STATE PROTECTED MONUMENTS OF MANDSOUR

Fort of Hingalajgarh
The fort of Hinglajgarh is covered in an apsidal deep trench. Situated on a hillock the fort can be approached from northern side only. There is Mandaleshwari nullah to the west of the trench, which flows southwards and merges in Tarwaji. From architectural point of view the fort originally belongs to Parmar period. The fort has the typical features of a forest fort, a mountain fort and a water fort and arches were built there as per injunctions of the shashtra. It has entrance gates on all four directions. The fort was built in Parmar period, but at the time of Muslim invasion it was destroyed. The Rajputs of Mewar and Chandrawats of Rampura reconstructed the fort in 16th century A.D. Maharaja Yashwant Rao Holkar II made it his military center and got the fronts of the enclosing wall repaired. Ysahwnt Rao Holkar I added an apsidal parapet and built Suraj Pol. Kanchari Mahal, Rani Mahal, Ram Mandir and Hinglajgarh Devi temple were constructed at the same time. The western portion of Rani Mahal was also constructed. The gate of inner wall that divides the entire fort is called Ganesh Pol. Beyond it towards the eastern slope there exists the Suraj Kund. It belongs to Parmar period and its baradari was built in 18th century A.D.
Garhi of Thakur Chaman Singh, Achera
The fortress is now in a state of ruins. Its builder Thakur Chaman Singh was a Yadavavanshi Bhati Jagirdar. The construction of the imposing fortress started in Samvat 1803 i.e. 1746 A.D. and completed in Samvat 1816 i.e. 1759 A.D. The fortress was built of lime, bricks , red and white stone. It was built for residential purpose as well as strategic point of view. The main entrance gate is very strong and east-facing. The fortress of Achera belongs to later Mughal period and was built in 18th century.
Rock cut caves, Poladongar
The name is derived from Pola that means " hollow" and Dongar that means "hillock". There exists 32 rock cut caves on three sides to the western , southern and eastern parts of the hill. There is a Chaityagriha to south which is intact. The western group consists of 19 caves, southern group 8 from 20 to 27 and the eastern group comprises 5 caves. This group of caves belongs to the Hinyan sect of Buddhism and on the basis of style is assigned to 5th century A.D.
Rock cut caves, Khejadia Bhoop
The group of rock cut caves is situated on an apsidal hill. These 28 caves wee made by cutting the hills for residential purpose for Buddhist Bhikkhus. These have small cells and verandahs in front portion. Some are single caves and some are inter-connected. Caves No.1 and 2 are Vihar and the roof is prishthakrit. Cave No. 10 is a large one. There is a Stupa on its premises. The architecture of these caves reflect features of the architecture of Gupta period. These rock cut caves of Khhadia Bhoop are very important from the point of view of development of Buddhist architecture and propagation of Buddhism.
Varah Temple, Kanwala
This attractive and important Varah temple originally belongs to 9-10th century on the basis of its style. Its mandap is in its original shape but its garbha-griha and exterior walls and shikhar were renovated. The ground plan of the temple consists of garbha-griha, antaral, mandap and mukhmandap.
Toran Warda, Ghasai
Toran means pillar and Warda means hillock. So this pillared hillock is called Toran Warda. Once there existed four Jain pillars of Parmar period, but now only top portion of the pillars is available. These pillars are square and their tops are round. Below it the footmarks of Tirthankaras are carved in the rathika on the square portion. An inscription is engraved in danda portion below the Tirthankaras. These pillars seem to have been installed in memory of Jain monks and belong to around 13th century A.D.
Laxami Narayan Temple , Afjalpur
The Laxami Narayan temple is traced to Parmar period but after its destruction in the wake of Muslim invasion it was renovated in about 18th century. The temple is situated on high platforms. Its plan consists of garbha-griha, antaral and mandap. The garbha-griha is square where modern idols of Vishnu and Laxami are installed. There is a mandap supported by twelve pillars beyond the antaral. The shikhar on the garbha-griha is of Nagar style. Lime and bricks are used in it.
Chhatri, Afjalpur
The Chhatri is built on a high platform approached by steps. The edges of the platform are decorated. There exists a hexagonal structure of Chhatri supported by 6 pillars in the middle of the platform. The pillars are made of stone but bricks and lime were used in the dome. On the basis of style the Chhatri belongs to 19th century.
Suraj Temple, Khilchipur
The existing temple is not in its original shape. It was given the present shape by joining the pieces of the ancient temple after renovation. The present temple is rectangular. Originally it is the mandap of the temple. It has 6 pillars. An image of Ganesha is carved on the lalat bimb of the sirdal on the entrance, which seems to have been added at the time of renovation. The jambs of the temple belong to the original temple. The Original temple belongs to 10-11th century and it was renovated in 18-19th century.
Doodheshwar Mahadev Temple,Chirmolia
Popularly known as Doodheshwar Mahadev, the Shiva temple originally belongs to 13th century but after its collapse it was renovated in 17-18th century. The plan of this east-facing temple consists of garbha-griha, antaral, mandap and mukhmandap. The garbha-griha is square where idols of Maratha period are installed.