Page 33 - Pastiche Vol 1 Edition 1 January 2019

Defeated by Sher Shah Suri, Humayun fled India. Sher Shah Suri died in 1545 followed by his
son Islam Shah who died in 1553 making his 12-year-old son Feroz Khan the king. But Adil
Shah killed Feroz Khan within 3 days and appointed Hemu as his Chief of Army and Prime
Minister. Hemu attacked Mandu and Baz Bahadur fled from Mandu. Humayun regained his
empire in 1555 and died in 1556. In 1561, Akbar's army led by Adham Khan and Pir
Muhammad Khan attacked Malwa and defeated Baz Bahadur in the battle of Sarangpur on
29 March 1561. One of the reasons for Adham Khan's attack seems to be his love for Rani
Roopmati, who poisoned herself to death on hearing the news of fall of Mandu and Baz
Bahadur fled to Khandesh.

Akbar recalled Adham Khan and handed over command to Pir Muhammad, who attacked
Khandesh and proceeded up to Burhanpur but he was defeated by a coalition of Miran
Mubarak Shah II of Khandesh, Tufal Khan of Berar and Baz Bahadur and died while
retreating. Baz Bahadur regained his kingdom until in 1562 Akbar sent another army led by
Abdullah Khan, which finally defeated Baz Bahadur. He fled to Chittor and remained a
fugitive at a number of courts till he surrendered to Akbar at Nagaur and joined Akbar's
service. Akbar added Mandu to the Mughal Empire but kept a considerable degree of
independence, until taken by Peshwa Baji Rao I of the Marathas in 1732, who shifted the
capital of Malwa back to Dhar under Maharaja Pawar, re-establishing Hindu rule and Mandu
almost remained uninhabited.

Places of interest
Owing to the long reigns of the Muslims, Mandu along with Hindu and Jain structures,
houses several Islamic architectural specimens. They were, however erected by using stones
mostly salvaged from the destroyed Hindu and Jain temples. Some of the notable places,
listed in South to North direction are:

R Roopmati's Pavilion
A large sandstone structure originally built as an army
observation post, served as the abode for Rani Roopmati - the
love interest of Baaz Bahadur. It is said to have gazed at the Baz
Bahadur's Palace situated below and the Narmada River flowing
through the Nimar plains far below.

Baz Bahadur's Palace
Built by Baz Bahadur, this 16th-century structure is famous for
its large courtyards encompassed by large halls and high
terraces. It is situated below Roopmati's Pavilion and can be
seen from the pavilion.

Rewa Kund
A reservoir constructed by Baz Bahadur for the purpose of
supplying water to Rani Roopmati's Pavilion. The reservoir is
situated below the pavilion and hence is considered an
architectural marvel.

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