Datia Palace

This 16th century palace is popularly known as Govind Palace or Jehangir Palace. The palace is built using the Bundela style of architecture, which is a blend of the Mughal and Rajput architecture. The arched openings, brackets and dome is characteristic of the Mughal architecture, while the lotus petals and use of animal sculpture and avian painting are symbols of the Rajput architecture. (Click on the images for bigger picture)

In the central courtyard there is a five-story structure with apartments for the royal family. It is connected by bridge corridors to the middle of each side. The facades are decorated with bracketed balconies, arcades and wide eaves which create a glorious play of light and shade.

It is the representative of one of the finest architectures of the Bundela period. The place is decorated the Bundela mural paintings. It is impressive architecturally and has nice mural painted on the walls.

Ceilings are intricately decorated. These murals have withstood the test of time.

From Datia we proceeded to Jhansi

Distance: Datia ---> Jhansi 34kms

Govind Palace, Datia

We left from Shivpuri early morning. After visiting Survayi Ki Grahi, we proceeded to Datia which is at a distance of 106 kms. (Click on the images for bigger picture)

Govind Palace is the seven-story palace built by Raja Bir Singh Deo in 1614. Out of this only five levels are visible and other two levels are underground hidden from view. The main entrance is on the eastern side, while the south opens out to a lake, the Karna Sagar. A central dome rising to 35m caps the palace.

It has more than 440 rooms and several courtyards. What makes this palace special is that it is made entirely of stones and bricks with no use of wood and iron. This palace is one of finest example of a style of architecture that arose in the late 16th and early 17th centuries in the Bundelkhand area under the reign of the Bundela Rajputs. It is a fusion of Mughal and Rajput architecture.