Diwan-I-Aam Orchha
The Diwan-i-Am has massive
columns and the ceiling has been decorated with paintings belonging to
the Mughal and the Bundela schools of art. The exterior of the palace is
decorated with elephant and lotus-shaped brackets. The entire architecture
of the Raja Mahal is exquisite and speaks loftily of the stone carvers
who sculpted it.
The Raja Mahal is a fine
example of Mughal architecture with typical stone jali (lattice) work and
multifaced arches at the entrance. The palace is in the shape of a perfect
square that is further divided into two courtyards. The main courtyard
is flanked by the palace which has a four-storeyed building at one end
of it.
The other three sides
have five-storeyed apartments. The Raja Mahal’s facade is simplicity personified
with hardly any ornamental detailing, but the interiors house some splendid
paintings. The outer courtyard has some beautiful arches arranged in floral
patterns and carved out in lime mortar.
Inside the Mahal, the
two places worth a look are the Durbar-e-Khas and the Diwan-i-Am. The Durbar-e-Khas,
or the Durbar Hall, is situated on the first floor of the palace and is
surrounded by high battlement walls. It is well fortified, and right above
it are a number of musket holes through which the enemy was shot at.
The Diwan-i-Am is an
assembly hall where the king often held meetings with his council of ministers.
The hall has three platforms,
and from the highest one, the king held forth on affairs of the state. |