Gohar Mahal: A Perfect Piece of Architecture that Produces Positive Vibes

The Upper Lake looked like a sea covered with a grey blanket in a mid-winter afternoon. The trilling winged guests were returning to their nests, bidding adieu to the day. An architectural wonder of Bhopal, Gohar Mahal, stood like a mute spectator facing the vast water body, in the dwindling daylight. At this hour, a traveller, coming along the lakeshore, is dazzled and awed by the giant 200-year-old mysterious edifice built by Qudsia Begum in 1820. Once, the centre of power, the building displays a fine blend of Mughal and Hindu architecture.

- Arup Chakraborty

In the hardship of day and its scorching heat, you can see reflection of man; in the soothing breeze and in peace of night, who shines but woman? – Nari (Woman) by Kazi Nazrul Islam (translated from Bengali by Mohammad Omar Farooq)

The three-storied edifice is so well-planned that it stuns a modern architect. Constructed on a contoured site, the structure has an easy approach from the road to the building with entry points from the south-east direction. There is an entrance from the lakeshore, which is at the eastern corner of the building. It has two courtyards. The total floor area of the building is 650 square meters. A massive wall bears the load of the structure. The top floor is walled with wooden frames and the roof is covered with slate tiles. The exquisite interior of the building is well-finished. Around the courtyards, there are verandas with direct and indirect openings.