I found information related to the Mariam Mahal ruins in Jaipur two years ago & ever since then I wanted to explore this place. Despite all efforts to find the Mariam Mahal ruins for over a year in the jungles around Jaipur, I wasn’t too lucky. But the quest for elusive Mariam Mahal continued!
History
Mirza Man Singh I, the ruler of Amer was one of the Navratana (nine gems) in the court of Mughal king Akbar. He led the Mughal army as a general, from Afghanistan in the west to Bangladesh in the east. He was instrumental in growth of Mughal rule in India. Despite his popularity, hardly anyone knows about his eldest son Jagat Singh who also fought many wars along with his father, Mirza Man Singh. He built a palace for his lover Mariam located far away from the famous Amer Fort. It was called Mariam Mahal. Jagat Singh died at an early age around 32-34 due to the habit of excessive drinking. Mariam continued to live in this place till her death. The daughter born to the duo got married to the Mughal ruler Jahangir, whose son Shah Jahan built the World Famous Taj Mahal. Her name was Koka Kumari. She was the 22nd wife of Jahangir; much famous Nur Jahan was 25th. Jagat Shiromani temple in Amer was built as a remembrance to the Jagat Singh.
Read complete post on Amer Fort
Who was Mariam?
There are no written records to answer this question. But from what some historians infer she must have been an Armenian Christian. During the Mughal emperor Akbar’s rule many Armenians were granted special privileges to settle and trade in India. It is believed that she must have come to India when Armenians first emigrated. Probably, we will never know the truth!
The Ruins of Mariam Mahal
Mariam Mahal is in idyllic surroundings amidst dense forest. Even though there is no confirmed information, the popular belief holds that this palace is 400-450 years old. The floods of 1981 caused extensive damage to the Mariam Mahal. It’s cannot be reached through a road; it is accessible only through trekking path amidst the thick forest.
Previously, there was a cobble stone path but now it’s hidden under the thick foliage. The palace overlooks the valley on the edge of a hill. The drop from the edge is at least 170-225 feet.
There are some structures in the valley forming part of the palace, which looks like the entrance gate and place meant for the security guards.
The wall ramparts are completely damaged, visible in hardly a few places. In the palace area, living quarters barely exist. A small section of a dwelling unit is all that remains now apart from the base of a turret.
It’s really sad this piece of history will be completely gone in a few years, escaping the attention of conservationists and authorities.
Here are a few more pictures of the ruins of Mariam Mahal. The first one seems to be a reception area in the form of a Chhatri.
Some people in the anticipation of hunting for old treasure have caused extensive damage to Mariam Mahal in Jaipur. Here is a picture that depicts the sad state this building is currently in. People have been digging up the various parts of this heritage structure.
Coming back to the main story of locating Mariam Mahal, it wouldn’t have been possible without the help of a local who lives in the this jungle. It was a chance meeting during a hiking exploration. His traces his lineage to 400-500 years and narrated a few incidents and stories from his ancestors of Jagat Singh. He pointed out a broken path through which the prince would arrive riding on an elephant or horse.
Some more pictures that show depict the path to Mariam Mahal. The first one if the entrance to Mariam Mahal.
Another picture of the path to Mariam Mahal which hardly exists now and has almost vanished.
It’s a dense jungle where finding your way is not easy apart from the danger of encountering the wild beasts. It’s almost impossible to reach this place on your own.
We heard many incidents & habits of panthers who live in these jungles from the locals who accompanied us. We visited one of the panthers’ hideouts, a den! The quest finally ended!
JaipurThruMyLens 
Mariam Mahal is not even close to being deemed as a recognizable relic. It is sad how we value our historical treasures. It says a lot about the nation and its people. An insightful exploration and reporting Arvind.
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You said it well on our attitude towards everything heritage… Vaibhav!
only if we can turn them around and generate some revenue, i’m sure it’ll work well for their maintenance. Thanks for sharing your views vaibhav!
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Fascinating, Arv. As I think we’ve said before, there are so many wonderful ruins and old buildings in India, many of them just get overlooked. I understand there are 10,000 recognised sites in Delhi, for example!
This place looks really exciting, though. It must be a fantastic experience to find a place like this in the jungle.
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you nailed it right Mick! sometimes the build up of excitement really steals the show! What I really loved about this place is the serenity! desolate location just adds on! I was just wondering what it would be like to live in such environs!! …just a thought! 🙂
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I’ve always thought that I would like to live remotely. Whenever I have the chance to spend time in a location that is remote, I always feel a sense of loss on returning to ‘civilisation’.
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You are right..we humans are programmed as a “social animal”. I guess beyond a point isolation doesn’t work for us. what is the limit for each of us?…that’s another issue! 🙂
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Yes, we’re all different. I need far more solitude than some of my friends, for example.
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That’s generally a sign of creative people (energies)…Congrats! 😉
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Thanks for putting a positive spin on that, Arv!
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🙂
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Nice post !
I am likely in the minority of those who say, “it should continue, to rot away into the surroundings”? I enjoyed this post immensely. Yet really, 400 years old is not that long in Earth terms. Perhaps in the measurement of people’s lives?
The lives of those who once inhabited, I believe, should not be disturbed. I get a little tired of those who want to dig up stuff, from the past. When those who were interred and their possessions, were meant to be respected. Not put in a jar, in some lab or museum. Though, I digress.
Was the place an imposing edifice when being used? Probably, a bit. Though the stonework appears less impressive than … say? Mohendro Daro? That place is considerably older, too.
As for the Panthers? We do not have them in Canada, but we do have a close relative. Called Cougars, or Mountain Lions. Of meeting them or Porcupines. I would likely be more afraid of the Porcupine. For a face full of those quills, is fearsome. Though at my age, now. I would be glad not to meet either while hiking and would be respectful of both them and their habitat. Nice post and at least you captured on images, what is left today. Cheers Jamie.
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I appreciate your point of view Jamie…always fresh and different!
while I do think that somethings need to go as they were intended to, at the same time, what was important part of history needs to be preserved and documented! while we can’t compare it with Mohenjodaro since it’s a lone building and unlike that city which got buried and preserved somehow in it’s own way, this one had beating of all elements of nature. well, now it’s almost gone…
well, panthers themselves avoid humans for it’s the only race that has caused extinction of majority of extinct species on this planet.Need I say more? Only humans have such “animal-istic” attitude.
As I said earlier, I always appreciate your comments Jamie! Thanks for sharing one here. 🙂
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Thanks Arv! I always read your posts, they are thoughtful and entertaining. Any commentary is meant to enhance, not denigrate.
Please continue giving us your blogs, about Jaipur. Thanks! Cheers Jamie.
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I’m delighted to have you as a reader! What’s a blog without interaction? Readers make all the difference 🙂
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Really overawed by the history and your brave attempts to locate the ruins…a great post in search of the elusive..
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Thank You! I wouldn’t say it was brave, but the urge to find did get addressed. While everyone can see popular places, these are real hidden gems!
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Lovely post Arv, thanks for sharing your quest to find Mariam Mahal, it looks like a real expedition too! Glad you avoided panthers and found only quills!
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Thank you Vicky! It did turn out to be some adventure, there was no marked trail and heavy vegetation. But it was surely worth it! 🙂
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Mindblowing. What a fabulous tale of exploration, Arvind bhai. And the photographs are superb.
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Thank You Shubham! 🙂
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Arv, I am amazed at the history of the elusive Mariam Mahal ruins. It’s a really interesting story and you told it so well! 🙂 I really love ALL your photographs you have captured some nice angles and the greenery is so stunning! It’s sad what’s left of the Mariam Mahal but I’m so glad you were able to see it since you have been searching for it for so long. 🙂 I was even able to see a porcupine quill 😉 Good thing you didn’t see an actual porcupine!
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Jennifer while it’s much easier to visit and explore protected heritage sites which are major tourist attractions, finding information about this kind place is very difficult. Locating one -almost impossible!
With the quantum of heritage sites we have it’s very difficult to preserve all of them.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and views Jennifer! 🙂
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That’s incredible Arv, I’m so glad you were able to visit this beautiful site then 🙂 Your pictures will hold a special meaning to it. 🙂
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Thank you for Jennifer! 🙂
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😊😊
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That’s a fascinating story! I am glad to have learned something new today 🙂
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I’m happy that you liked it Gitanjali! 🙂
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This is so Neat! I love a treasure hunt! I wish we had such history! Amazing story Arv! and yes, I saw the Quills! Ouch! 🙂 T.
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Ha ha! I’m happy you liked it. We have history all around us. How about visiting Jaipur for your share? 🙂
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One day when I win the Lotto! lol….till then I have to wait! I’ll let you know if and when I win!! 🙂 T.
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And I’ll wish you good luck. Have you read the book by title “Secret” ?
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No, I haven’t….I’ll have a look in our library….:) T.
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sure.. 🙂
here’s a link….
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Secret_(book)
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I am glad that you have recorded these ruins. Now they would go down the history through Google. 🙂
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I know what you mean here….The sad aspect of technology that often information is lost forever due to technical glitches, who knows…? I have many friends who have lost pictures saved on their laptop hard disk due to crash or accidental “delete”. Books on the other hand tend to survive for centuries. I myself own books that are at least 150-170 years old owned by my ancestors.I wish there was some way in which this monument could be saved, but it’s too late now! Thank you for sharing your thoughts here & your kind comment. 🙂
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Wonderful , Thanks for the post.
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Thank You Rupam! 🙂
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I love all the greenery! So pretty.
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thank you Ladyfi! It sure is quite green!
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I’ve nominated you for “One Lovely blog Award” , you don’t have to accept but please visit my site to read all about it! Cheers! T. 🙂
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Thank You for considering & nominating me for the award. However, I have maintained award free blog therefore I have never posted for it. I’m happy that you found me worthy enough for nomination.appreciate that…. Thank You! 🙂
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Your very welcome Arv! no biggy if you don’t accept….just wanted you to know Your Blog is Great!! 🙂 T.
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I know… Making to your list itself is an achievement for me! Thanks for understanding 🙂
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What a fascinating trek and so sad that it is being forgotten. My first inspiration to visit India were photos of temples or places in the forest jungles!
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well I guess it’s a fact that it’ll be lost forever…very soon.Going same way as many other things have! Well, don’t worry there’s so much to explore here in India, that it’ll take many years to complete the quest. 🙂
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Very informative piece of work. Highlighting the reign of king Akbar. Enjoyed reading thoroughly.
FYI.. My daughter too is named Mariam :))
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Wow! Good to know. I was told that it’s name prevalent in Iran.
Thank you for sharing your views here. 🙂
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Mostly common amongst Muslims taking it after Mary(Mariam) mother of Jesus(ISA) who is also a prophet in Islam.
Always a pleasure :)) Have blessed day!!
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Oh! Now I get it. I always thought it’s a Christian name associated with mother Mary. But then never heard any Christian using this name!! Thanks
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Most welcome :)))
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🙂 Where do you live in Lanka?
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Colombo :))
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Have been to Colombo long back
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Oh! That’s nice.Way back in the sense??
In fact Colombo had drastically advanced within the last five years.On progress of rapid advancement after 3decades of ethnic war.
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It was almost eight years ago. I was in Lanka for work, so didn’t explore much. 🙂
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Oh!!😊👍
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🙂
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