Mandu's Baobab Trees and Khurasani Imli, Mandu: What to buy and visitor guide

History and context

The story behind Mandu's Baobab Trees and Khurasani Imli

The baobab (Adansonia digitata) is native to Africa and is believed to have been introduced to Mandu about six centuries ago by Afghan and Arab traders. Officials estimate more than 1,000 trees in the area. The fruit, known locally as Khurasani imli or Mandu ki imli, received a geographical indication tag, as reported in mid-2026.

Exact dates of the introduction are traditional rather than documented.

Useful facts

Mandu's Baobab Trees and Khurasani Imli facts at a glance

Location

Around Mandu village and the monuments

Experience type

Trees and local fruit stalls

Known for

Bottle-shaped trunks and tangy fruit pulp

Local names

Khurasani imli, Mandu ki imli

Price signal

Small purchases; negotiate and check labelling

Recognition

GI tag reported in 2026

Why it matters

Why Mandu's Baobab Trees and Khurasani Imli is worth your time

The baobab is an African tree, and its presence in Mandu is a quiet sign of the trade routes that once ran through the Malwa plateau. It is believed to have arrived around six centuries ago with Afghan and Arab traders, and it has since become part of the local landscape and economy. For many tribal families, the fruit is a source of seasonal income.

For travellers the trees offer something unusual: a living link to the sultanate era that is not a ruin. The fruit and juice are small purchases, but they support local vendors directly. A recent geographical indication tag for Khurasani imli gives the product formal recognition. It is a modest, honest souvenir and an easy way to put money into the village.

Highlights

What not to miss

1. 01

   The trees

   Look for swollen trunks and sparse crowns near the village and ruins.

2. 02

   The fruit

   Pods hold a pale, sharp-sweet pulp that is sold whole or as juice.

3. 03

   Local vendors

   Buying here supports tribal families who gather the fruit.

Plan your visit

How to experience it

Start by looking for the trees. The baobab has a wide, swollen trunk that tapers upward and a sparse crown of branches, and it is easy to spot among the ruins. Mandu has more than a thousand of them, according to officials, which makes it one of the largest naturally occurring populations in India. Stop at one or two to look at the bark and trunk, but do not climb or carve them.

The fruit is a woody pod with a dry, pale pulp that tastes sharp and slightly sweet. Local vendors, many of them from tribal communities, sell the pods whole, and also the pulp and seeds. Ask what is on offer and what the price is before buying. Try a small amount of the pulp or a glass of juice if the stall looks clean.

A geographical indication tag for Khurasani imli was reported in 2026, which may increase the number of labelled products on sale. For gifts, look for the vendor's stall near the monument entrances and agree the price before you pay.

Know before you go

Timing, access and comfort

Area

Around Mandu village and the monuments

Time needed

20 to 40 minutes

Best time

Any time; fruit stalls are most active in the cooler months

Walking level

Easy

Senior comfort

Easy and level. Stalls cluster around the main monuments, so you can browse from a seat or from the car. There is no climbing involved.

Tickets and access

Free to look at the trees. Prices at stalls are informal and negotiable; check any packaged product for labelling. Fruit and juice should be bought from clean stalls, and visitors with digestive sensitivities should be careful with unbottled juice.

Plan it with

FAQs