Historically-rich Places to Visit in Chanderi, Madhya Pradesh!

Chanderi, a small, quaint village in the heartland of Madhya Pradesh, is far from sight but close to history. Situated in the middle of the Vindhyachal Range, the village has much to reveal. If you look closely at the Khooni Darwaza or Koshak Mahal, you'll uncover narratives that reflect the rich history of this place—some terrible, some intriguing, like the one portrayed in the recent release Stree 2. Here’s a look at the historically famous places to visit in Chanderi, a district where the above-mentioned film was shot. 

Chanderi Fort

The fort of Chanderi is one of the main attractions of this village in Madhya Pradesh. Throughout its history, Chanderi Fort has been the focal point of numerous battles and sieges. The famous battle of Chanderi was fought in 1528 AD between the Mughal ruler Babar and the Rajputs. 

Khooni Darwaza 

The first and the main gate of the Chanderi Fort is called the ‘Khooni Darwaza.’ The name ‘khooni’ was given to this door because it has witnessed a lot of bloodshed during the earlier times. One such story is of Rani Manimala, the wife of the ruler of Chanderi, who stood as a symbol of defiance during Babur’s invasion. As the Mughal forces, aided by the treacherous Himmat Singh, breached the fort, the queen knew that capture meant dishonour. Faced with the inevitability of defeat, she performed Jauhar by jumping into the fire in front of the army. 

Koshak Mahal

Koshak Mahal is an architectural marvel of Chanderi. The then-Sultan of Malwa, Mehmud Shah Khilji constructed this building to memorialise his victory over Sultan Mehmood Sharki in the battle of Kalpi. It is also said that the Sultan constructed this monument to employ the people around the area.

Jama Masjid

Jama Masjid is one of the oldest mosques in the entire Bundelkhand region. It was built in the 13th century by Ghiassudin Balban and came under the rule of the Delhi Sultanate. The entrance is carved with leaf ornaments and floral and geometrical patterns and the interiors feature domes, ponds and places of worship. 

Raja Rani Mahal

Dating back to the 15th century, Raja Rani Mahal, often referred to as the King and Queen's Palace, embodies the magnificence characteristic of the Rajput kings of that era. Though its exact beginnings are unknown, the Mahal is thought to have served as a stronghold for the Bundela Rajput monarchs.

Shehzadi Ka Rauza

Shehzadi Ka Rauza, or the Tomb of Princess Mehrunissa (the daughter of the governor at the time), was constructed on a 12-foot-high platform and is located next to the famous Parameshwar tank. The outer wall is divided into two levels: one towering and the other slightly lower, both composed of arched constructions. The most noticeable feature of the monument is its modest, flowing brackets that support it on both levels. However, the monument itself consists of a single, one-story, square room.

Chanderi Museum 

If you wish to find more about the history of Chanderi, you can find it at the Chanderi Archaeological Museum. This museum was established in 1999 with the goal of conserving the remnants of Chanderi's past.  It consists of 5 galleries namely History of Chanderi Gallery, Vaishnava Gallery, Shaiva & Shakta Gallery, Jaina Gallery, and Anandam Gallery consisting of artefacts, sculptures and remains.