Moti Mahal in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, Unveils Centuries of History and Grandeu

Hyderabad: Among the scores of monuments with historical significance in Madhya Pradesh is the majestic Moti Mahal, built in the 18th century.

The mahal, located near the chhatri (memorial) of Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi in Gwalior, once used to be the assembly hall of Madhya Bharat of the erstwhile Scindia kingdom.

The assembly sessions were held in a traditional style with members sitting on ‘gaddas’ (soft mattress) on the floor while the then king and bureaucrats used to sit in an adjacent room.

“The first assembly of Madhya Pradesh was held in the mahal which was built by Maharaja Jayajirao Scindia,” a caretaker told a group of visiting journalists.

In addition to the rich collection of wall paintings, the mahal, set amid greenery, is a chandelier weighing 1.5 tonnes in the main darbar hall where the speaker used to preside.

“There are only two such chandeliers in the world and the other one is in Germany. This chandelier was imported from Germany and made from Belgium glass,” said the caretaker, appointed by the Madhya Pradesh directorate of archaeology, archives and museums.

At multiple places the Moti Mahal has pure gold leaf (sone ka varq), which weigh up to 15 kg. “ The gold used in making jewelry is not as pure as the one used to deck up Moti Mahal,” he said.

The Ragamala paintings showing a Dasara ceremony and a 200-year-old painting of Lord Krishna with Radha is worth seeing.
A familiarization trip to Madhya Pradesh also revealed that the Scindias were instrumental in empowering women.

The mahal has provisions for women to learn watch and learn how the assembly proceedings were held.

“After Maharaj Daulatrao Scindia, Maharani Bejabai Scindia governed the state from Moti Mahal," said an official from the archaeology directorate.