 Orchha Fort Complex is consisted of several forts, temples, palaces and other monuments. It is located in the Orchha town of Tikamgarh District in Madhya Pradesh. The monuments in this complex were built by Bundela Rajputs during 16th century initially by King Rudra Pratap Singh of Orchha state and then by his followers.
History of Orchha Fort Complex The fort was built by Raja Rudra Pratap Singh in 1501 AD. Later, the fort was completed by the successive kings of Orchha state. Among all the palaces, Raja Mandir or Raja Mahal was built by Madhukar Shah; Jahangir Mahal and Sawan Bhadon Mahal were built during the reign of Vir Singh Deo. Monuments inside Orchha Fort Complex The palaces inside the fort complex are Raja Mahal or Raja Mandir, Sheesh Mahal, Jahangir Mahal, a temple, gardens and pavilions. The battlements of the fort have ornamentation. Remarkable architectural features in the fort complex are projected balconies, open flat areas and decorated latticed windows: Raja Mahal: Raja Mahal was used as the residing place of kings and queens till 1783, after which it was abandoned. The mahal was built in the early 16th century. The exterior of the palace is simple but the interior chambers are designed with royal architectural designs, decorated with murals of social and religious themes of God, mythical animals and people etc. The upper floor of the palace has traces of mirrors in the ceilings and walls. The interior walls of the Mahal have murals of Lord Vishnu. The palace has several secret passages.
 Sheesh Mahal: Sheesh Mahal is located on the other side of Raja Mahal, which has a royal accommodation. It was built by King Udait Singh. There is a grand hall inside the palace with high ceiling, which was used as the dining hall by the royal families. Sheesh Mahal has now been converted into a hotel.
Jahangir Mahal: Jahangir Palace was exclusively built by Bir Singh Deo in 1605 to honor the Mughal Emperor Jahangir. He was a guest of the Maharaja for one night. The palace is four storied with architectural features of both Muslim and Rajput architecture. Its layout is a symmetrical square built in the inner courtyard of the fort and has eight large domes. It has a plethora of rooms with arcaded openings, projecting platforms and windows with lattice design work. The palace also houses a small archaeological museum. Phool Bagh: It is a garden in the Orchha Fort Complex with a line of water fountains that terminates in a palace pavilion with eight pillars. Below this garden there is an underground structure which was used by the royal family as a cool summer retreat. This cooling system consists of water ventilation system that is linked to an underground palace with ‘Chandan Katora’, which is in the shape of a bowl from where fountains of droplets trickle through the roof creating rainfall. Visiting Information to Orchha Fort Complex Lalitpur Railway Station and Palera International Airport are the nearest to visit the Orchha Fort Complex. |
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