Jahangir Mahal is a Very well laid out, ventilated and organized Sustainable Building.
Orchha is an emerald of Madhya Pradesh and has a proud to be the city of Rajputs. The town is situated Northern part of Central Indian in Madhya Pradesh state. Rudra Pratap Singh was a Bundela Ruler who initiated the construction of Orchha, during the medieval times of the 16th century, but couldn’t complete it as he had been killed while saving a cow from the clutches of a Tiger. As Rudra Pratap has no child so his younger brother Bharti Chand became king and continued the work. After Bharti Chand, the next king was his son Ram Shah (1592-1605). But turn around took place when Bir Singh Dev was declared as Maharaja of Orchha by Mughal Emperor Jahangir as he helped Jahangir during his revolt against Akbar. Just to give thanks to Jahangir, Bir Singh ordered to construct Jahangir Palace and later invited Jahangir to visit Orchha and stay here. The most dashing Bundela Ruler Bir Singh Deo built around 52 forts and other things across the region during his 22 years of odd age, in them famous were citadel of Jhansi, the rembling Narsingh Dev at Datia, apart from Sheesh Mahal, which is now converted into a Heritage Hotel.
Jahangir Mahal ARCHITECTURE
This palace was built by Raja Bir Singh Deo-1 between years 1605 to 1626. It was made in honour of Mughal emperor Jahangir. During that time Bundela rulers of Orchha maintains a good relationship with the Mughals. Here entire palace is constructed around a square-shaped courtyard with sides of 67.6 meters each. It is a three-storied palace built mainly with red and yellow sandstone and has 136 rooms decorated with wall paintings. Being constructed to resemble the good relationship of Bundelas (Hindus) with Mughals (Muslims) here we can identify the confluence of both Hindu and Islamic architectures like in domes, rooms, entrance gates, terraces, corridors. It is a Percy-brown monument covering a square of 220 feet side and rising into an immense rectangular mass supporting 8 graceful domes. It encompasses all qualities that are expected in a medieval castle.
Palace is built on the bank of Betwa river with the surrounding green forest offering picturesque and romantic surrounding views. The presence of elephant images and paintings inside rooms gives a touch of Hindu architecture in the building. Being palace there is a camel stable. Although the whole building is dedicated to Jahangir and Raja Bir Singh Deo friendship when Jahangir came here, he stayed here for just one night.
Tags: Jahangir Mahal, Sustainable Building, Orchha, Heritage Hotel.
