HOSHANG SHAH’S TOMB, MANDU

Hoshang Shah’s Tomb built in the 15th century (c 1440), this was the first tomb built entirely out of marble. The province of Malwa, in modern Madhya Pradesh, had as its capital the ancient Hindu city of Dhar, about 24 miles north of Mandu, till it was conquered by the Delhi Sultanate – by Ala-ud-din Khilji in 1305 A.D. - and a governor installed in place.

The tomb of Hoshang Shah was the inspiration for the Taj Mahal. Shah Jahan was so impressed with it, that he sent 4 of his architects to study the tomb. They left an inscription near the doorway, paying homage to the architects of the tomb.

This tomb considered as the first marble construction of Afghan culture in the Indian subcontinent region in earlier period. As with all conquests, among the first state buildings to come up were mosques, built with pillars taken from Hindu temples, very similar to the Qu’wwat-ul-Islam mosque at the Qutb, Delhi. Hoshang Shah, second King of Malwa, ruled for 27 years. His tomb is in Mandu, Madhya Pradesh. He had a fine eye for architecture. There are beautiful specimens of Muslim architecture in Mandu.

Location- Mandu, Madhya Pradesh, India.

Entrance Fee- Citizens of India Rs. 5/- per head
US $ 2 or Indian Rs. 100/- per head
(Free entry to children up to 15 years)

MOTI MASJID, BHOPAL

The Moti Masjid was an important landmark of Bhopal, and was built in 1860 by Sikandar Jehan Begum, Qudisiya Begum’s daughter, left behind her this majestic mosque. The architectural design of the Moti Masjid has a close similitude to the famous Jama Masjid in Delhi.  The Moti Masjid is also called as Pearl Mosque because of this sparkling white fascia.

Moti Masjid, a lovely shrine in Bhopal is a significant landmark in the history of muslim women in India. Sikandar Begum was fairly unconventional compared to Muslim women of her time – she usually dressed like a man and went out riding without a veil, often with a dagger tucked under her belt. This pretty mosque is comparatively smaller in size, but grabs thousands of tourists with its architectural marvel. Its dark red towers and golden spikes are really fantastic. The façade of the mosque is of glittering white marble, which provides an ethereal look.