Burhanpur sits on the north bank of the Tapti river in the south-west corner of Madhya Pradesh, close to the Maharashtra border. It was founded in 1388 by the Faruqi sultans of Khandesh and named after a Sufi saint, Burhan-ud-Din. Akbar took it in 1601 and the city then became a Mughal base for campaigns in the Deccan, with Shah Jahan spending long periods here. Mumtaz Mahal died in Burhanpur in 1631, which is the reason for the city's slightly overstated reputation as the place where the Taj Mahal began.
The reality is subtler and, for many travellers, more interesting. Burhanpur has not been polished for tourism. The Shahi Qila is a ruined palace with a painted hammam and a living neighbourhood inside it. The Jama Masjid, finished in 1590, is a black-stone mosque in the middle of the market. The Kundi Bhandara, built in 1615 for Abdul Rahim Khan-i-Khanan, is an engineered chain of wells and tunnels that still helps supply the town. The Dargah-e-Hakimi draws Dawoodi Bohra pilgrims from around the world, and Gurdwara Bari Sangat holds a place in Sikh tradition.
A day and a half covers the town itself; add half a day for Asirgarh Fort, about 20 km away on the Khandwa side. Facilities are modest, signage is thin and some monuments are poorly kept, so go with a local driver or guide and keep expectations practical. It rewards travellers who like history without crowds, and it can work well as a stop on the road between Indore and the Ajanta–Ellora region, or between central and western India.
For older travellers the main issues are heat, uneven ground and the Asirgarh climb. The town sights are mostly flat, and a car can cover nearly everything. Travel between October and February, plan monuments for mornings and rest through the afternoon.
Before you plan
Burhanpur at a glance
- Best months
- November to February is the most…November to February is the most comfortable; October and March are workable. April to June is very hot and July to September is rainy.
- Ideal trip length
- 1.5 to 2 days for the town and…1.5 to 2 days for the town and Asirgarh Fort; one long day is possible if you start early
- Airport
- No commercial airport in the cityNo commercial airport in the city. Indore (IDR) is about 190 km away; Nagpur (NAG) is about 360 km. Jalgaon has a small domestic airport, so check current flights.
- Railway station
- BurhanpurBurhanpur (BAU) in Lalbagh, Central Railway, on the Jabalpur–Bhusaval line; several long-distance express trains stop here
- Getting around
- Autos and hired carsAutos and hired cars. A car with a driver is best for Asirgarh, Ahukhana and the Chhatri, which are outside the dense centre.
- Daily budget
- Roughly ₹1,500 to ₹3,500 per person…Roughly ₹1,500 to ₹3,500 per person per day excluding hotel, mostly for a car and meals; lower if you rely on autos
- Senior comfort
- Fair: town sights are mostly levelFair: town sights are mostly level, but ground is uneven, shade and seating are limited, and Asirgarh involves a climb
- Language
- Hindi, Marathi and Urdu are the main…Hindi, Marathi and Urdu are the main languages; English is understood in hotels but rarely at monuments
Prices, opening hours and weather change. Recheck live details before booking.
Best time to visit Burhanpur: January, February, November, December. Month-by-month weather →
How many days do you have?
Burhanpur itinerary
One good day
1 day in Burhanpur
Start at Asirgarh Fort in the cool of the morning and allow around two hours; go by car to the upper gate rather than walking. Return to town for lunch, then spend an hour at Jama Masjid in Gandhi Chowk. In the late afternoon visit the Shahi Qila and its hammam, then walk down to the Tapti ghats as the light drops. If you still have energy, end with mawa jalebi from a town-centre shop.
Day-by-day plan →Two days
2 days in Burhanpur
Begin at Jama Masjid and the lanes around Gandhi Chowk, then drive to the Shahi Qila for the hammam and the ramparts above the Tapti. Rest after lunch. In the late afternoon see the Tomb of Shah Nawaz Khan, often called the Black Taj, and end at the Tapti ghats for the evening river scene.
Day-by-day plan →Three unhurried days
3 days in Burhanpur
Spend the morning at Jama Masjid and the Shahi Qila, rest at midday, and visit the Tapti ghats at sunset. This gives you the core of the Faruqi and Mughal city at a gentle pace.
Day-by-day plan →
