Shahi Mahal - Witness to love and death

Located on the banks of the picturesque River Tapti, the Shahi Mahal bears witness not only to the power and fiat of the Mughal Empire, but also to the immortal love of Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan. The historical timeline of Shahi Mahal is as majestic as the town itself.

Built during the Farooqi reign, the palace has two divisions. As per records, one part was meant for official royal proceedings, while the other, called the Haram, served as the royal residence. The grand seven-storeyed structure and the awe-inspiring River Tapti together created a magical setting.

It was for this reason that when Shah Jahan was appointed by the Mughals and sent to Burhanpur as the commander of the Deccan, he chose this palace as the center of Mughal administration. It was here that he presided over Diwan-e-Khas and Diwan-e-Aam for courtly gatherings. Aurangzeb, Mohammad Shuja, and other Mughal nobles were part of these assemblies. Other Mughal successors, including Alamgir, also ruled and resided in the Shahi Mahal after Shah Jahan.

Besides being the center of power, Shahi Mahal also bears witness to the unfortunate last journey of the royal love saga. Queen Mumtaz Mahal died in the arms of Emperor Shah Jahan while giving birth to their fourteenth child. Deeply distraught by her death, Shah Jahan locked himself inside the Shahi Mahal.

The beautifully carved walls of the palace still stand as symbols of its rich legacy and silently portray the eternal love story and royal past buried in the illustrious history of Burhanpur.