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Hindola Mahal
Hindola Mahal is a very old Palace in the state of Madhya Pradesh. It is derived from the meaning 'Swing Palace'. It is called so because of its sloping sidewalls. It is one of the very beautiful historical monuments in India.
Hindola Mahal is like a big hall for meetings which has now become a place of attraction for the tourists. It is built in structural style shape 'T'. It has a projection towards the north which is transverse. Although the lofty arches are still in a row and intact inside the Palace, the huge and elevated roof has been disappeared. The big hall inside the Palace is since 15th century. Towards the Palace’s west side, several buildings which are left unidentified can be still seen there.
Along with all these constructions there is also a well known as Champa Baoli. The well is inter-connected underground with the rooms to supply hot as well as cold water. Along with this, there is also a bath-house in the Palace which has holes where it looks like stars on its roof.
History
Although the people who were residing there believed that during Hoshang Shah's rule in the period 1425 C.E, the Hindola Mahal was built but it was during the reign of the ruler Ghiyas-ud-din that the construction took place which was the period of 15th century. It is said to be one of the royal palace in Mandu. The other includes the Tawili Mahal, Nahar Jharokha and Jahaz Mahal.
Architecture
The Mahal is in the shape of 'T' and on the walls outside it has crossbars. The main hall inside is in the dimension of 30m x 18m x 12m. The walls of the Mahal were 3 meters in thickness and also it was inclined by a support at an angle of 77 degrees. It is due to this support that the name of 'swinging Palace' was kept. There were six arches that held the doors alongside the main hall towards the lower section. There were also 3 slabs made up of stones to provide ventilation with the elevated huge walls.
Hindola Mahal's crossbars are also of the same dimension as of the complex hall. It has been divided into two floors, the top floor has two rooms and the other floor is having a gallery which has arms, that is on the entrance of the building and it has also an arch towards the hall.
The Mahal has been characterized by well-proportioned, uniqueness, simplicity and boldness which are the features of the Malwa periods architecture. Moreover it was being influenced and reflected by the architectural style of Delhi.
How to reach
It is very easy to travel to and from Mandu city by train, road and air.
By train
Although Mandu does not have its own railway station in the town but the nearest to the town is Indore Railway station which is 64 km far from the town of Mandu. Many trains connect Indore from various cities all over the country on regular basis. Another nearest railway station to Mandu is Ratlam railway station at a distance of 125 km.
By road
There is a bus facility which is available in from Indore to reach Mandu as it is not well-developed town so the roads are also not in a good position. So there is a very good bus depot near Mandu which has all kinds of bus facilities available. There are state owned bus systems to reach Mandu.
There is also an all-time availability of travel agents who book taxi's for the visitors at all sorts of prices which suits the tourists including the cabs of all classes.
By air
The airport near Mandu is the Indore Ahilyabai Holker airport which is at a distance of 100 km and from the airport there is a facility of cabs to reach Mandu. The airport is a domestic terminal which is connected to various cities.
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