Raj Mahal Complex
Orchha, Tikamgarh, Madhya Pradesh
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Orchha, Tikamgarh, Madhya Pradesh
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One can almost hear the tinkling of bells, feel the swish of diaphanous curtains and see the missing blue-tile work reappear. Raj Mahal’s wide-open courtyards and maze-like corridors punctuated by jaali windows come alive…all one needs is active imagination.
– Punita Malhotra
The Raj Mahal was constructed by Madhukar Shah in the 17th century. He is said to have been a deeply religious man, a fact reflected in the stunning murals depicting themes from Hindu mythology that decorate the palace walls.
– Annie Sengupta
Although the monuments have blackened with age, I can visualize their occupants dressed in their finery, seated on colourful cushions atop white gaddis, wispy white curtains fluttering in the breeze, in and out of the myriad arches and khirki jharokas.
– Gopika Nath
The community is always more powerful than the individual and the courtyards which support the community play a dominant role in any building for people.
– Karan Grover
Mandala and yantra are archetypal geometric forms used widely for consecrating space by inviting gods to reside and subduing demonic spirits of the site. Mandalas are usually circles or gridded squares, symbolic replicas of the cosmos representing concentrations of its positive energies. Yantras are triangular in shape and function as ritual objects of meditation and worship (Buhnemann, 2003).
Both are auspicious mystical forms and at Orchha, were implicit in the landscape and articulated through built forms The three palaces—Rani Mahal (now Ram Raja Temple), Raja Mahal, and Jahangir Mahal—are based upon the paramsayika mandala, i.e. square subdivided into smaller squares and rectangles with open space in the center. The palatine designs are highly evolved formal exercises in composition and massing, and play of solids and voids.
– Sumita Tayal
The clusters of domes is what Sultanate and Mughal builders learnt from the older Indian traditions. Think of the silhouette of the Taj Mahal for instance, and compare it to the Timurid buildings with their single, stark dome.
– Swapna Liddle
An eclectic blend of Islamic and Hindu styles that not only speak of the architecture of the time but is also a subtle nod to a deep kinship that existed between the two rulers during the time.
The Palace is steeped in history – seemingly as intricate as the motifs that adorn the façade.
– Puran Kumar, Studio PKA
The interior of the Jahangiri Mahal in Orchha has four identical ranges around a central courtyard. Each range comprises tiered pavilions, linked by high-level courtyards. The provision of a variety of spaces is both functional and aesthetically delightful. Amit Pasricha’s picture perfectly captures both the complexity and the order of the design.
– Giles Tillotson
The dimensions of space and time are sensitively captured in this spectacular view of the Jahangiri Mahal at Orchha along the Betwa. The magical geometry of the monument with its levels, symmetries, voids, patterns and shapes meets the infinite expanse of the blue sky….
– Parul Pandya Dhar
Jehangir Mahal at Orchha is spatially a powerful building.
The first thing that strikes you is its exquisite symmetry, horizontally as well as vertically, and its proportioning system, which, like poetry, is more felt than understood. The confluence of Mogul and Hindu styles adds to the compelling story of it being built as a gift by the Bundela ruler for Jehangir, (who himself was of a mixed parentage) apparently for one night only.
Courtyards are seemingly scattered at all levels creating a harmony of open/semi open/covered enclosures. I was familiar with the drawings of the palace (from students’ work) but it was only after visiting it did I understand the conceptual diagram, how the built mass holds the open spaces, like a Rubik’s cube with the internal pieces plucked out to create an order of fragmented voids.
Those spaces have stayed with me as an inspiration for a modern day version of it.
– Madhu Pandit