STATE PROTECTED MONUMENTS OF DATIA

The eventful history of Datia is full of legends.It is said that the region of Datia was under the domain of Nandas of Pataliputra. Datia lies on the track from Gwalior to Jhansi. In fact it is closer to Jhansi, which is in Uttar Pradesh, than to Gwalior. 26km to the north of Jhansi is the small palace town founded by the Bundela chief Raj Bir Singh Deo. Bir Singh supported Prince Salim (later Emperor Jahangir) when he rebelled against his father, the Mughal Emperor Akbar (see Orchha for details). The palaces at Datia and Orchha are the best surviving examples of a style of architecture that arose in the late 16th and early 17th centuries in the Bundelkhand area under the reign of the Bundela Rajputs.   The eventful history of Datia is full of legends. It is said that the region of Datia was under the domain of Nandas of Pataliputra. The Ashokan inscription in the region also testifies to the region being part of the Mauryan empire. In the 1st cent. A.D. it came under the Naga kings. From 8—10th cent. AD. It was part of the Pratihara kingdom of Kannauj. There after between 12· -14th cent. A.D. the region saw many wars for its control between Rajputs and the Muslim dynasties. Finally in the 16·cent.AD. it came under the influence of the Bundela dynasty of Orchha. Most of the architectural contribution in Datia is attributed to Bir Singh Deo, who got many important buildings (including his famous palace) constructed and developed a township here. Some of the chhatris and temples were also constructed during this time. The chhatri complex has three main enclosures and many structures bringing to the royal family are scattered around, mostly on the eastern side of the lake. The main chhatris in the enclosed compounds are of the bundela kings namely Parikshit, Vira Bahadur and Bhawani Singh (1789). Most of the buildings inside are made of lakhori bricks with lime mortar & plaster finish. The roof is made in the typical shikhar form resembling the regional temple style. Some of the chhatris were taken up for restoration under the 11· Finance Commission Heritage Protection Project. CHHATRI OF RAJA PARIKSHIT Maharaja Parikshit ruled Dalia from 1801 A.D. to 1839 A.D. The chhatri was built in 1858A.D. Situated in the courtyard the chhatri is square. There is garbhagriha in the middle with an ambulatory passage around it. The arched doors around the garbhagriha open into the ambulatory passage. Its ceiling and walls are decorated with beautiful paintings. Its shikhar is dome shaped and the roof of the entrance gate resembles a palanquin. CHHATRI OF MAHARAJA INDRAJEET Maharaja Indrajeet Bundela ruled Datia from 1736 A.D. to 1762 A.D. He succeeded his grand father Ramchandra. Indrajeet Bundela died in 1762 A.D. and his son and successor Shatrujit built the chhatri. The chhatri is raised on a platform in the courtyard with three arched open gateways. There is one door each on the arches. Its shikhar is dome-shaped having lotus decoration. There are mini chhatris on all four comers. These mini chhatris have eight facets and their domes are oval-shaped. Made of bricks, lime and its ingredients the chhatri has ten stairs. CHHATRI OF MAHARAJA BHAWANI SINGH Maharaja Bhawani Singh, the adoptive son of Datia's ruler Vijaj Bahadur ruled from 1857 A.D. to 1907 A.D. until he got the powers of the ruler after attaining majority, the eldest queen was his patron and she supported the British. Maharaja Bhawani Singh died on August4. 1907. His son and successor Govind Singh built the chhatri during early years of his rule. He was a patron of fine arts and his rule is called the golden period in the history of Datia state. CHHATRI OF MAHARAJA SHUBHKARNA Shubhkarna was the son of Bhagwanrao Bundela. the founder of Datia state. He ruled from 1640 A.D. to 1678 A.D. He participated in many battles from Mughal side. He died in 1678 A.D. at Bahadurgarh at the age of 53 due to illness. The chhatri was built on a platform on the bank of Karan Sagar in the later part of the 18- century A.D. There is an ambulatory passage around the garbhagriha. The ceiling of the chhalri is apsidal and the shikhar is high. There are mini chhatris around the shikhar. It was built of bricks. lime and their ingredients.   Top of the page