Tourist attractions of M.P. Sanchi and Mandu.

1. Amazing
Madhya Pradesh

2. Sanchi

3. Sanchi Town is a Nagar panchayat in Raisen
District of the state of Madhya Pradesh,
India, it is located 46 km north east of
Bhopal, and 10 km from Besnagar or Vidisha
in the central part of the state of Madhya
Pradesh. Known for its "Sanchi Stupas", it is
the location of several Buddhist monuments
dating from the 3rd century BC to the 12th
CE and is one of the important places of
Buddhist pilgrimage.

4. Sanchi Stupa is a Buddhist complex, famous for its Great
Stupa, on a hilltop at Sanchi Town in Raisen District of the
State of Madhya Pradesh, India. It is located in 46
kilometres north-east of Bhopal, capital of Madhya
Pradesh.
Location: Sanchi Town, Madhya Pradesh, India, Asia
Construction started: 3rd century BCE
Architectural style: Buddhist architecture
Inscription: 1989 (13th Session)
Height: 16.46 m (54.0 ft) (dome of the Great Stupa)
UNESCO World Heritage Site inscription: 1989

5. Sanchi Stupa History
The foundation stone of Shanti Stupa was laid by one of the
greatest emperors of India, Ashoka, the instigator of the Maurya
dynasty. He commissioned the inception of Stupas to redistribute
the mortal remains of Lord Buddha in the third century BCE.
The wife of Ashoka, Queen Devi and their daughter Vidisha
supervised the construction of this monument.
Tourist Attractions in Sanchi:
Ashoka Pillar

6. Buddhist Viharas
It appears that there was a Stupa known as Satdhara Stupa. The relics of that
Stupa are kept in the Buddhist Vihara as they have much sentimental value to
Buddhists. They are safely preserved by a glass enclosure in a casket at inner
sanctum of the present monastery. Sanchi is the heart among the important
pilgrimage shrines for Buddhist. Vihara is in a predominant position among all
the relics of Buddhist culture. Generally, as one could see in other places Vihara
is made out of woods with ornamentation and beautiful carvings. However
these attractions and beauty are not to be seen in the present day monasteries.
This Vihara is not fixed by wood. It is the primary abode of the monks. There is a
large central area for communal activities, surrounded by small chambers in
which the monks can stay alone.

7. The Gupta temple
Gupta Temple is one of the most popular temples among
historians. Sir John Marshall has referred to it as the most logically
designed structure in Indian architecture. The three layers of
the Sanchi hill are divided into three layers - the lower shelf, the
intermediate shelf and the crowning shelf. The Gupta
Temple forms part of the intermediate layer of the temples of
Sanchi. The temple is not embellished much, contains a pillared
porch at the entrance and flat roofed chamber at the top.

8. Sanchi Museum
Established at the hilltop in Sanchi in 1919 by Sir John Marshall, former Director
General of ASI, the Sanchi Archaeological Museum was later distorted at the
foothill of Sanchi Stupa and got the exhibits transferred to the new building in
the year 1966 because of the lack of space as well as for displaying the objects
of the museum aesthetically.

9. Mandu

10. -Mandu or Mandavgad is an ancient city in the present-day
Mandav area of the Dhar district.
-It is located in the Malwa region of western Madhya Pradessh, India,
at 35 km from Dhar city.
-In the 11th century, Mandu was the sub division of the
Tarangagadh or Taranga kingdom.
-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.
-Ruler of Malwa, renamed the place from Mandu to Shadiabad.

11. -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.
-An inscription discovered from Talanpur (around 100km from
Mandu) states that a merchant named Chandra Simha installed a
statue in a temple of Parshvanatha located in the Mandapa Durga.
- The word "Mandu" is believed to be a Prakrit corruption of
"Mandapa Durga".
-The inscription is dated 612 VS (555 CE), which indicates that
Mandu was a flourishing town in 6th century.[

12. 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, who is believed to have as many as 15,000 women
as his consorts. To accommodate the women belonging to the royal
consortium, Jahaz Mahal was built in second half of the 15th century. Jahaz
Mahal best captures the medieval history of Mundu. Here 'Jahaz' refers to a
ship and 'Mahal' refers to a palace, which is a reflection of the edifice itself.
Surrounded by pond water, it seems to be floating gently above the surface of
the water.
The balconies are constructed in a way that amplifies sound such that
reverberates through the entire body of Jahaz Mahal. The intricate carvings,
precise engineering design and pristine beauty along with its close proximity to
other tourist attractions .

13. Rani Rupmati’s pavilion
Rani Roopmati was a poet and the consort of the Sultan of Malwa, Baz
Bahadur. Roopmati features prominently in the folklores of Malwa, which talk
about the love between the Sultan and Roopmati. Adham Khan was prompted
to conquer Mandu partly due to Roopmati's beauty. Rani Roopmati's
Pavilion was built as an army observation post. It served a more romantic
purpose as Roopmati's retreat. From this picturesque pavilion perched on a
hilltop, the queen could gaze at her paramour's palace, and also at the
Narmada flowing by, below.

14. Baz Bahadur ( 1555–61) was the last independent ruler of
Mandu. His palace, a curious mix of Rajasthani and Mughal
styles, was built in 1508–09 by the Khilji sultan Nasir-ud-Din. Baz
Bahadur supposedly took a liking to it because of his infatuation
with the singing shepherdess Rupmati who, according to legend,
used to frequent the nearby Rewa Kund.
Baz bahadur Palace,Mandu

15. Hindola Mahal is a vast hall with a basic design of 'T' shape. One main attraction
is the arches are constructed inside the hall. These large arches give a unique
design for Hindola Mahal. The 'T' shape of Hindola Mahal indicates that it was
built to accommodate a large number of audience facing towards one main
horizontal hall. May be it was used for court sessions or even cultural
programmes. The Hindola Mahal, also known as the Swing Palace because the
inclined ramparts are supposed to create the impression that they are swinging.
This place was majorly used by Mughals as a place of leisure.
Hindola Mahal, Mandu

16. Hoshang Shah's tomb is said to be the India's first structure fully
made of marble. Considered to be one of the finest examples of
Afghan architecture, It is well known for beautiful lattice work &
round dome. Another unique feature of this tomb is a long hall
built along the west wall of the tomb.
Hoshang Shah Tomb(81 Pillars)

17. Jami Masjid

18. Champa Baoli,Hammam

19. Many more attractive places are there to see in Mandu.
Madhya Pradesh is the place of variety particularly in the
field of tourism. Different cultures and customs make it
different from other states of India.

20. Presented by Dr. Neetu Sharma
Assistant Professor
Department of Commerce and Management
Career College,Bhopal