The cantonment town of Mhow was founded in 1818 by Sir John Malcolm following the Treaty of Mandsaur, after his forces defeated the Holkars at the Battle of Mahidpur. The Holkars subsequently shifted their capital from Maheshwar to Indore. The Mhow Fort was built in 1821, and the garrison was positioned to monitor the Princely States of Central India and Rajputana. Over time, Mhow evolved into a major Army Training Base of the British Indian Army. During the British Raj, it served as the Headquarters of the 5th Division of the Southern Army and was also an important Railway Division, a role it retained for several years after Independence before resources were moved to Ratlam and Ajmer.

Today, the cantonment spans approximately 15 sq km and has a population of nearly 100,000. It houses three major Army Training establishments: the Army War College (AWC), the Infantry School, and the Military College of Telecommunication Engineering (MCTE).

About 60 km from Mhow lies Mandu, a renowned monsoon resort celebrated for its lush green surroundings. Originally founded as a fortress in the 10th century by Raja Bhoj, it was later captured by the Delhi rulers in 1304, and eventually came under the Afghan governor Dilawar Khan and his son, Hoshang Shah, who shifted the capital to Mandu. In 1561, Akbar defeated Baz Bahadur, forcing him to flee and leaving Mandu to decline into a ghost city under the Marathas. Despite its decline, Mandu remains famous for its architectural marvels: the Jahaz Mahal, a ship-like palace flanked by lakes; the Hindola Mahal, with sloping walls that appear to sway; the imposing Jama Masjid (1454), one of India's finest examples of Afghan architecture; the marble Hoshang's Tomb (1435), which inspired the architects of the Taj Mahal; and Rupmati's Pavilion, forever linked to the tragic romance of Rupmati and Baz Bahadur.

• Defence Services Officers Mess & Institute (DSOMI) – The premier officers' club.
• Station Swimming Pool – A standard 50-metre pool.
• Berchha Watermanship Training Area (BWTA) – For sailing, boating, and kayaking.
• Mhow Environment Park & Training Area (MEPTA) – Includes an 18-hole golf course located in the Army War College campus.

• Hole No. 19 – The Woods Restaurant – A fine-dining venue with an exclusive lounge.
• Sainik Suvidha Parisar – Shopping complex.
• Sugrahini – Offers creative and educational courses for officers' wives.
• The Hub – An air-conditioned movie hall.
• Aashiana – A fine-dining facility with indoor, outdoor, and rooftop seating.
• Gyms – Well-equipped facilities for staff and students.
• Sports Complex – Includes squash, tennis, basketball, badminton, table tennis, football, and cricket.
• Combat Army Pre-Primary School (CAPPS) – Excellent kindergarten education.
• Combat Library – A hub for books, journals, and research papers, open to serving and retired defence personnel.

• Kalyani – Family Welfare Organisation (FWO) outlet near the Army War College CSD, known for handicrafts and fabrics.
• Garima – Similar outlet at MCTE.
• Manju's Shadow-work – Specialises in embroidered sarees and suits.

• 19th Hole – Multicuisine restaurant at the Golf Course.
• Aashiana – Offers exclusive restaurants and rooftop dining.
• Lehar Café – Located by Berchha Lake.
• Shangrilla – Dining facility in Infantry School.
• Milan – Poolside restaurant at MCTE.
• DSOMI – Dining facilities at the premier officers' club.

• College MI Room – With an RMO and ambulance facilities.
• Military Hospital (MH), Mhow – Staffed with specialists across disciplines.
• Dental Centre – Fully equipped, with a new MDC under construction.
• Type D ECHS Polyclinic – Located within MH premises.