct phases. It had begun during the early years of Mahmud Khilji's
reign when a Madrasa was built in conjunction with the adjacent Jami Masjid. From the
remains, it can also be gathered that the Madrasa had been executed like the Mosque as a
spacious quadrangle enclosed on all four sides by cells for students. At the four corners of
the quadrangle, we’re towers, three of which are traceable even today.
Some years later, the turret on the northeastern side was raised seven stories high to
commemorate Mahmud Khilji's victory over Rana of Mewar.
Further, it seems to have occurred to the rolling powers that the courtyard could be filled up
and be made into a grand plinth, measuring 8 m. Mahmud Khilji's tomb was constructed in
the center of this plinth, which may have once been the most glorious structure in Mandu.
Interestingly, standing in the middle of the Mahmud Khilji tomb, one notices that the halls of
Hoshang Shah's tomb, the Jami Masjid and of this building are so planned that the center of
all three is in one straight line.

Some important points –

1. Ashrafi Mahal (Palace of the Gold Coin) was built facing the Jami Masjid at Mandu,
its approach of a noble flight of stairs aligning with and mirroring that of the
mosque.

2. Dating from the early years of the reign of Mahmud I, the first of the Khalji dynasty
of Mandu, which took over from the Ghuri dynasty.

3. The structure is composed of three distinct buildings, built at different times.

4. Upon completion, Ashrafi Mahal covered a square of 320' side.

5. The first structure built on the site was a madrassa in the form of a series of rooms
surrounding a courtyard, with four towers, one at each corner of the structure.

6. The rooms with a corridor of double arches, which have pyramidal vaulted ceilings
of interesting design can still be seen on the ground floor of the subsequent
structure.

7. The madrassa courtyard was subsequently filled in to create a terrace 27' high on

which the royal mausoleum could be built.

8. The terrace was approached by a grand flight of steps projecting from the front on
top of which a pillared portico was placed with loggias on both sides.

9. Only a few portions of the mausoleum itself still remain, though it can be

ascertained that it was a square hall of 65' side covered by an immense dome. Each
wall was faced with white marble. The doorways and windows were decorated with
carvings. In certain places, patterns in choice stones were inlaid with friezes of blue
and yellow glaze.

10. The last structure comprising the Ashrafi Mahal was a Tower of Victory raised by
Mahmud I in 1443 to commemorate his victory over the Rana of Chitor. It replaced
the turret on the north-east corner of the original madrassa building.
 11. The tower was in red sandstone, rising through 7 stages to a height of 150'.

12. Balconies projected over a marble string course demarcating each storey. 

13. Four openings with eaves supported by carved pillars gave access to each of the
balconies while patterns of inlaid marble in a variety of colours were carried at
intervals around its curved surface.

14. Most of the tower, except the basement has collapsed, the builders having relied on
surface treatment for effect rather than architectural construction. The whole
structure was apparently built hurriedly and carelessly, its walls composed of
roughly prepared rubble.

Standing as a unique building amidst the many ruins of Mandu, Ashrafi Mahal was initially
made a madrasa (Islamic-school) which collapsed with time because of its amateurish
design. The edifice was built by  Hoshang Shah during the years between 1405 and 1422
when Mahmud Shah Khilji ruled the area. 

He wished to promote education but while it was being constructed, he decided to make it
his own empire. As you wander in the ruined landmark, you will see rows of cells and long
corridors, cornered with four tall towers which make the mahal entirely look like a school
building.

The term ‘mahal’ in Ashrafi Mahal is a misnomer, as it was not a palace but a madarsa built
by Muhammad Shah that serves as his tomb. After a series of battles with Rana Kumbha of
Mewar, which ended in a stalemate, Mohammad Shah built a seven storeyed victory tower
in Asrafi Mahal to commemorate his victory. Rana Kumbha erected a tower in Chittod for
the same war. As per guides of Mandu, the tower of the truth still stands in Chittod, while
the tower of the lie collapsed long back.

History

The dome of this tomb, made with black, yellow and white marble, was grander than the
Jami Masjid and Hoshang Shah's tomb. Built in a hurry by inept artisans, the tomb did not
withstand the vagaries of time and soon dilapidated. If the tomb wasn't made with
carelessness, today it would have been the most impressive one among the city's grand
buildings. The beauty of the moon on a full moon night can be seen from this palace's
pavilion. There is a story behind the palace's name. With every step, the moon rises higher
and from the final step the moon it looks like a silver coin through the arched frame and
hence the palace was named Ashrafi Mahal. Another interesting story about the naming of
this building.

It is said that Sultan Ghiyasuddin Khilji had 15.000 queens and he didn't like them fat or
white haired. The fat queens were brought to this building and a gold coin was placed on
each of the 100 wide steps. The queens exercised by picking up the coins, later these coins
were distributed among the poor. Near this building. Mahmud Shah ordered the
construction of a seven-floor victory column; the remains of which can be seen to this day.
The legend related to this column is the battle between Mahmud Shah and Mewar's Rana
Kumbha, in 1437, which ended in a draw. Both the kings claimed their victory and both of
them ordered the construction of a victory column in their cities. Mahmud in Mandav and
Rana in Chittor. Mahmud Shah's column deteriorated just like his tomb, in a short period.
8. Dai Ki Chhoti Bahan Ka Mahal – 
This building is associated to a certain wet-nurse of one of the princes of  Mandu. It is really a
tomb, though, called as Mahal or palace. It is, however, possible that it was her house in
which she was buried later. Such practices are not uncommon with Muslims. It is octagonal
on plan, crowned by a shapely dome which was originally adorned with tiles. The tomb is
built of red chiseled masonry and has four arched openings facing the four cardinal points,
while the remaining sides have been decorated with outlines of arches. The plan of the tomb
is octagonal with arched openings in the four sides facing the main cardinal points, remaining
four sides being decorated with outlines or arches. The exterior wall surfaces are divided into
panels by means of bands of projecting masonry, a feature not found in earlier buildings at
Mandu and obviously betray the influence of Hindu craftsmanship. The shapely dome
crowning the edifice bears traces of tile-work in blue on its exterior, the interior being
tastefully adorned with carvings though rather sparingly.
9. Hathi Mahal – 
The name Hathi Mahal of the building seems to be have been given to it for its rather
disproportionately massive pillars, looking like the legs of an elephant, supporting the high
dome above. It seems that the building was originally constructed as pleasure resort and
later converted into a tomb, since a sepulchre is now seen inside and a mosque is also
standing nearby, rather too close, thus spoiling its external architectural effect. It is planned
like a baradari with three arched openings on each side. The dome has here, externally, a
high octagonal base divided into bands of masonry molding which have thus imparted an
unusual height to the dome.
10. Baz Bahadur’s Palace – The palace is built on the hill-slope of the east of the Rewa-
Kund, on the entrance-arch is a Persian inscription stating that the palace was built
by Nasirud-din in AD 1508. Baz Bahadur took a fancy for the palace on account of its
close proximity to the Rewa-Kund which was frequented by Queen
Rupmati. Situated on the slope of a hill in the midst of a picturesque natural scenery
the main gateway to the palace is approached by forty broad steps with landings at
intervals. As per a Persian inscription on the gate of entrance of this palace,

“This beautifully designed palace was built by Nasir Shah Khalji, the Sultan of Malwa,
in AH 914 AD 1508-1509. This was later repaired by Baz Bahadur. The text was
calligraphed by one Yusuf.”

This entrance passage further leads to the outer court of the palace with its main
doorway in front. The main portion of the palace consists of a spacious open court
with halls and rooms on all the four sides and a beautiful cistern in its middle. The
eastern and western sides of the court have almost the same plan, i.e. they have
square rooms at the ends, with entrance in the middle on western side, the
corresponding portion on the eastern side being left open, the purpose of which is
not clear. Beyond the colonnade on the northern side at it center projects an
octagonal pavilion with arched openings over-looking the depth below in which
there was once laid out a beautiful garden, traces of which are still seen. There are
two beautiful chataris on the terrace of this palace. The southern side consists of a
hall with two rooms on both sides and openings at the back side into another hall
which affords access to another court in south. This court, as seen in this picture, is
 much smaller in dimensions than the former court, and was probably meant for the
attendants of the palace.

11. Impact of heritage on surrounding

 A local heritage can be much more than just preserving and protecting
artifacts of the past.
 An important part of the Heritage Council’s work is to encourage local
communities to take responsibility for and participate in the development
and conservation of their heritage.
 Enhance local heritage that have the potential to re-energies neglected
areas and provide opportunities for local people to re-view, re-engage with
and re-interpret their heritage.
 Help generate a greater sense of pride and belonging in the local area
through increased participation...and sheer enjoyment!
 Crucially, maintaining and enhancing our heritage provides a basis for local
economic development and innovation in tourism, agriculture,
entertainment, education and business generally.

12. Impact of surrounding on heritage

  Pollution in the air is not only harming human health and the environment
but is also degrading surfaces of historical buildings and monuments. The
impact of dirty air on materials is enormous and can destroy our cultural
heritage, an important component of our individual and collective identity.
 In addition, corrosion and soiling as a result of air pollution can lead to
severe economic losses. UNESCO World Heritage sites are of outstanding
universal value and therefore highly frequented by tourists. Damage to
these sites caused by dirty air hence entails high maintenance and
restoration costs.

13. Economic and Societal Impacts on Cultural Heritage Sites, Resulting from Natural
Effects and Climate Change

 The analysis of the socioeconomic value of cultural heritage sites stated that
they provide a range of both market and non-market benefits to society,
where some of them are related to use values and others to non-use values.
 In the case of conservation, non-market benefits often play a significant role,
which requires the assessment of socioeconomic risk. The analysis for the
cultural heritage sites revealed that the direct socioeconomic value of each
site under study depends crucially on the forecast regarding tourism arrivals,
as well as on the pricing strategy of the site.
 Moreover, the indirect socioeconomic value of each site depends on the
average length of stay and daily expenditures. This provides opportunities
for policy interventions for the conservation of the cultural heritage sites
and for the promotion of their non-market cultural value.
 In order to do this, protection measures need to ensure the integrity of
cultural heritage with respect to the impact of climate change. The fact that
different types of protection and conservation measures can, in a best-case
scenario, lead to market and non-market benefits, does not lead
automatically to their implementation. Instead, these values should be
compared to the opportunity costs of conservation, less tight restrictions
and so on.
 Addressing this question requires that decision-makers understand and
assess the inevitable trade-offs between competing goals. The most
common trade-offs are between values associated with conservation and
development. The choices made by decision makers and land managers can
largely affect both the type and magnitude of the value generated.
 Trade-offs is also present when addressing the welfare impacts at different
levels of the economy. Benefits may accrue to one group, but with a cost for
another group. The suggested framework for addressing the trade-offs
associated with alternative land use decisions is a cost–benefit analysis.
 Another very important aspect, which is very difficult to evaluate in depth, is
the enormous number of cultural heritage
sites/monuments/artefacts/assets that are destroyed because of the effects
of natural hazards and climate change extreme effects.
 This destruction has serious repercussions on the local communities in terms
of the economy, but also in terms of cultural identity, not considering the
worldwide effect of the destruction of important cultural heritage assets. All
of these considerations evidence once more the importance to act according
 to a preventive maintenance/conservation plan, as well to implement all of
the safety measures in order to reduce the potential damages due to natural
and climate change events.

14. Issues with pace of current development and growth

 Buildings and Development

 Housing
For example:
 Urban high rise/urban sprawl
 Encroachment/changes to skyline etc.

 Commercial development
For example:
 Skyscrapers
 Large shopping malls
 Encroachment/changes to skyline etc.

 Industrial areas
For example:
 Individual factories
 Industrial areas/parks
 Encroachment/changes to skyline etc.

 Major visitor accommodation and associated infrastructure

For example:
 Major accommodation and associated infrastructure (hotels,
restaurants, golf courses, ski resorts, etc.)
 Major/permanent high cost tourism facilities (pontoons, jetties,
observatories, cable cars, chalets, fully serviced camping areas,
etc.)

 Interpretative and visitation facilities

For example:
 Visitor interpretive facilities (visitor centre, site museum, etc.)
 Signage etc.
 Trail hardening, (trail markers etc.)
 Information booths etc.
 Minor picnic facilities
 Minor camping areas
 Moorings/marker buoys

 Transportation Infrastructure
 Ground transport infrastructure
For example:
 Roads
 Car parks
 Railways, including easements
 Transport depots

 Air transport infrastructure

For example:
 Airports
 Airstrips
  Marine transport infrastructure
For example:
 Harbour & port facilities

 Effects arising from use of transportation infrastructure

For example:
 Effects of vehicle traffic on roadways
 Effects of shipping traffic in shipping routes
 Effects of air traffic
 Underground transport infrastructure

 Utilities or Service Infrastructure

Developments in relation to infrastructure for energy utilities (i.e. gas, electricity
and water) and other service requirements

 Water infrastructure
For example:
 Dams
 Locks
 Weirs
 Water tanks
 Pumping stations
 Introduction of new systems/ infrastructure

 Renewable energy facilities

For example:
 Thermal
 Wave
 Solar
 Wind

 Non-renewable energy facilities

For example:
 Nuclear power plants
 Coal power plants
 Oil/gas facilities

 Localised utilities
For example:
 Incinerators
 Cell phone towers
 Sewerage works
 Microwave/TV/radio towers

 Major linear utilities

For example:
 Power lines/easements
 Pipelines etc.
 Channels

 Pollution
All types of pollution (residential or commercial) as well as garbage, solid waste.

 Pollution of marine waters

For example:
 Ocean dumping
  Bilge water discharge
 Solid debris in marine environments

 Ground water pollution

For example:
 Oil/chemical spills
 Industrial effluent
 Agricultural runoff
 Household sewage/waste
 Acid sulphate soils
 Effluent discharge
 Mine/tailings runoff

 Surface water pollution

For example:
 Acid rain
 Mine/tailings runoff
 Agricultural runoff

 Air pollution
For example:
 Excessive smoke or other airborne particulates
 Dust
 Local effects of emissions from use of fossil fuels

 Solid waste
For example:
 Mine tailings
 Litter
 Industrial waste
 Household rubbish

 Input of excess energy

For example:
 Any inputs of heat and light that disturb ecosystems including
inappropriate urban lighting, heat pollution, etc.

 Biological resource use/modification

The collecting/harvesting of wild plants and animals (forestry, fishing, hunting and
gathering) and harvesting domesticated species (silviculture, agriculture and
aquaculture)

 Fishing/collecting aquatic resources

For example:
 Trawling
 Netting
 Line fishing
 Game fishing
 Collection/harvest fisheries
 Spearfishing
 By-catch/incidental take issues

 Aquaculture
For example:
 Marine
 Freshwater aquaculture
  Land conversion
For example:
 Agriculture (crops and livestock)
 Rural
 Forestry

 Livestock farming/grazing of domesticated animals

For example:
 Grazing on farms or by pastoral groups

 Crop production
For example:
 Deep ploughing
 New crops
 Intensification of planted agriculture
 Traditional crops
 Traditional systems
 Gardening

 Commercial wild plant collection

For example:
 Pharmaceutical trade
 Medicinal plants
 Fodder collection
 Thatching
 Mushrooms
 Bulbs etc.

 Subsistence wild plant collection

Use this question for Indigenous subsistence hunting, gathering and
collecting, i.e. not for economic benefit, for example:
 Food plants
 Medicinal plants
 Fodder collection
 Thatching
 Mushrooms
 Bulbs etc.

 Commercial hunting
For example:
 Bush meat trade
 Organised game hunting

 Subsistence hunting
Subsistence, i.e. not for economic benefit, hunting. Use “Indigenous
hunting, gathering and collecting” to indicate factors relating specifically to
Indigenous hunting, gathering and collecting
 Forestry /wood production
For example:
 Logging
 Pulp production
 All silvicultural operations
 Restoration/regeneration
 Sustainable wood harvesting

 Physical resource extraction

Physical resource extraction
 If illegal see “Other human activities”
 Mining
 Quarrying
For example:
 Rock
 Sand
 Aggregates
 Oil and gas
 Water extraction

 Local conditions affecting physical fabric

Environmental or biological factors that promote or contribute to deterioration
processes of the fabric of heritage sites. Since effects of decay cannot be attributed
to a single factor, consider all elements.
Use “Air pollution” for air pollution.
Use “Climate change and severe weather events” for severe weather, including
flooding.
For tourism activities “Impacts of tourism/visitor/recreation”.

 Wind
For example:
 Erosion
 Vibration
 Relative humidity
 Temperature
 Radiation/light
 Dust
 Water (Rain/Water table)
 Pests
 Micro-organisms

 Social/cultural uses of heritage

Social factors that contribute to deterioration processes of the fabric of heritage
sites. Some uses might have a positive impact as they enhance certain values (e.g.
ritual, religious) while others might compromise ascribed values and could lead to
the deterioration of the heritage site.

Use “Major visitor accommodation and associated infrastructure” and

“Interpretative and visitation facilities” for impacts of tourism infrastructure and
tourism activities in “Impacts of tourism/visitor/recreation”.

 Ritual/spiritual/religious and associative uses

For example:
 Ritual/spiritual/religious uses and association
 Festivals/performances

 Society's valuing of heritage

For example:
 Changes in values leading to new uses of heritage resources
 Expansions of / additions to current uses of heritage resources
 Conflicting values
 Abandonment

 Indigenous hunting, gathering and collecting

 Changes in traditional ways of life and knowledge system
For example:
 Loss of traditional knowledge and practices linked to heritage
  Identity, social cohesion, changes in local population and community
For example:
 Changes to identity and social cohesion
 Changes in livelihoods
 Migration to or from site
 Changes in local population and community

 Impacts of tourism/visitor/recreation
For example:
 Inappropriate/non-existent interpretation (not an impact)
 High levels of visitation
 Increase of vendors inside/outside site
 Building community support, sustainable livelihoods

 Other human activities

Note Use “Social/cultural uses of heritage” for impacts on local communities

 Illegal activities
For example:
 Illegal extraction of biological resources (i.e. poaching)
 Blast fishing, cyanide fishing
 Illegal extraction of geological resources (mining/fossils)
 Illegal trade
 Illegal occupation of space
 Illegal excavations
 Illegal construction
 Looting
 Theft
 Treasure hunting
 Ghost nets (discarded fishing gear)

 Deliberate destruction of heritage

For example:
 Vandalism
 Graffiti
 Politically motivated acts
 Arson
 Military training
 War
 Terrorism
 Civil unrest

 Climate change and severe weather events

 Storms
For example:
 Tornadoes
 Hurricanes/cyclones
 Gales
 Hail damage
 Lightning strikes
 River/stream overflows
 Extreme tides
 Flooding
 Drought
 Desertification
  Changes to oceanic waters
For example:
 Changes to water flow and circulation patterns at local, regional or
global scale
 Changes to pH
 Changes to temperature
 Temperature change
 Other climate change impacts

 Sudden ecological or geological events

 Volcanic eruption
 Earthquake
 Tsunami/tidal wave
 Avalanche / landslide
 Erosion and siltation/deposition
 Fire (wildfires)
For example:
 Altered fire regimes
 High impact fire suppression activities
 Lightning strikes
For human-induced fires, see “Other threats” below

 Invasive/alien species or hyper-abundant species

 Translocated species
For example:
 Fish stocking
 Inappropriate plantings
 Introduced soil etc.
 Dieback due to pathogens

 Invasive/alien terrestrial species

For example:
 Weed
 Feral animal
 Rodent
 Insect pest
 Bird pest
 Disease/parasite
 Micro-organism

 Invasive / alien freshwater species

For example:
 Weeds
 Invertebrate pests
 Fish pests
 Diseases/parasites
 Micro-organisms

 Invasive/alien marine species

For example:
 Weeds
 Invertebrate pests
 Fish pests
 Diseases/parasites
 Micro-organisms
 Hyper-abundant species
  Naturally occurring species impacting ecosystem by virtue of
ecological imbalance
 Modified genetic material
 Management and institutional factors
 Management System/Management Plan
 Legal framework
 Low impact research/monitoring activities
For example:
 Visitor surveys
 Water sampling
 Non-extractive surveys
 In-situ surveys
 Governance

 High impact research/monitoring activities

For example:
 Sampling using destructive techniques
 Research involving removal of features or species (i.e. extraction)
 Management activities
 Financial resources
 Human resources

 Other factor(s)
Any additional factor not already covered by the list above.

15. Your observation on present gaps

Preservation of heritage sites from above listed threats and factors