Tucked within the winding streets of Juni Indore, Shri Sansthan Bada Rawala stands as one of the city’s oldest and most intimate symbols of power, memory, and architectural heritage. Constructed between 1650 and 1662 by Rao Balram Mandloi, the palace was founded following spiritual guidance from a revered mendicant near the banks of the Kshata (Khan) River. This marked a pivotal shift from Kampel to what would become the heart of Indore—a decision that seeded the city’s eventual identity.

Built on a hill shaped like a tortoise (considered auspicious), the palace’s architectural language blends Malwa vernacular, Rajput strength, and ritualistic symmetry. The Rawala features grand arched verandahs, thick stone walls, and internal courtyards once shaded by chikoo and neem trees. Its iconic Hathi Dwar—commissioned by Rajmata Gajra Devi for her son’s janeyu—still stands as a ceremonial threshold into a space where elephants were paraded and dignitaries received.

The Rawala was not just a home but a seat of governance, ritual, and agrarian management. Mango orchards, horses, and elephants formed part of the daily rhythm, while a private temple within the palace echoed the family’s spiritual convictions. Over time, the Rawala witnessed colonial shifts, political alliances, and urban encroachment. Yet, it remains a living palace, preserved and inhabited by the descendants of the Mandloi-Zamindar lineage—unlike the more touristic Rajwada Palace, which came later under the Holkars.

Today, Bada Rawala quietly continues its legacy. The palace hosts rituals such as Indore’s Foundation Day and Dussehra Pujan, where its right to perform the first ceremonial worship is still recognised—a tradition stemming from its role as Indore’s first ruling house.

The Bada Rawala remains under the custodianship of the Mandloi descendants (the Zamindar family). Indore’s Foundation Day (Sthapna Diwas) celebrations are often held at Bada Rawala, on March 3 each year. This date commemorates Rao Nandlal’s founding of the city in 1716, and the fact that the tradition is kept at Bada Rawala underscores the site’s foundational importance. During such events, the architecture itself becomes a backdrop for cultural programs – a living monument where history is retold. The Bada Rawala Palace’s long continuity is also evident in the list of luminaries it has hosted over time. As noted, figures from Swami Vivekananda to local freedom fighters have walked its halls, and even into the 21st century it serves as a venue for heritage walks, exhibitions, and educational tours for those interested in Indore’s past.