Raja Mahal Orchha (Part 2) – The Great Palace
  • 16 years ago
Raja Mahal in Orchha in Madhya Pradesh is a true example of the magnificent Mughal architecture. The great ruler Raja Rudra Pratap initiated the construction of this majestic palace. However he couldn't complete the construction during his life tenure. He died in the year 1531 leaving the palace incomplete. After that, his son Bharti Chand took over the construction and he was able to complete the front and the main part of the palace. He also couldn't complete the construction. Some years after his death, an Orchha ruler Madhukar Shah gave the final touch to the palace.

The Palace has two major sections that are worth a look. They are the Durbar-e-Khas and the Diwan-i-Am.

The Durbar Hall or the Durbar-e-Khas is on the first floor of the Mahal. Battlement walls of high altitude surround it. The Durbar Hall is very well bastioned. Right over it, there are a number of musket holes from which the enemies were shot at.

The Diwan-i-Am was actually an assembly hall. In this hall, the king used to have group meetings with his council of ministers. This hall has 3 platforms. The ceiling of this hall is decorated with various paintings that belong to the Mughal as well as the Bundela School of art.
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