Orchha, a hidden gem at a stone’s throw distance of only 16kms outskirts of the historic city of Jhansi is a quaint picturesque town situated on the banks of the River Betwa. It was founded in the 16th century A.D. by Rudra Pratap Singh, the Rajput rulers of the Bundela Dynasty who ruled over the district of Bundelkhand. Orchha used to be the capital and main center of the mighty Bundela dynasty during the 15-16th centuries.
Under Raja Rudra Pratap Singh’s rule, Orchha flourished as a golden empire. Multiple grand palaces and several other magnificent structures, including temples, gardens, and bathhouses were built including the Jahangir Mahal, a magnificent palace built in honor of Emperor Jahangir. Orchha became a hub of art, culture, and spirituality, attracting scholars, artists, and pilgrims from far and wide.
However, the golden era was relatively short-lived. In 1635, the Mughals attacked Orchha and Emperor Jahangir laid siege to the town, causing much destruction and chaos. The town was ransacked, and many of its buildings were left in ruins.
Despite the devastation caused by the Mughal invasion, Orchha’s resilience under the rule of Raja Indramani, made the town rise again, to become a bustling hub of trade and commerce. Many of the town’s buildings were reconstructed and renovated. Several new temples, including the Laxmi Narayan Temple, which is still considered one of the finest examples of Hindu architecture in the region were built.
Orchha saw a revival of its cultural and spiritual significance, as travellers once again flocked to the town from far and wide to marvel at its stunning temples and palaces. It became a place of pilgrimage for Hindus and a center of learning for scholars and mystics. One of the most striking features of Orchha is its temples, which are a fusion of Hindu and Islamic architecture.
Present-day Orchha is a quiet and peaceful town surrounded by rolling hills and lush forests. It offers a glimpse into India’s rich past and serves as a testament to the resilience of its people and their cultural heritage. Whether you’re a history buff or just looking for a peaceful getaway, Orchha is definitely worth a visit.
Main Places to visit:
– Orchha Fort (Raja Mahal, Jahangir Mahal, Rai Parveen Mahal etc)
– Ram Raja Mandir
– Chaturbhuj Temple
– Laxmi Narayan Temple
– Chhatris or Cenotaphs

Let’s take a stroll down the historic Fort complex of Orchha. By the way did you know Orchha literally means ‘ A hidden Gem ‘ and truly it is.

Let’s start the journey with the Raja Mahal in this post

The Orchha Fort built in the year 1501 AD by Bundela Rajput King Raja Rudra Singh, exhibited the glory and prowess of the Bundela dynasty. The fort complex has many prominent landmarks like – Raja Mahal, Jahangir Mahal, Rai Parveen Mahal, etc.

• Raja Mahal – The entry to the fort is adorned by the Deewan-e-Aam complex on the right and the Seesh Mahal portion of the Jahangir Palace in the front. One will find an alleyway to the left which leads to the armory. This is the main palace where the kings and queens of Orchha resided till the fort was abandoned in the 18th century. The Raja Mahal is primarily comprised of 3 sections – Deewan-e-Aam, Deewan-e-Khas, and the Residential Area. The arched open windows all around the palace resembled the Gothic style of architecture common in Europe at that time. The interiors of this palace are rich in their architectural design and decoration with once vibrant murals and paintings all over the walls and ceilings.
The Raja Mahal has several levels with the Deewan-e-khas on the ground floor and the royal residence for the kings and queens on the upper tiers.

For more exciting ‘Snips & Snaps’ stayed tuned……Till then happy travelling….!!!!

Jahangir Mahal – Interesting fact, though the palace is named after famous Mughal emperor Jahangir, it was not a palace of the Mughal emperor Jahangir. The construction of this palace started in the late 15th century under the reign of Rama Shah and Indramani Singh and was completed in 1606 under King Bir Singh Deo. Bir Singh Deo named the palace Jahangir Mahal to honor his friend and ally Mughal emperor Jahangir. However, this majestic palace served a stay for only 1 night for Emperor Jahangir. The southern end of the palace has a grand main entrance gate with carvings of elephants on the two sides. This is a five-storied structure, with a chhajja marking each storey. Its construction represented a unique style of architecture, a fine blend of Rajasthani Architecture and Mughal architecture with Persian influence, giving rise to the Bundela style.
One interesting story (as heard from local guides) goes that as King Bir Singh was not sure of the mode of travel of emperor Jahangir (Horse, Camel, or Elephant), he built a 3 tier staircase, where the heights of the platforms were designed to align with the height of horse, camel, and elephant for easy debarking of the Emperor.
One can also find the Hamam Khana (bathhouse) and the Oonth Khana (Camel House) adjoining the Jahangir Mahal.

Rai Praveen Mahal: This palace is dedicated to the beautiful poetess-musician Rai Parveen, who was brought into the palace by Maharaja Indrajit Singh in 1618, then ruler of Orchha. The beauty and intellect of Rai Praveen quickly spread across the country and legend has it that emperor Akbar hearing of the queen’s charm, talent, and youth sent orders for Rai Parveen to be sent to Delhi. Since the Orchha kingdom was under the supremacy of the Mughals, the command was abided and the poetess-musician was sent to Akbar’s court. However, knowing the ulterior motives of emperor Akbar, Rai Praveen did not shy away from expressing her disgusted feelings and wrote a couplet shaming Akbar. Akbar impressed by her intellect and courage, made immediate arrangements to send her back to Orchha with dignity and respect.

Stay tuned up for more interesting places in upcoming post on Orchha…..till then happy travelling !!!