Nilkanth Palace or Mahal was once a temple dedicated to Lord Mahadeva. It was later converted into a pleasure palace by Akbar's general Budag Khan. This is located south of the Chorkot Mosque and lies on the same side of the road. A winding trail descends from the main road to the Nilkanth Palace. Apart from historical importance the place has immense natural beauty. The northern side offers great views of the undulating lush green landscape of Mandu. The U shaped palace is centered round an octagonal pond, with its south side open. A series of waterways and channels brought water to the pond. A Persian inscription on the walls of the palace narrates the story of the Mahal or Palace. Today the temples again functions as an active temple.
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This small complex is south of the unknown tomb and mosque and lies on the same side of the road. Since it is located a bit far from the city the abandoned structure once served as a refuge of thieves and antisocial persons. Hence the name chorkot (chor means thief and kot means fort). The structure follows the standard format of other Mandu complex with a single domed tomb in the foreground along with a three domed structure in the background.
Adhar Dome
On the western side of the Dai ka Mahal lies a massive domed structure, which the Archaeological survey of India (ASI) describes as the Unknown Tomb. While some historians mention it as the Adhar Dome. Here also nothing is known about the occupant of the massive tomb. It is a two storied structure with a flight of stairs on the south side. The remaining three sides have seven arched entrance each. The stairs lead to the top of the first level which acts as a platform of the tomb, which is on the second level. The square tomb has arched entrance on all four sides and is topped with a massive tomb. This is the largest and the most prominent structure of the Sagar Talao group.
A south ward walk along the main road of Mandu leads to Sagar Talao on the left. Just after reaching the lake a dirt road on the left (there is a signage) leads to the Sagar Talao group. The dirt road leads to the Malik Mughith's Mosque and Carava Sarai. The two structure face each other with Malik Mughith's Mosque on the east.The entrance of the mosque is through the center of the eastern side. On the either side of the entrance and along the plinth are 12 arches, six on each side. these lead to rooms. The rooms probably served as quarters for the mosque staff. A long flight of stairs leads to a domed entrance. Sadly the dome has long collapsed and have most of the pillars, which once held the dome. A Persian inscription at the mosque entrance mention that the mosque was constructed in 1432. The entrance leads to an open courtyard, with pillared passageways on all four sides. The centre of the western side is crowned with a dome. There are also domes on the south – western and north – western corners. The western end contains, three passage ways separated by beautifully decorated columns. Just south of the mosque is a ruined structure which probably served as the Imam's house.
This is located on the opposite side of the Dary Khan’s Tomb Complex and is approached by a dirt road. Roja or Khadija Bibi, was a women Sufi saint, probably the one of its kind in the whole of Mandu. She was cremated inside the tomb. The black stoned built domed structure has an arched entrance on the western side and there are several other graves inside the tomb.
On the south west corner of the Caravan Sarai is a domed structure known as the Dai ki Chhoti Behen ka Mahal. The structure consists of a domed mausoleum along with a mosque. Dai literally means mid - wife or nurse and choti bahin means younger sister hence the tomb belonged to a younger sister of a nurse. No wonder the nurse definitely had a high status, but sadly nothing is known about her. Just south of the Dai ki Chhoti Bahin ka Mahal is a remains of a Mughal styled char bagh garden known as Lal Bagh.
Literally meaning the house of the mid wife or nurse this too like the Dai ki Chhoti Bahin ka Mahal is a grave combined with a mosque. Again nothing is known about the nurse and story of her magnificent mausoleum. The octagonal structure stands on a high plinth and is topped with a huge dome. The dome rests on an octagonal drum, with small cupolas at each corners. Strangely there are no graves inside. The mosque is on the western side and large portions of it has long collapsed and only traces of its walls on the northern and southern side remains along with two domes.