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In the meantime when you think of the title, instantaneously pops up in mind the C minor, G tones & guitar. Rock culture. Many rock songs that resemble each other in the way they were composed or sung or perceived. Only a handful become classic or notes to remember by. The real thing that still rocks in my mind is evergreen music. Evergreen unheard voices echoing in the corridors of ancient fortresses, temples, mansions of kings & queens famous & infamous alike.
Likewise, thanks to Madhya Pradesh government’s tourism department for promoting its tourism activities through media & advertisements, this one thing is justly running collateral with reality of historic proportions. The very fact that Madhya Pradesh is a state of mixed cultures, where all the people are following the legacy of their ancestors as far as they can in their own capacities, makes it an interesting land to visit.
One such interesting place is Indore, the commercial heart of M.P. Now known as mini-Mumbai here in the state, the investment in commercial & tertiary services is at par with that of any metro town. The basic drawbacks are poorly planned city infrastructure & water borne diseases. But that hasn’t stopped the city from expanding. There is a chain of malls, over 70 of them & yet more to open. Unbelievable!
And unbelievable is in harmony with the air of this mythical land dating back to the times of Mahabharata. Situated 90 kms from Indore, in the Vindhya mountain ranges is the ancient city of Mandavgarh, the ‘Ghost City’. Also known as “Shadiabad”, which means the city of joy, Mandavgarh or venerably called ‘Mandu’ was fortified as early as the 6th century, but became a capital of power & cultural hub in around 10th century A.D. as the fort capital of the Parmar rulers of Malwa. Mandu was founded by Raja Bhoj in the 10th century as a fortress and retreat. Later, in the latter half of 13th century it was ruled by the Sultans of Malwa, under whom it was named Shadiabad.
Situated on an isolated hill top, Mandu is the largest standing fortified town in the world. Mangoes, tamarinds & banyan trees cover this romantic town. Jahaz Mahal, Hindola Mahal, Rupamati’s Pavilion and the Jama Masjid are the major tourist attraction. Mandu’s lure has called upon itself many a great rulers ranging from Sultans to Rajas to the Mughals till the Marathas deserted it after they shifted to a nearby town called Dhār.
This town carries a simple, sensual & enigmatic appeal with it because of the great love between King Baz Bahadur & Rani Rupmati, a peasant lass. Story has it that when Mughal King Jalalluddin Akbar waged war against the ruling King, he had no choice but to flee & Rani Rupmati was captured by the new ruler. But before anyone could touch her, she committed suicide by swallowing ground diamonds.
The Roopmati Pavilion is situated on the banks of the Rewa Kund. This retreat was built by Baz Bahadur for his queen Roopmati. From here, the Roopmati could see the Narmada river flowing at a distance as a silver screen on the horizon. The pavilions, square with hemispherical domes are the latest additions and have added distinction to the building. The sunrise and sunset can also be enjoyed from here.
This place stands competing Jaipur & Udaipur in terms of number of foreign tourists that it invites every year. The floating palace also known as the Jahaz Mahal is situated on the sweets of the lake, adjectively speaking. This is the heart of the nation, reminding us of the strong foundations of our cultural rock.
