The ancient hill fort of Mandu, with inscriptional evidence dating back to AD 555 is situated only 35 km away from the district headquarters, Dhar. The rock cut caves, namely, Lohani and Sat Kothari, are the earliest and rarer type of architecture amongst the over 60 structural monuments. The important ones are located in three groups, known as,1) Royal Complex 2) Hoshangh Shahs Tomb 3) Roopmati’s Pavilion. The monuments that the visitor must see in this Hoshang Shah Tomb area are:

1) Hoshangs Tomb, a mausoleum built entirely of marble. Though it faces the enterance porch on the north the accesss to the tomb proper is from the south through a doorway of exquisite proportions and ornamentation. The interior is plain but for the ornamental mouldings such as the miniature arches with blue enamel background running all along the rim of the dome.The main sarcophagus of Hoshang Shah is carved in the form of a casket with receding bands and with a mihrab moulded at the top. There are other graves also below the dome, three of which are in marble.

2) Dharmashala within the Compound of Hoshang’s Tomb is situated to the west of Hoshang’s Shah’s tomb and annexed to it is a Dharamshala. It consists of a colonnade divided into three aisles by rows of pillars. The flat ceiling supported on pillars, brackets and lintels is typical of Hindu architecture. However, a long narrow hall at its back with vaulted ceiling is purely Indo-Islamic in architectural style.

Entrance Fee:

Citizens of India and visitors of SAARC (Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Maldives and Afghanistan) and BIMSTEC Countries (Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Myanmar) – Rs. 25 per head.

Others:
Indian Rs. 300/- per head

(Free entry to children up to 15 years)