The Sagar Talao is a large lake on the southern side of Mandu. The road on the eastern edge of the lake leads to the Royal Enclave on the north and on the south it leads to Rewa Kund Group. The historic structures of the Sagar Talao Group are located on the eastern side of the road. Source
Location : Google Maps
It is really a tomb of some noble, square in plan, with three arched openings on each side, which, except for the south entrance, are filled with screens carved in geometric patterns of Muslim style. Though there is no perforated screen or jali work here, the building is popularly called Jali Mahal, apparently because of the carved screen work. Source
This small structure is located on top of a small mound south of the Sagar Talao. Jali refers to decorative lattice screen and mahal refers to palace or house. But the structure is a mausoleum decorated with lattice screen. Source
Location : Google Maps (wrongly labeled as Adhar Gumbad Mahal)
In vicinity of Dai-ka Mahal, there is another anonymous tomb with elaborate plan and grand elevation. Interestingly this structure also has stark similarities with Qutub Shahi tombs of Golconda. The main tomb sits atop a grand square pavilion. In the basement of this pavilion, there are rooms reached through arched openings - seven in number - on its cardinal sides. A flight of steps on the south, leads to the square tomb above. Over this there is dome resting on an octagonal neck. A narrow staircase hidden in the south wall goes right up to the dome. Source
On the western side of the Dai ka Mahal lies a massive domed structure, which the Archaeological survey of India (ASI) describes as the Unknown Tomb. While some historians mention it as the Adhar Dome. Here also nothing is known about the occupant of the massive tomb. It is a two storied structure with a flight of stairs on the south side. The remaining three sides have seven arched entrance each. The stairs lead to the top of the first level which acts as a platform of the tomb, which is on the second level. The square tomb has arched entrance on all four side and is topped with a massive tomb. This is the largest and the most prominent structure of the Sagar Talao group. Source
The basement
Dai Ka Mahal seen from this place
Steps to the roof, southern entrance.
Dai Ka Mahal seen from the roof
Location : Google Maps - road near the Unidentified Tomb.
... Towering above all, the acoustic mastery at Mandu stands out for its flawlessness and unique approach. Unlike other places, at Mandu the vocal signal is trapped and reproduced at first inside the anonymous tomb; the same signal is then delayed, amplified for attenuation and reproduced from a different point (Dai-ka Mahal). This is probably the most complex acoustical equipment in the whole of Indian Subcontinent as this is an open air system unlike other closed space systems. Source
Where Stones Echo: The Sounds of Mandu ECHO POINT - WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND
Location : Google Maps
Literally meaning the house of the mid wife or nurse this too like the Dai ki Chhoti Bahin ka Mahal is a grave combined with a mosque. Again nothing is known about the nurse and story of her magnificent mausoleum. The octagonal structure stands on a high plinth and is topped with a huge dome. The dome rests on an octagonal drum, with small cupolas at each corners. Strangely there are no graves inside. The mosque is on the western side and large portions of it has long collapsed and only traces of its walls on the northern and southern side remains along with two domes. Source
It is a tomb of a lady, standing on a lofty basement, having rooms with arched openings for the keepers of the tomb. At the north-east and south-east corners, remains of circular towers may be seen. A spacious terrace on the first floor has the remains of a beautiful mosque. The mosque consists of a double hall with vaulted ceilings with traces of tile decoration. In the middle of this terrace is the tomb. This is square in plan with arched openings in the middle of the walls, the upper portion of which is decorated with a row of miniature arches. The most noteworthy feature of the building is the elongated octagonal neck of the dome enclosed by an ornamented parapet with the tiny kiosks on the corners of the octagon. This is rare in Mandu, though it is a common decorative device with the domes in Deccan. Source
Location : Google Maps
The entrance to this garden was locked.
Edit : on my second trip to Mandu I was able to squeeze thru the fence near Dai ka Mahal. Pics attached.
Just south of the Dai ki Chhoti Bahin ka Mahal is a remains of a Mughal styled char bagh garden known as Lal Bagh. Source
2nd trip pic
2nd trip pic
Location : Google Maps
This building is associated with a certain wet-nurse of one of the princes of Mandu. It is really a tomb, though - 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 in plan, crowned by a shapely dome which was originally adorned with tiles. The tomb is built of red chiselled masonry and has four arched openings facing the four cardinal points, while the remaining sides have been decorated with outlines of arches. Source
On the south west corner of the Caravan Sarai is a domed structure known as the Dai ki Chhoti Behen ka Mahal. The structure consists of a domed mausoleum along with a mosque. Dai literally means mid - wife or nurse and choti bahin means younger sister hence the tomb belonged to a younger sister of a nurse. No wonder the nurse definitely had a high status, but sadly nothing is known about her. Just south of the Dai ki Chhoti Bahin ka Mahal is a remains of a Mughal styled char bagh garden known as Lal Bagh. Source
Unidentified Tomb in the background.
Ardh Gumbad seen from this place. Malik Muguth Masjid in the background.
Location : Google Maps (this is the correct location for Ardh Gumbad)
Ardh Gumbad literally means 'half dome'.
Dai Ki Choti Bahen Ka Mahal seen from this place
The 'ardh gumbad'.
Location : Google Maps
Sarai, literally meaning inn, is a guest house. As a citadel Mandu flourished as a flourishing trading centre attracting traders and travellers from far and wide. No wonder these men needed place to stay and eat, the saris or inns provided accommodations to the travellers visiting Mandu. Today the ruined citadel of Mandu contains several ruined sarais and the Carava Sarai of Sagar Talao is the largest of them. The entrance of the Caravan Sarai is through a massive arched gateway on the western side. The gate is high enough to allow camels and elephants to enter the inn. Built in 1437 it consists of a simple architecture with a large open courtyard along with rooms on all four sides. Source
It's possible to get to the roof of this place. The steps are at the NW corner (to your left as you enter), the view is fantastic and you can get real good pics. See video below.
sagar_talav_group_mandu.mp4Location : Google Maps
This is the most important building in the Kapur Talao monument group. As stated in the inscription on its doorway, this mosque was built by Malik Mughith, father of Mahmud Khalji in 1432 CE. It belongs to the first phase of Muslim architecture in Malwa when material from earlier Hindu buildings was utilized for construction. The projecting porch, the arched corridors and the small turrets at the corners provide an impressive frontage to the building. In front of the rooms is a well-designed arched corridor which, with the porch projecting in the middle and the small turrets at the corners, present rather an impressive frontage to the building. The porch was once surmounted by a dome which has disappeared but was supported by the existing pillars of Hindu design belonging to some earlier Hindu Temple. Like the mosque of Dilawar Khan, the plan of this building consists of a central court enclosed by colonnades, one aisle deep, on all sides except in the west where it is four aisles deep. The ceiling of the western colonnade consists of three small domes, with flat or star-shaped compartments in between. Right below the domes, the halls are square in plan. Source
The dirt road leads to the Malik Mughith's Mosque and Carava Sarai. The two structure face each other with Malik Mughith's Mosque on the east.The entrance of the mosque is through the center of the eastern side. On the either side of the entrance and along the plinth are 12 arches, six on each side. these lead to rooms. The rooms probably served as quarters for the mosque staff. A long flight of stairs leads to a domed entrance. Sadly the dome has long collapsed and have most of the pillars, which once held the dome. A Persian inscription at the mosque entrance mention that the mosque was constructed in 1432. The entrance leads to a open courtyard, with pillared passageways on all four sides. The centre of the western side is crowned with a dome. There are also domes on the south – western and north – western corners. The western end contains, three passage ways separated by beautifully decorated columns. Just south of the mosque is a ruined structure which probably served as the Imam's house. Source
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. Source
A Persian inscription at the mosque entrance mention that the mosque was constructed in 1432.
Dai Ki Choti Bahen Ka Mahal & Ardh Gumbad
Last updated 25 Oct 2023.