The building has many western elements, combining both Gothic and Islamic themes. Its repair began in 2016. The Shaukat Mahal is one of the many architectural treasures of Bhopal. It is situated right at the entrance of the Chowk area. The Mahal is a beautiful blend of both oriental and occidental styles of architecture. The Shaukat Mahal is an important building that was constructed during Sikander Begum’s tenure, the first female ruler of Bhopal. Kevin Standage notes that it was constructed in the 1830s as a wedding gift for Sikander Jahan Begum. It is a strange mixture of Indo-Islamic and European styles of architecture. It was designed by a Frenchman, a descendant of the Bourbon Kings of France.
