The etymological meaning of Junagadh is “old Fort”. It is located in the state of Gujarat in the laps of the sacred hills of Girnar in Saurashtra. Amongst the various forts and monuments in Junagadh, one of the major Tourist attractions in Junagadh, the Mahabat Maqbara, Junagadh is an exquisite exhibition of the nineteenth century art and architecture.
History of Mahabat Maqbara Palace:
The city of Junagadh can boast of some beautiful ancient mausoleum erected by the Nawabs of Junagadh in the 18th century in the area around Chitkana Chowk. These mausoleum are charming in their own way, with nicely designed arches, vertical columns, and intricate stone carvings. However, the mausoleum built later; or rather the newer ones are more attractive and lure a greater number of tourists who floch to this place every year.
Started in 1878 by Mahabat Khanji and completed in the year 1892 by his successor, Bahadur Kanji, the Mahabat Maqbara, Junagadh houses the tombs of Mahabat Khan, Baha-ud-din, minister of Nawab Rasul Khanji.
Description of Mahabat Maqbara Palace:
The yellow mausoleum, Mahabat Maqbara, Junagadh, is a masterpiece of it own kind. The uniqueness of the affluence of silver at the portals teemed with intricate carvings and the winding staircase encircling the four minarets attract a lot of tourists to its site. The onion shaped dome also adds to the entire beauty of the spectacle.
A fusion of Indo-Islamic architecture coupled with Gothic art form , the Mahabat Maqbara, Junagadh, emits the sense of secularism going beyond petty religious egos and reaching new heights of equality and exchange of respective cultures. On one side of the mausoleum is the Jami Masjid and the Vazir’s maqbara on the other.
The Mahabat Maqbara, Junagadh is generally kept under lock and key, but can be glimpsed into by obtaining the keys from the mosque situated beside the mausoleum. Several Forts and monuments in Junagadh undoubtedly adorn the beautiful state of Gujarat and the Mahabat Maqbara, Junagadh is no exception.
