The Shahi Qila was a palace in

Burhanpur Burhanpur is a historical city in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. It is the administrative seat of Burhanpur District. It is situated on the north bank of the Tapti River and northeast of city of Mumbai , southwest of the state's capita ...

, located to the east of the

Tapti River The Tapti River (or Tapi) is a river in central India located to the south of the Narmada river that flows westwards before draining into the Arabian Sea. The river has a length of around and flows through the states of Maharashtra, Gujarat ...

. Little except ruins remain of the palace. However, the parts that still stand display amazing works of sculpture and exquisite carvings. History of the Shahi Qila states that it was originally built by the Farooqui rulers and resided by

Shah Jahan Shah Jahan I, (Shahab-ud-Din Muhammad Khurram; 5 January 1592 – 22 January 1666), also called Shah Jahan the Magnificent, was the Emperor of Hindustan from 1628 until his deposition in 1658. As the fifth Mughal emperor, his reign marked the ...

, at a time when he was the governor of Burhanpur. Shah Jahan became so fond of the fort that it was here, in Shahi Qila that he establishes his court for the first three years of his ascending the throne. Shah Jahan spent a considerable time in this city, and helped add to the Shahi Qila. Diwan-i-Aam and Diwan-i-Khas were built on the terrace of the Qila. The Shahi Qila, Burhanpur is mostly in ruins now, except a few beautifully carved parts of the palace that still stands as a symbol of the glorious Qila it was in the olden days. The locals call the Shahi Qila 'Bhulbhulaya' (that means a labyrinth) because the architecture of the Shahi Qila is puzzling and perplexing for a casual visitor. The main attraction at the palace is the hamam or the royal bath. It was specifically built for Shah Jahan's wife, Begum

Mumtaz Mahal Mumtaz Mahal (; ; born Arjumand Banu Begum; 27 April 1593 – 17 June 1631) was the empress consort of Mughal Empire from 1628 to 1631 as the chief consort of the fifth Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan. The Taj Mahal in Agra, often cited as one of t ...

, so that she could enjoy a luxurious bath in water scented with khus, saffron and rose petals. Hammam Khana was constructed during Mughal Period. The baths bear an inscription of Khan Khana Mirza Abdul Rahim Khana, the famous minister of Akbar and Jahangir. The rooms have domed roof. Hot water used to flow from left wall whereas cold water from the right wall. The Hammam is beautifully decorated with paintings on honey comb work. Even today, the ceiling has many intricate paintings. One of these paintings depicts a monument which is said to have been the inspiration for the Taj Mahal. One of the amazing facts is that the Taj Mahal was originally supposed to have been built at Burhanpur. The site(Ahu-Khana) chosen for it still lies vacant near the tapti river. Mumtaz, in whose memory the

Taj Mahal The Taj Mahal ( ; ; ) is an ivory-white marble mausoleum on the right bank of the river Yamuna in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India. It was commissioned in 1631 by the fifth Mughal Empire, Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan () to house the tomb of his belo ...

was built, died in burhanpur while giving birth to her fourteenth child.http://www.travelindia-guide.com/tour.../burhanpur-monuments.aspx

Photo gallery

Image:Main entrance shahi qila,Burhanpur.jpg , Main entrance Image:Carved painting Hammam,Shahi qila ,burhanpur.jpg, Carved painting Hammam File:Fountains Shahi Qila,Burhanpur.jpg, Fountains Shahi Qila File:Diwan e khas ,Shahi Qila, Burhanpur.jpg, Diwan e khas File:Mosque Shahi qila, Burhanpur.jpg, Mosque Shahi Qila

References

External links

Burhanpur Historical City

Burhanpur Gateway to South India
{{Indore Division Forts in Madhya Pradesh bn:বুরহানপুর ca:Burhanpur