The extensive hilltop fort of Mandu is one of the most interesting sights in central India. Mandu is a celebration in stone, of life and joy, of the love of the poet-prince Baz Bahadur for its beautiful consort, Rani Roopmati. The balladeers of Malwa still sing of romance of those royal lovers, and high upon  the crest of the hill, Roopmati's pavilion still looks down upon Baz Bahadur's palace, a magnificent expression of Indo-Islamic architecture. Perched along the Vindhyan ranges at an attitude of 2000feet, Mandu, with its natural defenses, was originally the fort capital of the paramara rulers of Malwa . Later, towards the end of the Sultans of Malwa, one of whom renamed it Shadiabad- The City of Joy.  

The best time to visit is July to March. But while all other places are closed for tourism during Monsoons, Mandu offers the best time in this period. In fact, Mandu is more of a monsoon resort than anything else. The natural surroundings are in full bloom during monsoon months.

Orientation & Information

The buildings of Mandu can be divided into three groups. When you enter through the north gate of the fort, a road branching off to the west leads to the group of buildings known as the Royal Enclave. If you continue straight on from the entrance you'll pass the Traveler's Lodge and come to the small village which is the only inhabited part of Mandu today. The buildings here are known as the village group. Continuing on, you'll eventually reach the Rewa Kund group at the extreme south of the fort.