Malcha Mahal , also known as Wilayat Mahal , is a Tughlaq era hunting lodge in the Chanakyapuri area of New Delhi, India next to the Delhi Earth Station of the Indian Space Research Organisation
It was built by Firuz Shah Tughlaq, who reigned over the Sultanate of Delhi, in 1325. It came to be known as Wilayat Mahal after the self-proclaimed “Begum Wilayat Mahal” of Awadh, who claimed to be a member of the Royal family of Oudh and was reportedly given the place by the Government of India in May 1985.
Begum Wilayat Mahal along with her two children, lived in the ruins of the palace for many years, but eventually, tragedy struck. After the Begum’s death, her children reportedly died under strange circumstances. It is said that his daughter, after being confined to the Mahal for many years, lost her sanity and eventually died in isolation. These untimely deaths and the eerie silence that followed have fuelled the haunting rumours surrounding the Mahal.
Begum Wilayat Mahal, self-proclaimed great-granddaughter of the last Nawab of Awadh, Wajid Ali Shah, was reportedly allotted the Mahal in May 1985, following the intervention of the Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi in 1984. Begum Wilayat Mahal had been protesting for nine years by living in a waiting room at the New Delhi railway station , demanding compensation for the loss of her ancestral property in Awadh which was seized when Wajid Ali Shah’s kingdom was annexed by the British
Why is Malcha Mahal Considered Haunted?
- Mysterious Deaths: The untimely deaths of the Begum and her children—especially the mysterious conditions under which they passed away—are often cited as the foundation of the palace’s haunted reputation. The palace, once a symbol of royal grandeur, became a place of sorrow and death, which gave rise to various supernatural rumours.
- Isolation: The palace’s remote location, deep in the heart of the forested Ridge area, adds to its eerie allure. The isolation of the Mahal has made it a popular spot for urban legends and ghost stories. It’s not a place most people venture to, which has led to many speculations about what could be lurking there.
- Ghostly Sightings: Locals and visitors who have ventured into the area claim to have seen strange lights flickering from within the palace or heard unexplained sounds emanating from the ruins. Some even say they’ve seen figures walking through the grounds, though no one has ever managed to confirm these sightings with photographic evidence.
Google Map location of the place - https://maps.app.goo.gl/vuPbM5qNiZHfiXwy5
Tickets required - No
Accessibility - This Place is Not Wheelchair accessible
Have you ever visited a haunted place? We’d love to hear your spooky experiences! Whether it was a creepy mansion, an abandoned building, or just an eerie location, share your stories with us! What happened? Did you feel a chill in the air, or see something that can’t be explained? Drop your ghostly tales below!