Mahabat Maqbara Junagadh

"This historic site lives up to its name. The architecture of the buildings is stunning. Visitors are required to remove their footwear before entering the Makhbara. There's an additional charge for camera usage, and climbing on the minarets is strictly prohibited. Overall, it's a well-maintained site with impressive monuments that showcase rich history."

Manish Jadhav

"Mahabat Maqbara Palace stands out as one of Gujarat’s most visually enthralling and enigmatic heritage monuments, located along the Junagadh – Mendarda Highway in Mullawada, Junagadh.

Conceived in 1878 by Nawab Mahabat Khan II and completed in 1892 by his successor Bahadur Khan III, the palace and adjoining mausoleums offer a remarkable illustration of Junagadh’s late 19th-century royal architectural ambition.

The monument reflects the fusion of Indo-Islamic and European Gothic styles, expressed through its onion-shaped domes, intricate arches, French windows, and winding staircases spiraling around the minarets. These features combine both Indian motifs and European structural influences, setting the palace complex apart as a unique testament to Saurashtra’s multicultural legacy.

Approaching Mahabat Maqbara, visitors first catch sight of its yellow-hued exterior, adorned with elaborate stone and marble carvings that grace both inner and outer facades. The portals are striking, decorated with large silver doors, and the complex’s four minarets stand proudly at each corner, each girded by delicate spiral staircases.

The structure is crowned with bulbous domes, reminiscent of both Mughal and Gothic traditions, and punctuated by ornate jalis and window tracery. These ornamental details, set within harmonious vertical columns and cornices, impart an aura of royalty and grandeur befitting the former Nawabi residence.

Within the palace grounds, the tombs of Mahabat Khan II and his minister Bahaduddin Hussain Bhar evoke the grandeur of Junagadh’s historic past. The adjacent Bahauddin Maqbara, built with personal funds by the minister himself, complements the main structure with additional examples of marble craftsmanship, woodwork, and jharokhas inspired by Gujarat’s vernacular styles. The palace as a whole narrates the intricate stories of the Babi dynasty and the Nawabs who once governed Junagadh State.

Access to Mahabat Maqbara is generally open during daylight hours, making it an inviting destination for heritage enthusiasts and photographers eager to capture its photogenic splendor.

The complex has earned the affectionate nickname “Mini Taj” for its delicate carvings and architectural symmetry, drawing occasional comparisons to Agra’s iconic Taj Mahal. It is locates in the heart of Junagadh, close to major thoroughfares and within easy reach of the city’s railway station, making it both accessible and essential as part of any Junagadh heritage tour.

Recent preservation efforts have ensured that the palace retains its elegance, inviting travelers to step into the bygone era of Nawabi sophistication and architectural brilliance."

A J Bashha

"Very nice historic monument. The architecture art is superb. For better view one should visit in late evening for light effects. The entry fee is 20rs. The maintenance should be taken properly as lot of pigeons are here. Climbing on minarates is not allowed and extra charges for camera."

abhishek jaywant dudwadkar