Located on the banks of the Betwa River in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, Orcha is a city virtually lost in time. A sleepy town of about ten thousand, it offers weary travelers a welcome respite from the more densely populated "must see" cities of northern India. The air is fresh, the river is clear, and there is peace. Happily, there are also numerous unusual medieval ruins - picturesque cenotaphs, imposing temples and massive palaces - to explore!
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| Layers of Stone...and History View from Jehangir Mahal to Raja Mahal and Chaturbhuj Temple beyond Orcha, India - 2007 |
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| Ruins of Rai Praveen Mahal with the Betwa River beyond Orcha, India - 2007 |
Orcha was founded in 1501 by Raja Rudra Pratap, a Bundela Rajput king. During the reign of Raja Bir Singh Deo in the early 17th century, the princely state reached the height of its political power and artistic achievement. By the late 19th century however, the city was abandoned. This unfortunate circumstance has serendipitously provided us with a rare window into that lost world.
Today, the archeological investigation and historic preservation of Orcha's past is well underway at the Fort Complex, which dominates one side of the river. The Fort Complex is a collection of three palaces, the most famous being Jehangir Mahal, which is considered to be a particularly beautiful example of the architecture of that era, a masterful blending of Hindu and Moslem architectural traditions.
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| Cupolas Mark Every Intersection Jehangir Palace |
Raja Bir Singh constructed the Jehangir Mahal as a gift to his friend, the emperor Jahangir (son of Akbar, father of Shah Jehan). According to our local guide, two hundred workers labored four years to complete the palace in time for Jehangir's visit to Orcha in 1606. Jehangir accepted the gift and spent one one night in the palace with his entourage before moving on to pressing affairs of state in other parts of the country. The emperor never made it back to Orcha, so the palace has laid vacant for all but that one night.
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| Courtyard of Raja Mahal |
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| Courtyard of Jehangir Mahal |
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| Roof of Jehangir Mahal |
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| Enfilade Jehangir Mahal |
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| Raja Mahal with Chaturbhuj Temple beyond Orcha, India - 2007 |
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| No Elevators...Take the Stairs Jehangir Mahal |
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