Malcha Mahal: Discovering Delhi’s haunted past
Delhi, the historical capital of India, is all about stories of the past. Among several landmarks, there’s one unusual place that stands out as a whispered legend of supernatural intrigue known as Machla Mahal. The place is still shrouded in mystery.
Let’s find out more about this mysterious place.
History of Malcha Mahal
For those who don’t know, Malcha Mahal is a Tughlaq-era hunting lodge built in 1325 by Feroz Shah Tughlaq. The palace is situated in Malcha, which is one of the pretty hamlets around Raisina Hill.
For centuries, the mansion remained abandoned before a mysterious family started living there. The family claimed to be descendants of the Nawab of Awadh. Wilayat Mahal, head of the family, along with her son Ali Raza and daughter Sakina Mahal started living inside the palace. She claimed to be the great-granddaughter of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah and for years, she used to live near the New Delhi station.
She demanded the Indian government to return her ancestral property, which was seized by the British illegally. Indira Gandhi, the then Prime Minister of India, got involved in this and after looking at the miserable condition of the family ordered to find a residence for Wilayat Mahal. Eventually Malcha Mahal was given to them and the family moved into the property in 1985.
Haunted tales
As per locals, the palace is haunted by the spirit of Begum Wilayat Mahal. She committed suicide after allegedly gulping down crushed diamonds. The last member of this mysterious royal family Prince Ali Raza also died in 2017. He was found dead inside the palace.
Paranormal hub
The reputation of Machla Mahal as one of the most haunted places in Delhi attracts a number of paranormal enthusiasts and thrill-seekers. Several visitors come here in the hopes of an eerie encounter, laced with modern cameras and voice recorders. Some also carry ghost-hunting equipment.
But irrespective of Machla Mahal’s haunted reputation, the place remains an important part of Delhi’s historical heritage and it stands as a witness to the city’s rich past.