STATE PROTECTED MONUMENTS OF ORCHA

Orchha is famous for the Bundela style of architecture which is considered by historian to be one of the mature manifestations of the amalgamation of the Mugal and the Rajput styles of architecture.The Bundela style is marked by its rectangular form of place relieved often by circular towerat the corners surmounted by chhatris. The medieval city of Orchha, in the state of Madhya Pradesh, seems to have frozen in time, its palaces and temples still retaining their original grandeur. Orchha had the distribution of being the capital of one of the largest and most powerful kingdoms of Central India. The Bundela Rajput chieftain, Rudra Pratap, founded the city, located by the side of the beautiful Betwa River, in the 16th century. The word Orchha means 'hidden'. When the Tughlaqs, who were ruling Delhi in the 15th century, pushed the Bundelkhand rajas out of Garkhundar, they retreated to distant Orchha.         In the part of Central India known as Bundelkhand the monuments of Orchha stand testimony to the gran­deur of the Bundela style of architecture. The earliest buildings in Orchha were established on an island of rock surrounded in a loop by the river Betwa, the approach being provided by a many arched bridge. Nature has endowed the town with a serene environment with the river and resplendent forest and vegetation providing a fascinating backdrop. The Bundela style evolved from an initiative taken by Rana Kumbha (1428-68) in the palace of his capital Chittorgarh. The later buildings at Chanderi and Orchha were further steps in the same direction. This style may be defined as based on the contemporary productions of the Muslims as these evolved under the Sultans of Delhi, but overlaid with elements of indigenous Indian extraction to suit the taste, mode of living and traditions of the Rajput rulers. Places of interest JAHANGIR MAHAL (JAHANGIR PALACE) This castellated palace was built by Raja Bir Singh Deo I (1605-26) and named after his contemporary and patron, the Mughal emperor Jahangir. Bir Singh represented the Bundela dynasty at the height of its power. This palace covers a square of two hundred and twenty feet side rises up into an immense rectangular mass support­ing eight beautiful domes. The entire interior is arranged around a square courtyard. Three stories of rooms and terraces enclose this inner courtyard giving the building its unique architectural appearance. Each element of design-rooms, ter­races, corridors, court, hall and passage had its specific use, but the artistic treatment of these architectural devices lends an innate charm to the building. This palace was the precursor to another palace built by Raja Bir Singh Deo at Datia, started in the year 1620. According to Percy Brown, visitors cannot fail to observe a certain resemblance between these palaces of Central India and the famous chateaux of the Loire in Central France.     RAMA RAJA MANDIR (RAMA RAJA TEMPLE) It is presumed to have been inspired by the Kushak Mahal at nearby Chanderi. built a century earlier by Mahmud Shah Khilji of Malwa. The building which is of religious importance now was built by Madhukar Shah (1554-92) as a palace for the Queen. It consists of a central rectangular courtyard around which apartments arise surrounded by a high retaining wall. There is a widely current legend that the Queen's Palace was con­verted into a temple after Lord Rama decided to make it His abode after he had been brought to Orchha by Queen Ganesh Kunwari.     CHATURBHUJ MANDIR (CHATRUBHUJ TEMPLE) This temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu's four armed reincarnation (Chaturbhuj). The temple plan is a combination of temple and palace architecture. Built by Bir Singh Deo I (1605-26) the temple rises in a huge stone pedestal fifteen feet high. The sanctum is star-shaped. The central part of the temple rises to four storeys with three arched opening in each storey. except the third. which has false arched niches. It has the facade of the usual Bundela palace. From the top of the Chaturbhuj Temple are seen the Rama Raja Temple, Nau Chowk, or the courtyard surrounded by nine palaces as well as the Sawan-Bhadon (wind catchers).     CHHATRIES (CENTOPAHS) The tradition of constructing chhatnes (cenotaphs) in the memory of late rulers and nQblemen is also articulated in Orchha. Except for Bir Singh Deo's cenotaph which is in the shape of a palace, all other ceno­taphs are in the form of temples, Bir Singh'S cenotaph is located in the flow of the river Betwa and gets encircled by the river during the monsoon. The main structure of the chhatries are designed to serve as a site for the 5hraddha ceremony. Apart from Hie central mausoleum there is usually a secondary structure which is the funerary mound     PHUL BAGH PALACE AND THE WIND TOWERS Phul Bagh was laid out by Madhukar Shah ( 1554-92) who erected many other civic buildings in Orchho. II was laid out in the Mughal style, enclosed by a high wall. The palace built at one end of the garden looks out upon the Rama Raja Temple. The large basement of the Phul Bagh Palace is cooled by a system of air circula­tion through two adjoining wind-catching towers called 'Dastagirs'. They are perhaps the only example of the Persian system of cooling in India.   GATES AND GATEWAYS Magnificent gates and gateways are an intergral part of the Medieval Indian architecture. They were erected to commemorate victories and conquests, as entrance to fortifiled towns or their core area and often just as architectural embellishments and landmarks. There are many such gates in Orchha. The most important among them is the Royal Gate (not in picture) which is located to the north-west of the Rai Praveen Mahal. Places of interest Raj Mahal Raj Praveen Mahal Laxmi Narayan Temple Dinman Hardaul's Palace Sunder Mahal Shahid Smarak Top of the page   JUJHAR SINGH PALACE This palace was constructed by Maharaja Virsingh Bundela (1605­-1627 AD.). It is said that King Vir Singh built 9 palaces for his sons called Nauchauki. Jujharsingh palace is one of them. The three storied palace is built in rectangular plan, having a large hall and rectangular rooms on the ground floor. There are three-square rooms topped with ribbed domes on the upper storey. The designs of the inverted lotus and lotus shaped fots on the domes are typical features of the Bundela style of architecture. RAMA TEMPLE This temple is originally a palace, which was constructed by the Bundela king Bharti Chand (I531-1554AD.), the first king of Orchha. During the time of King Madhuker Shah ( 1554-1592 AD.), it was the residence of his queen Ganesh Kunwari. She was an ardent devotee of Lord Rama and had brought an idol of Lord Rama from Ayodhya. Though King Madukar Shah was constructing a large temple for Lord Rama, but due to Mughal invasion it (Chaturbhij temple) could not be completed and the king's son Horaldev even died in the battle with the Mughals . As a result, the queen installed the idol of lord Rama in her palace. It ceased to be a palace and started being regarded as a temple. Though it was built in 16th century A D. but rooms topped with domes at the upper part, the outer part of the entrance and the inner verandahs were built later in 17th century A.D .. The upper part was constructed by Virsinghdev Bundela( 1605-1627 AD.) PHOOLBAGH  PALACE The Phool Bagh , as it implies is a flower garden containing a palace, named after it. King Virsinghdev Bundela(l605-1627 A.D.) built this garden and palace. The palace has a pillared hall on the ground floor in fornt of which decorated fountain were built, and squarish large rooms topped with ribbed dome on the first floor. The peacock shaped brackets, pillars, ribbed dome and niches are typical of Bundeli architectural style. Below the main building is an extensive Thakhana (basement) for use in hot weather ventilated by two tall shafts which are perforated to provide for ventilation and cooling. These shafts are potently known as 'Sawan' and 'Bhado. PALAKI  MAHAL The palace located in front of Hardaul Bathaka (Seat) is called Palaki Mahal due to its large palanquin roof It was built by King Virsingh Bundela (1605-1627 AD.). The two storeyed palace built in rectangular plan consists of three arched door verandah, having rectangular rooms on both sides. Tile stone pillars and the first floor with palanquin roof were added in late 17th century, when the pavelion of Hardaul was constructed. SHIV TEMPLE This temple dedicated to Shiv, consists of garbhgrih and mandap in plan. Garbhgrih has panch-rathi astabhadra plan in outer elevation with vedibandh, jangha and shikhar of nagar style. The temple was built with bricks and lime mortar and plastered with a thick coat of lime and is as originally painted in ochre colour. There are some interesting paintings in the ceiling of garbhgrih and mandap. lt can be dated to 17th century AD. on the basis of its architectural features. The Shivling and images of shiv have been shifted to Ram Raja temple. PANCHMUKHI  MAHADEV  MANDIR The Panch Mukhi Mahadev Mandir is located inside a fortified square courtyard. The temple facing west, consists of garbhgrih and mandap in plan. In elevation it has vedivandh, Jangha and Nagar shikhar (spire). On the basis of its architectural features, it can be dated to 17th century A D . The temple architecture is representative of the astabhadra (octagonal) plan of Bhurnij style and urushranga shikhar of Khajuarho style used in Orchha temple under the patronage of King Virsinghdev Bundela This style later became the typical style of the Bundelas. Two other temples of same plan and an eight pillared chhatri in the campus have beautiful paintings of ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu and other mythological stories. RADHlKA VlHARI TEMPLE This temple dedicated to Radhika vihari, was constructed by Maharaja Vir Singh (1605-1627 A.D.). The temple facing east consists of garbhgrih, antaral and mandap in plan and Vedivandh, Jangha and large Nagar shikhar in elevation. The mandap is topped with ribbed dome. In outer elevation the garbhgrih has panchrathi projections and spire decorated with urushrangas of Khajuraho style. Square sanctum has arched niches on walls. Stone door jamb of entrance is carved with Ganesh at lintel and dwarpals (doorkeepers) at the lower part of jamb. Antaral also has stone door jamb with carved Ganesh and doorkeepers on their usual places. Though the mandap is rectangular, but square part in the middle has a large dome at top with kiosks at each comer topped with Nagar spires. A hexagonal kiosk also rests above the dome in place of the usual kalash. There are other dome like kiosks based on four stone pillars in the middle of the large dome. This beautiful temple is the one of the best specimen of Bundeli architecture. VANVASI  RAM  MANDIR This temple, dedicated to Lord Rama, was constructed during the time of King Vir Singh Bundela (1605-1627 A.D.). The temple facing east consists of square sanctum and rectangular antaral having niches and ventilations on the walls inside garbhgrih. An image of Lord Rama from this temple was shined to the cell of Ram Raja temple.   In elevation temple has vedivandha, Jangha and curvilior nagar Shikhar in the astbhadra (octagonal) Bhumija style of temple architecture. The spire has urushrangas and the pinnacle has amalak and kalash. YAGYASHALA It is a square structure in sarvalobhadra slyle, having a fortified courtyard, arched doors in all four directions and is lopped with a large dome. There are beautiful figures of Ganesh, Kartikey, Hnuaman, Shiv and Nandi. There are small kiosks at each comer of the dome. Stylistically it can be dated to 171h century AD. SIDDH BABA Kl GUFA This  an east facing structure built on square plan with bricks and lime mortar. The three storeyed building has a square courtyard surrounded by rectangular chambers, having small arched doors. It was used as a residence of shaiva saints and has been named as cave due its small doors and basements. North- Western parts of this building are in ruins but the rest is intact. It can be dated to 16th century AD. DASIYON KA MAHAL This squarish building of 171h century AD. is  basically a palace. The storeyed palace has a square courtyard andiss surrounded by rectangular verandah and square rooms at each comer topped with ribbed dome. The South eastern and Northern verandahs are in ruins. Only three domes are intact. There are decorated niches on outer walls. It was used by the female servants of the king and hence was called Dasiyon Ka Mahal. CENOTAPH OF KING BHARTI CHANDRA The first Bundela king of Orchha, Bharati Chandra (1531-1554 AD.) died in 1554 AD and was succeeded by his younger brother Madhukar Shah (1554-1592 AD.), who built this cenotaph. It is square in plan and built in two stages. Domes were added in 17th century AD. and beautiful paintings were done under the chhaja. It has also inscriptions dated V.S. 1732, (1675 AD.), 1735 (1678 AD.) 1740 (1683 AD.) below the Chhaja between brackets. Cenotaph has square sanctum surrounded by rectangular passage having arched doors. At the top each comer has a square room topped with domes and a large dome at middle. This cenotaph is one of the early examples of Bundela cenotaph architecture. CENOTAPH OF MAHARAJA SUJAN SINGH , King Sujan Singh succeeded his father Pahad Singh in 1653 A.D. and died in 1672 without any issue. His younger brother Indramani succeeded him and started to construct this cenotaph but it was completed later by Jaswant Singh (1675-1684 A.D.) It is the earliest cenotaph of this campus, which shows the developed stage of Bundela cenotaph architecture. It has a square plan, having square sanctum at middle and surrounded by rectangular chambers with three arched doors towards the courtyard. Each comer has a square rooms connected with the rectangular chambers. Sanctum has four arched doors in each direction leading on to the outer chambers. Three storeyed sanctum has Nagar style spire but each comer has domes above square rooms. The profuse decoration of the cenotaph is typical of Bundela architecture. CENOTAPH OF MAHARAJA INDRAMANI King Sujan Singh was succeeded by his younger brother Indramani in 1672, who died in 1675 A.D. His son Jasawanl Singh succeeded him. He constructed this cenotaph in 1675 A.D. This cenotaph is located at the south west comer in the campus. This three storeyed structure is built in square plan, having square sanctum surrounded by rectangular chambers with three arched doors and each comer has a square room connecting to the verandah on both sides. Sanctum has large Nagar style spire and at each comer square rooms topped with domes depicting the panchayatan style. The outer niches carved arched doors, profusely of lotus of lotus designs in the decoration of cenotaph depicts the developed phase of Bundela architecture . CENOTAPH OF JASHWANT SINGH King Indramani was succeeded by his son Jashawant Singh, who ruled at Orchha from 1675 AD. to 1684 AD . Mughal emperor Aurangzeb granted him khillat in 1683 AD . He died in 1684 and was succeeded by his minor son Bhagawant Singh. This cenotaph was constructed by his mother Amar Kunwari in 1684. The cenotaph located to the north east corner in the fortified campus has a square sanctum with arched doorways in each direction in sarvatobhadra style and surrounded by rectangular passage, having three arched doors towards the courtyard with each comer having square rooms connected to the passage on both sides. The three storeyed structure has a large spire of Nagar style in th middle and each comer square rooms is surmounted with decorated dome making it an example of the panchayatan style. The decoration of the shikhar, inverted lotus at top of domes octagonal base and kalash, niches and arched doors are again typical of the Bundeli architectural style. CENOTAPH OF MAHARAJA BHAGAWANT SINGH King Jasawant Singh died in 1684 AD. and was succeeded by his minor son Bhagawant Singh. The maharani Amar Kanwari became the regent. After the death of Bhagawant Singh the Maharani adopted Udot singh who belonged to Hardaul's branch of the family in 1689 Ad. Udot Singh constructed this cenotaph in 1689 A.D. This cenotaph is located in the middle of the eastern side in the campus and is square in plan, having square sanctum with arched doorways on four sides, a rectangular passage and comer square rooms connected with the passage on both side. The three storeyed cenotaph has a large Nagar style spire at top and each comer square room is topped with dome making it an example of the panchayatan style. The spire has jangha and Chhajja below the Nagar shishars. The decoration of the domes, spire, niches and gales are in typical Bundela style. CENOTAPH OF MAHARAJA PRATHVI SINGH Prathvi Singh succeeded his grandfather Maharaja Udot Singh in 1736 AD .. He established a village named Prathvipur. The alteration and decoration work of Laksmi temple was done during his rule. He was succeeded by his grandson Sawant Singh in 1752 AD. who built this cenotaph. The cenotaph consists of a square Garbhgrah (sanctum) and rectangular mandap in plan. The garbhgrh has arched niches and false doors on walls. There are sloping ventilators above multifoiled arches inside the sanctum. Mandap has three arched doors. This is a two storeyed structure in elevation, having a dome at top and kiosk at each comer topped with Nagar style spires example of elephant back shaped roofs as well as palanquin roofs are found in this specimen of Bundela architecture. CENOTAPH OF BANKA UMED SINGH Banka Umed Singh was the landlord of Banka pahadi and kiledar of Orchha fort who died in V.S. 180 I (1742 AD.) at Orchha He was a descendant of Haradaul and a son of Rai Singh (a brother of Maharaja Udotsingh). This cenotaph was constructed in 1742 AD. during the time of king Prathvi singh (1736-1752 AD.). 11 has a square sanctum and rectangular mandap, having three arched doors. Sanctum has an image of Umed Singh with his consort fixed on the back wall. An inscription of three lines carved on the canopy of image mentions V.S. 1801 (A.D. 1742). The Sanctum is topped with a small dome. KALYAN RAI TEMPLE This temple facing east belongs to 17th cent AD. and consists of garbhrah, antaral and mandap in plan. In elevation it has Vedibandh, Jangha and Nagar style shikhar as well as Panchrathi jangha and shikhar in the outer elevation. Shikhar has Urushamgas on each projection. The square sanctum has niches and pediments on the wall. Decorated stone door jemb is provided in the antaral and garbhgrah. Mandap has chaitya style ceiling but grabhgrah and antaral have lotus designs on ceilings. The images of Radha-Krishna were installed in this temple in V.S. 1795 (I738 AD.) by Kalyan Raiji. CENOTAPH OF KING SAWANT SINGH   Maharaja Prathvi Singh (I736-1753 AD.) had a son named Puran Singh who died during Lion hunting. His son Sawant Singh succeeded his grandfather in 1752 AD. and ruled at Orchha upto 1765AD. King Sa\l'ant Singh received a royal banner and title of "Mahaendra" form Mughal Emperor Shall Alam. This cenotaph was constructed by King Het Singh after his father’s death in 1765 A D. It is located in the south eastern comer of the campus. It is different from cenotaphs in shape and size. II is square in plan, having square sanctum surrounded by passage, which is decorated beautifully with paintings. The construction of spire, domes, kiosks and other parts of the cenotaph are good example of Bundela architectural style. NONE JU  KI  HAVELI Haveli of None Shah is situated behind the Irrigation rest house and on the by pass road. None Shah was the governor of king Virsingh Bundela (1605-1627 AD.) and belong to the Bar Gujar clan. The haveli was built in 17th century, having a square plan and a three storeyed entrance towards north. The courtyard was surrounded by rectangular rooms and verandahs, while the entrance has an interesting palanquin roof which was typical of many of the havelis of Rajsthan & Gujarat.