Bhopal, April 18 -- Bhopal's historic palaces, mosques, and temples stand as testaments to a bygone era - but many of these heritage structures are quietly disintegrating, caught between nostalgia and neglect.
From the Gothic-Islamic fusion of Shaukat Mahal to the regal grandeur of the Taj Mahal Palace, Bhopal's architectural legacy is rich in stories, styles, and syncretism. Yet these same structures now bear the burden of time and indifference. Blackened walls, fallen plaster, broken cornices, and rooftop weeds speak not just of decay, but of disregard.
The Taj Mahal of Bhopal, built in the 19th century by Shah Jahan Begum, once dazzled with Italian marble, Belgian chandeliers, and gilded mirrors. Today, the sprawling palace lies locked...