Ashrafi Mahal
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At a distance of 500 m from Mandu Bus Stand, Ashrafi Mahal is an ancient structure located in the center of Mandu, Madhya Pradesh. Situated opposite Jama Masjid, it is one of the wonderful heritage places to visit as part of Mandu sightseeing packages.
Known as the ‘Palace of Gold Coins,’ Ashrafi Mahal is a part of the Village Group or the Central Group of Monuments in Mandu. Initially, it was constructed as a Madrasa, an Islamic School of learning, by Mahmud Khilji, the successor of Hoshang Shah. As you wander in the ruined compound, you will see rows of cells and long corridors, cornered with four tall towers which make the mahal entirely look like a school building.
The madrassa courtyard was subsequently filled in to create a terrace 27′ high on which the royal mausoleum of Mahmud Khilji could be built. The terrace was approached by a grand flight of steps projecting from the front on top of which a pillared portico was placed with loggias on both sides. Only a few portions of the mausoleum itself remain, though it can be ascertained that it was a square hall of 65′ side covered by an immense dome. The doorways and windows were decorated with carvings. In certain places, patterns in choice stones were inlaid with friezes of blue and yellow glaze.
The last structure comprising the Ashrafi Mahal was a Tower of Victory raised by Mahmud Khilji in 1443 to commemorate his victory over the Rana Khumba of Mewar. It replaced the turret on the northeast corner of the original madrassa building. The tower was in red sandstone, rising through 7 stages, of which only one storey has survived. There was a spiral stairway of 198 steps in this victory pillar.
The place however got its name Ashrafi (gold coin) Mahal (palace) because of Ghiyas-ud-din Khilji, who had 15000 queens. When the weight of some of Khilji’s queens started increasing, he thought of encouraging the queens to reduce their weight by asking them to climb the staircase of the victory pillar up and down regularly. In return, he also decided to give them an Ashrafi (gold coins) to the queens. The number of Ashrafi was based on the number of steps climbed by each queen every day.
Timings : 8 AM – 6 PM
Entry : Rs. 25 for Indians & Rs. 300 for Foreigners
Distance (From Mandu Bus Stand): 0.5 Kms
Trip Duration (Including Travel): 15 Mins or Less
Place Location: Opposite Jama Masjid
Transportation Options: Walk/Trek
Travel Tips: Entry fee includes entry to Jama Masjid, Hoshang Shah’s Tomb & Ashrafi Mahal.
Included/Exclude
- Pick and Drop Services
- 1 Meal Per Day
- Visit Best Places in the City
- Additional Services
- Insurance
- Food & Drinks
- Tickets
Tour Amenities
Tour Plan
It's important to check the most current information before planning your visit, as opening hours can vary and might be subject to change due to special events, maintenance, or unforeseen circumstances. A reliable way to confirm the opening hours is to contact the local tourism board, check the official website (if available)
Travelers are requested to follow the given itinerary for 1 day city tour package. Ideally this full day tour package cannot be customized, however if guests prefer to visit different set of places during this sightseeing tour by private car, they can check the possibility of the same with the above listed car rental companies and request for a custom quote.
We recommend our guests to stick to the time spent at each tourist attraction in city as per the Itinerary schedule. In case of any delays or additional time spent at a particular place, driver or car rental company will not be responsible to cover all the places mentioned in the itinerary.
Please also note that if a particular sightseeing place is closed on the scheduled day of the tour, it may not be covered from the list of sightseeing places. Please check the possibility of visiting an alternate place with listed cab vendor before you book the tour.
Is there any possibility to add / remove tourist places in this sightseeing tour?
Ideally, no. However guests can check if it’s possible to customize the tour with the above listed place cab vendors before booking the trip. Additional charges might apply.
City tour is one of the most revered and holy shrines in India. It offers a beautiful sightseeing and rejuvenating spiritual experience. A one day tour by private cab offers a perfect blend of spirituality, natural beauty, and cultural experiences. The convenience of a private cab allows you to explore the temples, ghats, and viewpoints of Ujjain at your own pace.
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