It is no surprise that India is blessed with impressive architecture. We had many provincial states which have left their indelible mark through such structures. Here we bring you the story of Datia Palace in Madhya Pradesh which bears testimony to another glorious past.
Veer Singh Palace is located in the north-central district of Datia in the state of Madhya Pradesh in central India. It is a medieval palace that has historical and architectural importance in this state. This ancient city has been referred to as Daityavakra in the Mahabharata. This particular palace is one of the most sought-after palaces which is visited with great interest by local and foreign tourists. It is the best-preserved court palace structure. It is about 320 km north of Bhopal, 325 km south of New Delhi, and 69 km from Gwalior.
Datia was a state under Bundelkhand which is now a district of Madhya Pradesh. Datia Palace or Datia Mahal was specially built by Raja Bir Singh Deo to welcome the Mughal Emperor, Jahangiri. Historical records show that it was Jahangir who made Bir Singh Deo the ruler of Datia. Hence, they shared a good friendship for the rest of their lives.
Datia Mahal is one of the great examples of Indo-Islamic architecture in India. The mix of Rajputana and Mughal styles gives it a splendid look. Its walls speak of a different era when a large area of land was called Bundelkhand.
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The palace dates back to the time when its builder Bir Singh Deo was made Maharaja after Jahangir came to power. But the majestic old palace seems lost in history, its glory unrecognizable, its uninhabited body seems like an eternity. Its charming oriel windows have been watching the changing world for many years.
One can see that the structure was constructed with the utmost care, with thoughtful precision. Its beautiful paintings and designs speak a lot about the artistry of that time. It has four octagonal towers, and those who can climb high enough will be gifted with a view of the surrounding area. From afar, this palace seems like a mysterious cold place, but once you enter its depths, you get to know its story.
There are also Bundela paintings hanging from its old walls. While it is true that a castle is a non-living thing, the fact that a beautiful old structure was never occupied by its builder certainly has a sentimental ring to it. Why was it created after all?
Veer Singh Palace Architecture
The Veer Singh Palace and its beautiful garden area are surrounded by a stone wall in the old town of Datia. A large lake named Karna Sagar is visible in the southern part of this palace. The main gate is on the east side. In North India, the best example of Hindu domestic architecture is this palace built-in 1614 by Raja Vir Singh Deo in the 17th century. It is a seven-storeyed grand palace. It is situated on the lower hill of this region. It took about nine years to complete the construction of this large structured palace. There is no trace of iron or wood but it is made entirely of bricks and stone. It is designed as a class with perfection. With four octagonal towers, the monotony is largely
being removed. The spire of this seven-storied building is embellished with several chhatris, which are crowned attractively with well-designed ribbed domes. Most of the rooms have exquisite carvings on the ceilings. This palace is locally known as Govind Mandir. There are many underground chambers in this palace.
Veer Singh Palace History
Datia kingdom was established in 1549. In 1626, Rao Bhagwan Rao, the first Rao of Baroni and Datia, obtained Baroni and Datia from his father, Raja Bir Singh Deo of Orchha. He successfully established his kingdom. In 1676, he died. In 1802, this princely state came under direct British control under the Treaty of Bassein along with other territories in Bundelkhand. This treaty was signed with Peshwa. Maharaja Rao Raja was the ancient title of this ruling family, but the British government largely recognized the title of Maharaja as hereditary only in 1865. It is not remembered that the Peshwa maintained a force for the British with 5203 infantry, 945 cavalry, and 3,000,000 guns and other ammunition.
The motto of the royal family was Veer Dalap Sharandah which means Lord of the Giver and Brave Army. The state faced famines in 1896–97 and 1899–1900. In 1947, after India's independence, the Maharaja of Datia immediately joined the dominions of India. It later merged successfully, with the Union of India. In 1950, Datia together with the rest of the agency of Bundelkhand became part and parcel of the new state of Vindhya Pradesh. This new state was merged with some other regions within the Union of India in 1956 to form the present state of Madhya Pradesh.
Veer Singh Palace Tourism Significance
Veer Singh Palace is situated in Datia on the track from Gwalior to Jhansi. The nearest airport is in Indore. Datia city is on the Delhi-Mumbai railway line. No entry fee is charged from the visitors. A visitor needs a day to roam around and enjoy the unique architectural beauty of this palace.
Attractions inside Datia Palace There is also a Ganesh Temple, Durga Mandir, and a Dargah inside the Datia Palace complex. Beautiful entrances, spacious courtyards, beautiful windows, splendid views of the city, and many paintings on the walls are incredible attractions inside the Datia Palace. Hence, Datia Mahal is one of the beautiful fort palaces of Madhya Pradesh. Sadly, it is one of the untouched places in India.
How to get there?
The palace is located about 75 km from Gwalior city in Madhya Pradesh.
You can reach the site via flight if you land at Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar International Airport.
Datia Railway Station is the nearest railway station which is well connected by major railway lines.
You can take a bus to Datia Bus Terminus which is about 10 minutes away.
