The history of Jahaz Mahal is closely related to the rich history of Mandu itself. The main purpose behind building this imposing building was to comfortably accommodate all of the 15,000 women of Sultan Ghiyas-ud-din Khilji's royal women. However, Jahaz Mahal lost its original splendor after Ghiyas-ud-din Khilji's death. The last royal visit to the palace was paid by Mughal emperor Jahangir and his favorite wife Nur Jahan in 1617, who described the experience as "a wonderful assembly."

The splendid architecture of Jahaz Mahal occupies an expense in the Mandu region of Madhya Pradesh. It was built during the reign of Mandu Sultan Ghiyas-ud-din Khilji, to accommodate the women belonging to the royal court. Jahaz Mahal was built in second half of the 15th century. Jahaz Mahal best captures the medieval history of Mundu. Here 'Jahaz' refers to a ship and 'Mahal' refers to a palace, which is a reflection of the edifice itself. Surrounded by pond water, it seems to be floating gently above the surface of the water. The architecture and structure of Jahaaz Mahal are both awe-inspiring and marvellous in terms of its engineering. Emulating the appearance of a mighty ship, the palace is an amalgam of Afghan, Mughal, Hindu and Mesopotamian architecture styles. It was built with a meticulous precision that followed acoustic water supply patterns, subtly reflecting the pond that lies overlooking the palace. The balconies are constructed in a way that amplifies sound such that reverberates through the entire body of Jahaz Mahal. The intricate carvings, precise engineering design and pristine beauty along with its close proximity to other tourist attractions such as Roopmati's Pavilion, Baz Bahadur's Palace, Hindola Mahal, Jain Temple, and Jami Masjid make it one of the most important tourist spots in the city.