Hoshang Shah Tomb, Mandu
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.Tourists are attracted to Mandu Hoshang Shah Tomb because of its mesmerizing exterior. You will find 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 structure is located in Mandu, which is around 100km (62 miles) from Indore.
Quick Glance
Address: Mandu, Madhya Pradesh, India
Opening Time: 7:00 am – 6:00 pm
Entry Fee: INS 100, INS 25 for cameras
Visit Duration: 0.5 – 1 hour
Historical Significance of Mandu Hoshang Shah Tomb
The tomb was constructed in the honor of the great king Hoshang Shah. His rule holds an important presence in the history of this place, the construction of the Taj Mahal was highly inspired by the tomb and Ustad Hamid has a great association with the team who built the Taj Mahal. Hoshang Shah ruled this place for over 27 years and according to some of the historian, the ruler instead of being a warrior was a soft-hearted man. He is said to have great attachment and love for his subjects. However, some controversial comments were also made about the ruler being partial and he was accused of being more favorable towards Muslims.Architecture of Hoshang Shah Tomb, Mandu
The architecture of Mandu Hoshang Shah Tomb is a live example of the brilliant craftsmanship in the early times. The ruler of this tomb is remembered for having a great taste of architecture, so the interior and exterior of this structure are well-proportioned and extremely beautiful to look at. 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.
Traveling Through
This place radiates with historical significance and architectural beauty, and it’s also well-connected with all the major transportation platforms. Also, you will not face any difficulty in traveling from the surrounding cities because transportations are easily available.
By plane
You will find Ahilyabai Holkar Airport to be the nearest airport and there are regular flights available from Mumbai, Delhi, Pune, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Nagpur, Kolkata, and others.
By bus
The roadways are quite convenient as well. Indore is about 95km (59 miles) and around 35km (21miles) from Dhar. A bus journey nearly takes around 3 hours and Dhar is comparatively more convenient to travel because there are regular buses available.
By car
You can also take a cab to rent a car to reach the location. Some of the best routes are as follows Indore - Pithampur - Ghatabillod - Labour - Dhar – Mandu. You will easily be able to cover the distance which is around 95km (59 miles) with smooth roads.Getting Around in Mandu
Mandu is clustered around a small and isolated area. However, you will love to enjoy the view and historic locations by walk and in a few other ways.
Walk
Wear comfortable shoes because the architectural beauty of this place is well explored by foot.
Bicycles
You can easily travel by bicycle to explore the ruins and some interior parts of this incredible city.
Car
For a small family or a group of friends, you can easily travel via car because it’s the quickest way to explore.
Guides
You will also find a lot of guides to help you with sightseeing. The guides are well operated and know every nook and corner of this place.You will love these brilliantly designed monuments for not just its exterior but also for its retained beauty. You will love the secluded place with historic setup and brilliant architecture to explore. Carry the essentials like sunscreen, water bottle and a few medicines for an emergency. Wear comfortable shoes because this place is better explored on foot.