Jahangir Mahal, Orchha

Jahangir Mahal in Orchha is one of the famous monuments in the Orchha Fort. This incredible location is around 18km (11mi) away from Jhansi. People interested to visit the ancient architecture will find a home in these structures. This palace was built as a gift by King Vir Singh for the Mughal ruler Jahangir in the 17th century. This mesmerizing vintage beauty is also known by a few other names. If you get to read some other name of this palace, then don’t be surprised because it’s also called Orchha Palace, Rani Mahal, Citadel of Jahangir, Jahangir Citadel, etc.  

This place due to its vintage look attracts numerous tourists around the world. Take a quick look at some of the important information of this Palace.

Quick Glance

Location: Paryatan Bhawan, Orchha, Madhya Pradesh

Entrance Fee: INR 30

Camera Fee: None

Timing: 9am-5pm

Built: 17th Century CE

Type: Palace

Etymology: Jahangir

How to Reach the Orchha Jahangir Mahal?

The tourism of Jhansi has a direct effect on Orchha attractions. This place is at a very close distance of around 20km (12miles) from Jhansi. The fact that makes travel more convenient for tourists is the roadways of Orchha which is well-connected to major cities. If you are traveling by flight, then Gwalior Airport is the closest airport. So you will have many options to travel to Orchha.

Best Time to Visit

As mentioned earlier, Orchha is visited by tourists throughout the year due to the pleasant weather and famous attractions of the town. The historical monuments and architecture work as a magnet for people who want to explore the ancient history of these structures. However, there is one basic difference that every traveler of Orchha must know. If you are planning to only explore the monuments and historical attractions, then any time of the year is good to go. But if you want to catch the water sports like river-rafting, or go for a hike, then winter & spring season is highly suggested.

The tourist season in Orchha is said to be from October - April, as these months have a fairly cold climate and the surrounding beauty also remains at their best.

Orchha not just offers incredible natural surroundings and brilliant historical sites, but tourists are also attracted due to the rich wildlife of this area. Orchha successfully plays the role of being the part of a wildlife tour as the Tiger Reserve of Central India remains open.

Back Story

The famous story of Jahangir gifting the entire Bundelkhand to his close friend Maharaja Vir Singh came into existence after the fight between Akbar’s army and the army of Maharaja Vir Singh. The Mughal Prince Salim was also called Salim, he was involved with a lot of conflict with his father Akbar, who disowned him. Akbar was extremely unhappy with Jahangir on several issues and his involvement with Anarkali (Jahangir’s lover) was one of them.

Akbar sent an army to fight against Jahangir and the head of the Akbar’s army was Abu Fazal. The Army had to cross the Bundela region to get to Agra, so Vir Singh as a good friend of Salim fought Akbar’s army and served the head of Abu Fazal in the court of Jahangir as a victory gift. Jahangir gifted the entire Bundelkhand region to Vir Singh as a gift for his loyalty, and Vir Singh built Jahangir Palace to return the favor.

The Architecture of Jahangir Mahal, Orchha

The architecture of the Jahangir Mahal, Orchha is very attractive, there are some mesmerizing structures added to the palace that has made this monument a living example of the brilliant craftsmanship of the early artisans. Here are some of the details about the architecture

•  It has a square-shaped courtyard that serves as the center to the entire palace.
•  The construction is a three-storied structure made with yellow and red stones.
•  The palace consists of around 136 rooms and all of them are decorated with wall paintings.
•  The construction of this palace is a mix of Hindu and Islamic architecture, all the places including the rooms, domes, entrance of the monuments, gates and other aspects reflect that style.
•  The vintage look of this palace is inspired and expected in medieval castles
•  The surrounding has a very beautiful and romantic setup, mostly because it is set in the bank of the Betwa River.
•  The interior of the place has paintings of elephants, and the outer structure of the palace is maintained with stable for camels.

Surrounding Attractions

You will find many other attractions around this vintage Jahangir Mahal, Orchha. Since this townhouse has some of the unfamiliar yet brilliant palaces, you will be able to explore a lot of cultural history of the bygone era. Here are some places you can visit:

•  Chhatris
•  Ram Raja Mahal
•  Raj Mahal
•  Laxminarayan Temple
•  Chaturbhuj temple

These destinations are perfect for sightseeing and exploring the ancient set up. If you an art lover and like to visit ancient monuments and absorb the history and culture of the place, then Jahangir Palace will be the best place to be. For the first time visitor, here are some details about the things you can buy in Orchha.

What to Buy in Orchha?

After exploring the place if you want to take home a piece of Jahangir Palace or Orchha, then you will love to read further in this section. Instead of being extremely popular, the name of this famous monument it still surprises some of the travelers. However, if this is the first time you are reading about this brilliant palace, then put it on your bucket list, because you will love to explore the palaces, forts, gardens, and architecture of Orchha.

Though Orchha doesn’t have much to offer, you can always buy famous metal works of Dokra, showpieces, souvenirs, articles of wrought iron, and mementos.

Orchha has unmatched beauty to offer in terms of architecture and history. The place is also rich in cultural heritage that will compel you to pay a second visit.

  See More: 5 Unforgettable Places to Visit in Orchha