Explore the Forgotten Charm of 350-Year-Old Moti Mahal in Mandla

Discover the long-forgotten gem, Moti Mahal, Mandla, nestled securely on the banks of the Narmada River in Mandla, Madhya Pradesh. This palace served as the capital of the Raj Gond dynasty, who ruled Central India’s Gondwana Kingdom from the fourteenth to the seventeenth centuries.

The Raj Gonds, despite their four-century reign, are seldom mentioned in history books. However, guides at Moti Mahal provide exclusive insights into this specific era of Gond history. During the Mughal Empire, the Gond monarchs maintained their independence until the seventeenth century when the Hyderabadi Nizam and Maratha Kings conquered their realm. Many Gonds then became tribal raiders in the challenging highlands for safety. The British eventually took control of major parts of Gondwana between 1818 and 1853, though some kingdoms retained their autonomy until India’s independence in 1947.

Constructed by the Gond king Hriday Shah between 1651 and 1667, Moti Mahal was the last great palace before the capital moved to Ramnagar in Mandla. Hriday Shah, a musically talented king trained at the Mughal court, authored two musical treatises, Hriday Koutuk and Hriday Prakash. The palace, known as “Pearl Palace,” features a long corridor connecting its rooms, secret passageways, and tunnels designed for royal escapes. One tunnel extends over 100 kilometers to the Madan Mahal near Jabalpur!

The palace also houses mysterious dungeons known as Kaal Kothri, which were used as prisons. Other intriguing rooms include the kitchen, which once smelled of basmati rice, the Shayan Kaksh (the royal bedroom facing the Narmada River), the Sabha Kaksh (where kings held strategic discussions with ministers), and bare-walled halls that likely displayed grand portraits of powerful kings.

Spread across three stories and connected by narrow, steep stairs, the palace was designed for defense, making it difficult for intruders to navigate. Notable nearby attractions include the Vishnu Mandir, built by Sundari Devi, queen of Hriday Shah, and Dal Baadal Mahal, which served as quarters for generals and soldiers.

Despite its historical significance, Moti Mahal remains relatively unknown due to low tourist influx. The Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board is eager to welcome visitors to this remarkable site.

For those planning a visit, the nearest railway station is in Jabalpur, 53 kilometers away, which also hosts the closest airport. Travelers can rent a private vehicle to reach Mandla comfortably.

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