HISTORY OF ORCHHA MP
History of orchha state, under the middle of 17th century is practically the history of bundelkhand .history of orchha before the bundela gave their name to his territory can also be culled from the general history of this region. The name ‘Orchha’ or ondcha is legendarily derived from the wondering comment of a Rajput chief who, looking for a site for the state capital exclaimed ondche, “it lies low enough or far enough” . Of course orchha also may mean surrounded by ‘or’or a screen of forest and flood, bluff and spur, which served as its natural fortification even before Rudrapratap decided in 1531 to use it as his fortified capital. The name tikamgarh was given to the orchha state in honour of Ranchhod Tikam, an appellation of lord Krishna, when the capital was shifted by maharaja vikramjit in 1783The koshala of sravasti before Buddha, mauryas. Haihayas, kalachuris ,gaharwars, parihars after Buddha ruled this area till the 7th century A.D. the kannoj dynasty ruled this area in the 7th century A.D. and the Kingdome of jejkabhukti corresponding to chi-chi-to of hiuen-tsang was the same as modern Bundelkhand with a portion of Baghelkhand. On the breakup of the kanauj empire, the chandela rose to power and ruled from the 8th till the 13th century. Orchha at this time, was being ruled by sani rajput. The poet chand describes the defeat of the spirited sani chief Hansaraj by parmardideva chandelle, who was ably assisted by his lieutenant Harishchandra in the year 1178 A.D. After the chandelas in the early 12th century A.D. the Bundelkhand tract was ruled by tribes like Mewatis, gonds, Bhars, yogis, Bawars, Khangars and even by chandelas as petty chieftain. The historian go back to the period of chandelas who rose to the power and ruled over the major portion of the land (now known as Bundelkhand) after the downfall of kanauj empire. But there is hardly anything about orchha. Some records tell us of the Pancham bundela, hemkaran who driven in disgrace by his brother from beneras. Somehow managed (may be through some supernatural agency) to usurp Bundelkhand. Hemkaran was succeeded by the numbers of Bundela rulers.we also collect that it was sohan pal who first came as a ruler of garhkundhar, and the last ruler was Malkhan singh whose eldest son Rudrapratap who converted his military camp in to a city named it “Orchha” in 1531 A.D. the shifting from garhkundhar to orchha might have been due to some military strategy because the first mughal emperor babur had captured kalpi and chanderi and had also killed the king Medini Rai. Being captivated by the charming scenery of the surrounded and understanding the viability there, Rudra pratap started the construction work of a magnificent palace with a view of making orchha.
ATTRACTIONS
King palace
King palace: This is the King palace. The construction of this palace was started by RudraPratap Singh Bundela in 1531 A.D. It is the oldest palace of orchha. It is based on mughal architecture with typical stone jali work. It is divided in to two courtyards. The first courtyard used for the palace activity and Royal gathering inner courtyard used by Royal ladies and royal family members for the rituals and the festival.
Plan: The raja mahalis square in plan. It is divided into two wings. After crossing the first courtyard, one enters the main courtyard,which is sourounded by palace, with five stories
History of orchha state, under the middle of 17th century is practically the history of bundelkhand .history of orchha before the bundela gave their name to his territory can also be culled from the general history of this region. The name ‘Orchha’ or ondcha is legendarily derived from the wondering comment of a Rajput chief who, looking for a site for the state capital exclaimed ondche, “it lies low enough or far enough” . Of course orchha also may mean surrounded by ‘or’or a screen of forest and flood, bluff and spur, which served as its natural fortification even before Rudrapratap decided in 1531 to use it as his fortified capital. The name tikamgarh was given to the orchha state in honour of Ranchhod Tikam, an appellation of lord Krishna, when the capital was shifted by maharaja vikramjit in 1783The koshala of sravasti before Buddha, mauryas. Haihayas, kalachuris ,gaharwars, parihars after Buddha ruled this area till the 7th century A.D. the kannoj dynasty ruled this area in the 7th century A.D. and the Kingdome of jejkabhukti corresponding to chi-chi-to of hiuen-tsang was the same as modern Bundelkhand with a portion of Baghelkhand. On the breakup of the kanauj empire, the chandela rose to power and ruled from the 8th till the 13th century. Orchha at this time, was being ruled by sani rajput. The poet chand describes the defeat of the spirited sani chief Hansaraj by parmardideva chandelle, who was ably assisted by his lieutenant Harishchandra in the year 1178 A.D. After the chandelas in the early 12th century A.D. the Bundelkhand tract was ruled by tribes like Mewatis, gonds, Bhars, yogis, Bawars, Khangars and even by chandelas as petty chieftain. The historian go back to the period of chandelas who rose to the power and ruled over the major portion of the land (now known as Bundelkhand) after the downfall of kanauj empire. But there is hardly anything about orchha. Some records tell us of the Pancham bundela, hemkaran who driven in disgrace by his brother from beneras. Somehow managed (may be through some supernatural agency) to usurp Bundelkhand. Hemkaran was succeeded by the numbers of Bundela rulers.we also collect that it was sohan pal who first came as a ruler of garhkundhar, and the last ruler was Malkhan singh whose eldest son Rudrapratap who converted his military camp in to a city named it “Orchha” in 1531 A.D. the shifting from garhkundhar to orchha might have been due to some military strategy because the first mughal emperor babur had captured kalpi and chanderi and had also killed the king Medini Rai. Being captivated by the charming scenery of the surrounded and understanding the viability there, Rudra pratap started the construction work of a magnificent palace with a view of making orchha.
ATTRACTIONS
King palace
King palace: This is the King palace. The construction of this palace was started by RudraPratap Singh Bundela in 1531 A.D. It is the oldest palace of orchha. It is based on mughal architecture with typical stone jali work. It is divided in to two courtyards. The first courtyard used for the palace activity and Royal gathering inner courtyard used by Royal ladies and royal family members for the rituals and the festival.
Plan: The raja mahalis square in plan. It is divided into two wings. After crossing the first courtyard, one enters the main courtyard,which is sourounded by palace, with five stories
