Mustafa Castle, Meerut

Mustafa Castle, located in Meerut's Sadar Bazaar, is a historic heritage building built between 1896/1897 and 1900 by Nawab Mohammad Ishaq Khan in memory of his father, the renowned Urdu and Persian poet Nawab Mustafa Khan Shefta. Spread over approximately 30 acres of land, the Castle combines cultural significance with a rich legacy of pre-independence political discourse and intellectual heritage. Its unique architecture blends elements of a British bungalow with Rajasthani and Lucknowi design influences, reflecting the diverse tastes of its patrons and the cultural mix of the wealthy in northern India during the late 19th century.

Mustafa Castle is a unique architectural landmark that showcases a blend of Indo-Islamic, Rajasthani, Lucknowi and colonial British bungalow design traditions. Commissioned by Nawab Mohammed Ishaq Khan, he designed it with experienced builders who had worked on British military barracks. Built of heavy-duty bricks with traditional lime mortar and using the construction techniques of the time, the palace displays a combination of ornamental windows, arched corridors and large verandas.

Its architectural intent was both monumental and livable, a symbol of cultural fusion and family prestige. The decor includes imported furniture, chandeliers and carved woodwork, while the selective use of Mecca clay in the mortar adds depth to the decor.

• Main residential palace structure
• Grand ornate entrance gate
• Courtyards and verandas
• Colour‑named chambers (Basanti, Gulabi)

• The castle was deliberately constructed over the very jail cell where Nawab Mustafa Khan Shefta was imprisoned after the 1857 uprising, preserved in its original form.
• Different styles of architecture have been mixed in the construction of the palace and art and artifacts have been imported from London to display them with pride.
• The palace shares major features with the buildings of Rajasthan and Awadh and it is said that clay from Mecca was used in the construction process.
• In the palace you can find some of the rare artifacts of earlier times which are well preserved such as pendulum clocks, ornately designed lamps, antique chandeliers, carved wooden cabinets and various historical paintings.
• Some of the originality retained in the palace includes furniture imported from London by Nawab Mohammad Ishaq Khan in various showpieces which Mustafa Castle proudly displays.
• Mustafa Castle has many rooms which are named after the colors 'Basanti', 'Pink' etc.

📅 Last update: 2026-01-26 || ✍ Author: Sandhya Chauhan

Meet Sandhya, exploring India with curiosity and wonder. She shares info and tips in simple language, inviting you to join the journey. She is graduated in tourism and writes about the places of India.