IF WALLS COULD SPEAK

POETICALLY LOCATED IN THE HEART OF MP, MANDU IS A CITY THAT TELLS THE TALES OF MANY LOVES

- ANTARAA CHATTERJEE

HERE ARE CITIES THAT EPITOMISE LOVE, THERE ARE CITIES THAT inspire poets to write about love, and then there is Mandu. The small city, so steeped in its historical love story that it has now become its very identity. Mandavgarh, more popularly known as Mandu, lies poetically enough in the heart of Madhya Pradesh atop the Vindhya Range. This ancient city guards a trove of treasured stories in its walls, its stones and the memories of its people.

Mandu's historical roots trace back to the 6th century when it served as an outpost of the Gupta Empire. However, it rose to prominence during the 10th and 11th centuries under the Parmar rulers. The city's fate took a dramatic turn in the 14th century when it became the capital of the Malwa Sultanate, led by the illustrious Afghan ruler Dilawar Khan. Subsequently, Mandu became a melting pot of diverse cultures, weaving a rich legacy of Hindu and Afghan influences.

In Mandu, you don't get lost geographically; it's the history that takes you in. Entering the city through one of its seven gates, the gravel of the streets crunch beneath your feet as you make your way to the usual circuit of the famous monuments. Mandu is also a city of incredible acoustics with various structures and their many bricks carrying the past within. Each of them has their own story to tell, but one stands out above all the others.

THE MONUMENTAL LOVE

Mandu is perhaps best known for the poignant love story of Baz Bahadur, the last independent ruler of Mandu, and his beloved consort, Rani Roopmati. Their romance is immortalised in the architectural wonders that dot the city.