Zuko at 07:11, 17 April 2026

2026-04-17T07:11:33Z

New page

{{Short description|16th century building in India}}
{{distinguish||text=[[Mandav#Places of interest|Jahaz Mahal at Mandu, Madhya Pradesh]]}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2015}}
{{Infobox historic site
| name = Jahaz Mahal
| native_name =
| native_language =
| image = Jahaz Mahal on the bank of Hauz-i-Shamsi.jpg
| caption = [[Façade]] of Jahaz Mahal, on the bank of Hauz-i-Shamsi
| type =
| mapframe = yes
| coordinates = {{Coord|28|30|51.49|N|77|10|42.67|E|type:landmark_region:IN|display=inline,title}}
| locmapin =
| location = [[Mehrauli]], [[Delhi]], India
| area =
| height =
| built = {{Start date and age|1526|df=yes}}
| built_for =
| restored =
| restored_by =
| architect =
| architecture = {{ubl|[[Indo-Islamic architecture|Indo-Islamic]], [[Lodi dynasty|Lodi]]}}
| governing_body =
| owner =
| embedded = {{designation list | embed = yes
| designation1 = MANI
| designation1_offname = {{ubl|Jahaz Mahal}}
| designation1_date =
| designation1_number = N-DL-88 }}
| footnotes =
}}
'''Jahaz Mahal''' ({{Literal translation|Ship Palace}}) is located next to [[Hauz-i-Shamsi]] in [[Mehrauli]], [[Delhi]]. It was so named, since its reflection (illusion) in the surrounding reservoir looked like a ship floating on a lake. It is inferred to have been built during the [[Lodi dynasty]] (1452–1526) as a pleasure [[resort]], [[caravanserai|Sarai]] or an [[inn]].<ref name=explore>{{Cite web|url=http://www.downtoearth.org.in/aagc/Mehrauli_archeological_park.pdf|title=Exploring the Mehrauli Archaeological Park: Hauz -e –Shamshi|access-date=2009-06-21}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref><ref name =foot>{{Cite book|author= Patrick Horton |author2=Richard Plunkett |author3=Hugh Finlay |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ee1HTcplZS0C&q=JAHAJ+MAHAL+DELHI&pg=PA128|title= Delhi|
work=Jahaj Mahal and Hauz-i-Shamsi|page =128|publisher= Footscray, Vic.: Lonely Planet|year=2002|isbn=1-86450-297-5 }}</ref>

==History==
[[File:Front view of Jahaz Mahal, Mehrauli.jpg |thumb|left|200px|Facade of Jahaz Mahal]]
One reason for building the Jahaj Mahal retreat was to provide transit accommodation as a [[caravanserai|Sarai]] or ([[inn]]) to the large number of pilgrims from [[Afghanistan]], [[Arabia]], [[Iran]], [[Iraq]], [[Morocco]] and [[Turkey]] who came to Delhi to visit the many [[Muslim]] [[shrine]]s. Another version is that it was built as a retreat for the emperors, [[Akbar Shah II]] and [[Bahadur Shah II]] and their families, during the summer months, away from the heat and dust of Delhi.<ref name =hindu>{{Cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/mp/2004/10/18/stories/2004101800390200.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041122064145/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2004/10/18/stories/2004101800390200.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=2004-11-22|title=Communal harmony, the Delhi way|access-date=2009-06-21|date= 2004-10-18|work=[[The Hindu]]|location=Chennai, India}}</ref> Its construction is dated between 1451 AD and 1526 AD, before [[Babur|Babar]]'s invasion and the beginning of [[Mughal Empire|Mughal]] rule in Delhi.<ref name =hindu/><ref name = Hauz>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bl.uk/onlinegallery/onlineex/apac/addorimss/t/019addor0005475u00077vrb.html|title= The Iron Pillar within the mosque at the Qutb Minar (left), The waterfall, the overflow from the Hauz-i-Shamsi, near the Qutb Minar (right)|access-date=2009-06-21}}</ref>

==Structure==
The palace is approached from the eastern side. A courtyard, originally in a rectangular shape now seen in ‘U’ shape, is in the center of the palace. The palace has carved impressive square [[chhatris]] (six of them with different numbers of pillars – six, eight and twelve) or [[tower]]s in the corners and the centre, ornamented with beautiful [[squinches]] in different chambers and walls (pictures in the gallery). The domed pavilion over the central gate is decorated with blue tiles. A small [[mosque]] is also located within the palace, as discerned from a [[mihrab]] in a niche on the west wall.<ref name =hindu/><ref name=Lucy>{{Cite book|author=Lucy Peck|title=Delhi - A thousand years of Building|access-date=2009-06-21|work=Hauz Shamsi|page=233|url=https://www.vedamsbooks.com/no43813.htm|publisher=Roli Books Pvt Ltd.|year=2005|isbn=81-7436-354-8|quote=''This is an interesting building, U-shaped now, probably once part of a rectangular courtyard. It is possible that it was once part of a serai or even a pleasure palace beside the tank, hence its nautical name Jahaj (means ship). There is mihrab niche on the west wall, probably a private mosque. The roof is adorned with six chhatris with, variously six eight and twelve pillars. Inside there are a matching variety of squinches in the various chambers.''|archive-date=6 October 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081006201656/http://www.vedamsbooks.com/no43813.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Cultural event==
{{Further|Phool Walon Ki Sair}}
Jahaj Mahal is the venue of the annual colorful festival of the [[Phool Walon Ki Sair]] (means a procession of the florists) or 'Sair-i-Gulfaroshan' held in October. A procession of flower bedecked pankhas (fans) made and carried by the flower vendors starts from [[Mehrauli]] at the overflow outlet of the Hauz-i-Shamsi tank, called "Jharna", stops at the [[Yogmaya Temple]] for the first offering of the flower fan as mark of reverence, moves to the Jahaj Mahal and finally ends at the famous dargah of [[Hazrat]] [[Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki]] for the presentation of the fans and [[Chador|chaddar]] at Kaki's [[dargha]]. It marks the syncretic Hindu-Muslim composite culture. The festival was started by [[Emperor]] [[Akbar Shah II]] in 1820. It was popularised by Emperor [[Bahadur Shah II]]. It was discontinued from 1942 for a time during the [[United Kingdom|British]] period but was restarted in 1961 at the initiative of [[Pandit]] [[Jawaharlal Nehru]], the first [[Prime Minister of India]]. The three-day festival is held at the Jahaj Mahal where elaborate cultural programmes are organised. Cultural troupes from several [[States of India]] perform dances, drama programmes and hold musical soirees (particularly [[Qawwali]]s), in their colourful regional costumes and aspire for honours recognising their talent. Fire dancers lead the procession with pankahs.<ref name="hindu"/><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Attack-took-place-close-to-emblem-of-Indian-secularism/articleshow/3535097.cms|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024054338/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-09-28/delhi/27924012_1_hindus-and-muslims-hindu-muslim-shrine|url-status=live|archive-date=2012-10-24|title= Attack took place close to emblem of Indian secularism|access-date=2009-06-21|first1=Sameer|last1=Arshad|work=[[The Times of India]]|date=2008-09-28}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.delhi-agra-hotels.in/event/165520878|archive-url=https://archive.today/20070611082342/http://www.delhi-agra-hotels.in/event/165520878|url-status=dead|archive-date=2007-06-11|title=Phool-walon-ki-Sair|access-date=2009-06-21}}</ref>
[[File:Jahaz Mahal,Mehrauli,New Delhi,India.jpg|thumb|Jahaj Mahal, Mehrauli, New Delhi, India]]

==Sound and Light Show at Jahaz Mahal==
'Light and Sound Shows' at this historical monument are incorporated with state-of-the-art technology offering a once in a lifetime experience.
Among the numerous architectures, Jahaz Mahal, Mandu provides the most extravagant experience showcasing the history and its associated monuments. This light and sound show takes you to the medieval era.

==Conservation measures==
The Conservation Society, Delhi,(CSD), established in 1984 as a voluntary organisation for preservation of Delhi's environment and architectural heritage with the main objective of creating awareness among the public of Delhi's heritage, conducts seminars, workshops and heritage walks to promote awareness and pursue conservation activities. Jahaj Mahal is one of the monuments identified by CSD to pursue concerted conservation activities with the agencies responsible for such works, in [[Mehrauli]], Delhi's urban village which is one of 111 such villages identified all over Delhi.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.indiaprofile.com/heritage/conservationsociety-delhi.htm|title= The Conservation Society – Delhi|access-date=2009-06-21}}</ref><ref name=protect>{{Cite web|url=http://www.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/files/lib/2006/MAY/11/11IED-THIS.doc|title= This monument seeks a protector|access-date=2009-06-21}}</ref>

==Visitor information==
The heritage monument is open on all days of the week from sunrise to sunset. The nearest railway station is Hazrat [[Nizamuddin Railway Station]]. The metro station is at Chattarpur on the [[Yellow Line (Delhi Metro)|Yellow Line]]. The nearest international airport is the [[Indira Gandhi International Airport]]. It is easily approachable from any part of the Delhi city by road transport. It is better to see with Mehruli Archeological Park to enjoy Delhi sultanate monuments. Inside the park there is an ample parking space.

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Jahaz Mahal on the bank of Hauz-i-Shamsi tank.jpg|View of Jahaz Mahal from [[Hauz-i-Shamsi]]
</gallery>

== See also ==

* [[Jal Mahal]]
*[[Mandu, Madhya Pradesh|Jahaz Mahal, Mandu]]

==References==
{{commons category|Jahaz Mahal, Delhi}}
{{reflist}}
{{Delhi}}

[[Category:Palaces in Delhi]]
[[Category:Mehrauli]]
[[Category:Monuments of National Importance in Delhi]]
[[Category:Architecture of the Lodi dynasty]]

Jahaz Mahal - Revision history

Zuko at 07:11, 17 April 2026