Neelkanth temple in Mandu is a very popular place of worship for Shiva devotees.
There are inscriptions all over it some of which deal with Akbar’s Deccan victory some with the building of the temple itself.
I quote from a book by Mr Yazdani here:
Nilkanth Mahal / Palace
Imarat-i-Dilkhusha (the heart-pleasing abode)
The Nilkanth palace was built by the Mughal Governor of Mandu – Shah Badgah, as recorded in an inscription on the site. The palace was constructed for Mughal Emperor Akbar’s Hindu wife, Harka Bai ( title Mariyam up Zaman) remembered as Jodhabai in common memory, in the 16th century, by his governor Shah Badgah.
This palace is very close to the ancient Nilkanth shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva & it derives its name from the shrine itself. Interestingly the wall of this palace has a very divine & humble inscription talking about “the futility of earthly pomp and glory ” —
Lo, the owl hath built her nest
In Shirwan Shah’s high storey,
Warning nightly by her cry,
‘ Where now thy pomp and glory ? ‘
— From The City of Joy – Mandu,
By G. Yazdani,
Director of Archaeology in His Exalted Highness The Nizam’s Dominions,
Epigraphist to the Government of India for Muslim Inscriptions
Printed for the State of Dhar, By John Johnson,
From The Indian Encyclopaedia, Set of 25 Volumes
Biographical, Historical, Religious, Administrative, Ethnological, Commercial & Scientific
Volume – 15, Page – 4596 , Cosmos Publications, New Delhi, 2002
*her real name was Harka Bai given title of Mariyam us Zamani : Jodha is a misnomer
