Burhanpur Madhya Pradesh

Discover Burhanpur

With remnants of Mughal opulence and a secret royal past, Burhanpur on the banks of the Tapti River is one of Madhya Pradesh’s best-kept secrets. This fascinating town has witnessed centuries of Mughal drama since being founded in the 15th century by Faruqi kings. In the 17th century, it was captured by Emperor Akbar and ruled for a century by his successors. The Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan originally wanted to build the Taj Mahal in Burhanpur but chose Agra to avoid bugs and transporting marble.

Explore maze-like lanes to see wonderful examples of Indian rural architecture, and to experience traffic jams containing buffalo and horse-drawn carriages.

Things to do in Burhanpur

Some of the great things you can enjoy in Burhanpur include:

The tomb of Begum Shah Shuja
This well-preserved tomb was built by Shah Jahan for his loyal commander Shah Shuja’s wife. Inside you’ll find gorgeous Mughal frescoes painted using vegetable dyes

Shahi Qila
Originally built by the Faruqis, Shah Jahan renovated this fort and added private halls. Although it lies in ruins today, it’s easy to sense the opulence from days gone by, including a marble bath with painted frescos on its dome.

Jami Masjid
In the centre of Burhanpur is the Jami Masjid, built in 1590. This imposing black stone mosque has a Sanskrit inscription carved into the stone right under the Arabic lettering.

The best way to see Burhanpur

If you would like to visit Burhanpur, why not take a look at one of our wonderful ATOL and ABTA protected holidays?  Please remember all our private tours are designed to meet your exact requirements, and the tours mentioned are just examples to help inspire you. Contact our travel experts on 01792 315499 or email info@aitholidays.com for more information.