The palace is located inside the Gwalior Fort, which is perched on a hilltop overlooking the city. The palace has a rectangular plan, with two open courtyards surrounded by apartments on two floors. The palace has four towers at the corners, which are decorated with blue, yellow and green tiles depicting various animals and birds. The palace complex consists of multiple courtyards, rooms, and galleries interconnected by narrow and winding passages. This labyrinthine layout was designed to confuse and deter potential attackers. Man Singh Palace possesses large chambers which were music halls at one time and still exhibit their past glory. Among the several chambers, the Chitrashala (picture gallery) grabs the attention. It has walls covered with paintings depicting scenes from Hindu mythology, court life, hunting, music and dance. The palace features intricate carvings and decorative elements on its sandstone facades. The exterior walls of the palace are adorned with exquisite carvings of animals, flowers, human figures and geometrical patterns. The use of ‘jali’ work (lattice screens), ‘chhatris’ (pavilions), and ‘chhajjas’ (projecting eaves) is notable.
Within the Man Singh Palace complex, there is a prominent water tank called Suraj Kund (Sun Tank), which is believed to have been constructed for Queen Mrignayani, the wife of Raja Mansingh. It also has a Jauhar Kund, where the royal women committed self-immolation when the fort was attacked by the Islamic invaders. Adjacent to the Man Singh Palace is located the Gujari Mahal, which was built by Raja Man Singh for his beloved queen. This palace reflects Rajput architecture and is now a museum showcasing archaeological artifacts.
There is an artificial garden, called the Phool Bagh (flower garden), within the palace complex. It is equipped with an artificial garden with fountains, water channels, tanks and pavilions. The garden was designed to create a pleasant atmosphere for the king and his guests.
The palace has four gates – Hathi Pol, Badalgarh Pol, Chhatri Pol & Ganesh Pol. The Hathi Pol leads to a large hall called the Jaleb Chowk, which was used for public ceremonies and receptions. The hall has a vaulted ceiling supported by carved pillars and arches. The Jaleb Chowk leads to another hall called the Diwan-i-Aam (hall of public audience), which has a similar design as the Jaleb Chowk. The Diwan-i-Aam has a throne room where the king used to hold court and receive visitors. The throne room has a beautiful painted ceiling depicting scenes from Hindu epics and legends. The palace complex houses two basement floors with circular cells. These cells served as prisons. It was the place where Aurangzeb had imprisoned & murdered his brother Murad.
The palace has intricate carvings, arches, domes, balconies and windows. The walls are adorned with colourful paintings depicting scenes from Hindu scriptures, legends and history. Some of the paintings are still visible today, despite the damage caused by time and invaders. The walls of the palace are decorated with glazed tiles too. The tiles depict scenes from Hindu mythology, such as the Dashavatar (ten incarnations of Vishnu), Ramayana and Mahabharata. The miniature works on the walls and pillars of the palace attracted Akbar and he imitated the style in Fatehpur Sikri near Agra.
The palace was also a centre of culture and learning, as Raja Man Singh was a patron of music and art. He invited many talented musicians, poets and artists to his court. The palace is also renowned for its association with Tansen, one of the greatest musicians in Indian history. Tansen was one of the nine gems (navaratnas) in the court of Akbar. He is believed to have lived and composed music in this palace during the reign of Raja Man Singh Tomar. The palace has several chambers where musical concerts were held, and where the royal ladies enjoyed the melodies.
Man Singh Palace is one of the most magnificent and well-preserved monuments in the Gwalior Fort complex. The palace is a must-visit for anyone who wants to witness the splendour and sophistication of medieval India. The palace is also a part of the sound and light show that is organized every evening at the Gwalior Fort, narrating the history and stories of the fort and its rulers.