ORCHCHA AND DATIA

FATEHPUR SIKRI
MANDU

Cover page

Medieval India
 Orchcha was founded in 16th
century by the Bundela Rajput
chieftain Rudra Pratap who chose
this stretch of land along Betwa
river as an ideal site for his capital.

Orchcha intro

Orchcha and datia

SITE PLAN

1.Diwan-I-am

2.Jahangir Mahal
3.Cenotaphs
4.Wind tunnels
5.River Betwa
6.Bridge
7.Ruins
8.Temples FORT

ORCHCHA VILLAGE

Orchcha site
plan

Orchcha and datia

 The three palaces in Orchcha and the One in Datia, each palace
served as a principle model for the next. It is as though a single
design was developed and improved through the four experiments.

 Ramji Mandir

 Raj Mahal
 Jahangir Mahal
 Datia palace

Orchcha
Datia
palaces

Orchcha and datia

Second floor plan  Built by Rudra Pratap between 1531 and 1554.
 A square structure
 The ground and the first floors consist of ranges
surrounding a central, open, square courtyard.

 The roof of the first floor forms a terrace on

which is placed, at each cardinal points, a square
chamber surmounted by a dome.
first floor plan
Central,open courtyard

a. Terrace (roof of chamber below) Ra

mj
b. Chamber surmounted by a dome. i
M
an
dir
Ground floor plan
RAMJI MANDIR
Orchcha and datia
 Raj Mandir
 Built by Madhukar Shah between 1554 and 1591.
 Essential conception of the Palace same as that of Ramji
Mandir but ideas have been developed and forms complicated.
 The palace is square and the ground floor consists ranges
surrounding a central, open courtyard, but now the center of
Second floor plan each range is projected in order to create a more varied of
picturesque line.

 The roof of the lower storey serve as terrace on which

open chambers are placed as cardinal points.

 The four corner chambers have a further square chamber

above them reached by corridors contained within the thickness
of the outer wall of the palace.
first floor plan

a. Terrace (roof of chamber below)

b. Chamber surmounted by a dome.
c. Shallow podium
d. Corridor contained within the thickness of the wall.
Ground floor plan
RAJ MAHAL
Orchcha and datia
  Built by Bir Singh Deo in 1605. J
a
h

 Here same design ideas have been further modified a

n
g
and developed. ir
M
a
 The ground floor has simple rages to provide a h
a
Second floor plan visually strong base for upper storeys. l

 Central, square courtyard.

 Roof forms a terrace
 Each set of room approached and connected by a
continuous hanging corridor.

first floor plan

a. Terrace (roof of chamber below)

b. Chamber surmounted by a dome.
e. Garden
f. Projecting balcony supported on corbels
Ground floor plan
JANHANGIR MAHAL
Orchcha and datia
 Jahangir palace
grounfloor plan

The palace is built in 5 receding

storeys surmounted by the domed
and balconied kiosks of the the roof
top terraces

CENTRAL COURT

ENTANCE
staircase

Circulation

GROUND FLOOR PLAN

JANHANGIR MAHAL
Orchcha and datia
 Jahangirpalce
first floor plan
Room

Courtyard
Staircase
Tower
Circulation
Balcony – Have screen
windows with delicate jali TERRACE ON
work. GROUND FLOOR

The roof forms terraces on which pavilions

are placed in the same position as the earlier
palaces, those in the center are now greatly
enlarged, they extent more than half the
length of the range and the full width of the
terrace so that one can pass in front of them
only by means of a narrow balcony
supported on corbels.

FIRST FLOOR PLAN

JANHANGIR MAHAL
Orchcha and datia
Jahangir palace second
floor plan

Room
Tower
Chatri
Terrace

Passage
Staircase
TERRACE ON
GROUND

SECOND FLOOR PLAN

JANHANGIR MAHAL
Orchcha and datia
Jahangir palace terrace
plan

Tower

Dome T.F.F T.F.F

Chatri
T.F.F T.F.F
Circulation

T.F.F Terrace on first floor

TERRACE ON
GROUND FLOOR

T.F.F T.F.F

T.F.F T.F.F

TERRACE FLOOR PLAN

JANHANGIR MAHAL
Orchcha and datia
 Dati
Datia was founded by Bhagwan Rao in 1626.
a
 intro
It
duct
was conceived as a single unit : in form and design, in colour and ornamentation
ion
 Its balconies, bridges and windows provide attractive panoramas from any viewpoint, bound together by the symmetry of domes
and kiosks, arcades and eaves on every side.

 Externally the building mass gives an impression of solidity.

 The internal organization is light

and airy.

 The complex rests over an even

ridge of granite.

 The planning and general arrangement

almost a reproduction of Jahangir Mahal.
One Striking difference is that, in the center
of the chowk, instead of an open space,
there is a square planned , five storeyed
tower. It contains the principal royal
chamber.

DATIA PALACE
Orchcha and datia
1- north east portion of the main storey
2- First floor
3- north east portion of Second floor
4-8 – five storey of the central tower
a. terrace(roof of chamber below)
b. Roofed chamber
c. Verandah
d. Octagonal corner towers
e. catwalk(roof of linking bridges)
f. Projecting balcony

Da
tia
pa
lac
e
flo
or
pl
Datia
Datia palace second
floor plan
1. Entrance piazza at ground
level
2. Ground floor courtyard

3. Terrace
4. Colonnaded corridor
5. Room

Staircase
Circulation
Entrance 1
Balcony
at ground
Level

SECOND FLOOR PLAN

DATIA PALACE
Orchcha and datia
 Dati
a
1. Hall
palac
e
third
2. Rooms
floor
plan
3. Ground floor courtyard
4. First floor terrace
5. Second floor terrace

Circulation

THIRD FLOOR PLAN

DATIA PALACE
Orchcha and datia
1. Hall
Datia palace
2. Ground floor courtyard
terrace plan

3. First floor terrace

4. Second floor terrace
5. Dome
6. Chatri (Cupola)

Circulation

FOURTH FLOOR PLAN

DATIA PALACE
Orchcha and datia
 SECTION THROUGH PALACE AT DATIA
Datia palace section 1. Lower Ground floor
2. Room/Hall
3. Terrace
4. Parapet
5. Basement

 Height of central
dome 130 ft.
 Most of the
structure below eye
level and out of sight.
 During the
intense heat the
underground rooms
provided cool retreat
for the inmates of the
palace.
 The center edifice
is connected with the
apartments
surrounding it by
means of four double
storeyed bridges.

DATIA PALACE
Orchcha and datia
 The volume of open spaces increases
with respect
Datia to building mass,as one
moves up.top
palace

view
 The architectural rhythm – created by
the variety of lines and juxtaposition of
masses – is greatly complicated and
enhanced.
 There is no longer a large breathing
space in the center.

DATIA PALACE
Orchcha and datia
 Each of the palace designed from inside: a courtyard surrounded by
inward looking ranges, leaving high, sheer and rather blank outside
walls.
Care has been taken to provide variety of form inside, juxtaposing
mass against balanced mass, or mass against void.
The inner rooms were devised for seclusion, the terraces for providing
cool open-air areas, and the corridors and bridges to give access to the
different parts of the palace and provide services.

Dati
a
orch
cha
ends

Orchcha and datia

Fatehpursikri
LOCATION:
location ZONING

 Service areas such as water works, serais,

 Located in Northern India, 41 km from Agra. and guard’s quarters, located on the outskirts.

 Built by Akbar in 1571.  Public areas like courts, diwan-I-am and

Jami Masjid formed a ring around the King
 The complex stands over a ridge and the city is and Queen’s residences.
enclosed by an embattlement on 3 sides and on
fourth side by a vast artificial lake, main source of  The King and Queen’s residence were
water supply to the city. located on the top of the ridge.

 The ridge is at the center of the walled area and

runs from south west to North East.
ORIENTATION
 The major buildings of complex are at the top of
the ridge.

 Seven entrance gates punctured in the city wall  All important structures were located
lead to the major settlements. along cardinal axes.

 Buildings of secular nature along North-

South Axis and Jami Masjid along East-West
axis

Fatehpur sikri
Fate
hpur
sky
view
 1. Diwan-I-am
2. Turkish sultana’s garden
3. Pachisi court
4. Girl’s school
5. Turkish sultana’s house
6. Turkish sultana’s bath
7. Khwabgah emperor’s
sleeping room
8. Char chaman
9. Diwan-I-khas
10. Ankh michauli (Emperor’s
study)
11. Hospital
12. Panch mahal
13. Miriam’s house
14. Miriam;’s bath
15. Miriams’s garden
16. Nagina masjid
17. Birbal’s house
18. Hospital
19. Stables
20. Jodha Bai’s palace
21. Bath
22. Guardhouse
23. Daftarkhana
Fatehpur site plan

Fatehpur sikri
SPATIAL ORGANIZATION

 The complex consists of palatial, residential, official

and religious buildings.

 The complex is a sequential organization of enclosed

open spaces of different sizes and varying levels of
privacy.Spaces are enclosed by cloisters and corridors and
for an envelope for the free standing structures.

 One space leads to another always providing different

experience in scale and volume.

 It is a city containing no streets, but an arrangement of

broad terraces and stately courtyard around which are
grouped numerous palaces and pavilions.

Fatehpur
axonoview

 Function, orientation, topography, security and aesthetics  Interior function of the building determined the plan
each issue was considered. of the building.

Fatehpur sikri
Fatehpur
sections

Section A

Section B
3. Diwan-A- Khas
A
 Natural levels of land were
9. Anup Taloa (private court)
maintained and building linked with
11. Khwabgah (imperial apartment) adjoining apartments only by means of
ramps, platforms, and staircases.
12. Bath of Turkish Sultana
B
13. Daftar Khana
15. Sonahara Makan
B
16. Panch Mahal
18. Jodhabai Palace (imperial harem)
A
Fatehpur sikri
SYMMETRY AROUND
MULTIPLE AXES A B

 Within the complex no

defined paths for most of the
movement from space to space.
H
 Under seemingly free layout
of the city there is an extremely
subtle system of multiple axes at
work.
E D

Fatehpur multiple axis

Fatehpur sikri
IN FATEHPUR SIKRI THE ORGANIZATION OF SPACES IS
CATEGORIZED INTO THREE CATEGORIES:

1. Large enclosed public or semi-public spaces which at times Interesting aspect of spatial sequence at Fatehpur Sikri is
have buildings juxtaposed within the enclosed space. transition. At times there are very definite and sharp
transitions from one space to another. There are also
Eg. Jami Masjid, with tombs of Salim Chisti and Islam
examples of soft and subtle changes.
Khan, is self contained and has linkages with other spaces
through shahi Darwaza and Buland Darwaza. Eg. Indirect , entry to the courtyard of JodhaBai’s palace is
highly controlled.
Diwan-I-Am, enclosed space with linkage to Agra gate on
one side and residential area on the other

2. Spaces which are outside the buildings, yet give a sense of Pavilions,porches and varandahs around some structures
being enclosed owing to the manner in which the other add another dimension to the experience of transition. At
structures are disposed around them. These spaces are focal places transition accentuated by changes of level.
points for some important functions.
Eg. Space around Birbal’s House, Marium House and
Diwan-I-Khas follow this approach.

3. Internal open spaces with a higher degree of privacy

attached to them.
Eg. Courtyard within Jodhabai’s Palace has well controlled
entry which also provides linkages to other spaces.

Fateh
pur
organi
zation
of
spaces
Fatehpur sikri
LOCATION
 Situated on a ridge of the Vindhya Hills that rises 2000 ft(ASL).

 Mandu
Khan Ghori established the city of joys – Mandu.
Dilwarintrod
uction

 The city was designed for pleasure and comfort.

 The city is grouped around 2 lakes, Munja Talao and Kaphur Taloa.

 The palace is in the harmony with surrounding hills and with climate.

 Easy access to the roof and terraces, with pavilions from which to watch changing
colours of the sky.

Tremendous importance of water in

the planning of Mandu.
 Access to lakes
 Use of deep wells
 Bathing pools
 Water conduits

MANDU
 IMPORTANT PLANNING PRINCIPLES

Structures are sited in harmony with nature

taking full advantage of the lakes and pools,
vegetation, views, security, etc.
Water, apart from satisfying functional needs,
served as the focal point of spatial organization
and activities.
Terraces, pavilions, fountains, pools, open
courts are important elements used in planning.

Planning
principle
s

MANDU
Mandu site plan 1. Entrance Gate
Area 63 sq.kms 2. Tabeli Mahal
3. Water body
4. Jahaz Mahal
5. Pavilion
6. Kaphur Talao
7. Munja Talao
8. Jal Mahal
9. Bathing pool
10. Hammams
11. Amphitheatre
12. Theatre Hall
13. Royal Apartments
14. Champa Baoli
15. Dilwar Khan’s Mosque
16. Hindola Mahal
17. Gada Shah’s palace
18. Hathi Gate

MANDU
 Munja Talao
Jahaz mahal ground floor plan

1. Hall
2. Pavilion
3. Bath

GROUND FLOOR PLAN

Three airy halls with a beautiful bathing The lowers level contains three large
courtyard, spacious terraces, fountain spacious halls with arched
courts, pavilions, kiosks, and cupolas. interconnections through narrow corridors
which are planned in linear
correspondence to the water front.
The two horizontal levels of Jahaz Mahal
form a visual relationship with the lake
water.
JAHAZ MAHAL
MANDU
Jahaz mahal terrace Munja Talao
plan

1. Terrace
2. Pavilion
3. Bath

TERRACE PLAN

JAHAZ MAHAL
MANDU
 Jahaz mahal section

SECTION A

1. Hall
2. Pavilion
3. Terrace
4. Bath

JAHAZ MAHAL
MANDU
 Mandu bath
view

BATHING POOL

 The bathing pool is inspired by the stepped

baolis, with steps leading down to the water.

 The pool is shaped in the form of an exquisite

flower with cusped and curved ends.

 There is a bathing pool on the terrace which is

smaller in size but has the same cusped flower shape
in its design.

JAHAZ MAHAL
MANDU
 WATER SYSTEM

 An elaborate system of water circulation was

evolved to bring the water from the lakes to the
bathing pools.

 Water was lifted by Persian wheels from the

tanks to the upper horizontal level where it was fed
into the ducts which carried it all along the terrace to
the bathing pools.

 The end of the duct is decorated with the

serpent shape which regulates the velocity of the
water flow into the bathing pools.
 Another systm of water circulation was based
on the gravity with the cascades and fountains.

Water system mandu

MANDU
end
 A. Akbar’s Palace
B. Jami Masjid
C. Salim Chisti’s Quarter’s
2. Bazaar
3. Monumental Gate
4. treasury
5. Mint
6. Unknown structure
LAKE
7. Hauz Shrin Tank
8. Elephant stable
9. Bath
A
10. Baoli
11. Hathi pol
12. Hiran Minar
13. Imperial carvansarai
14. Samosa Mahal
15. Enclosed Garden
B 16. Mosque of Nawab
Ibrahim
C 17. Bath
18. Modern Tank
19. Baoli
20. Tank
21. Hakim’s House
22. Hakim’s Bath

Fatehpursikri
siteplan
Rajmahalvie
w1
Rajmahal view
Jahangir palace
court view
jahangir1
Jahangir palace
elevation1
J
a
h
a
n
g
i
r
p
a
l
a
Jahang
ir
palace
chatri
view
Jahangir palace
passage view
 Jahangir
palace chatri
datia palace
elevation
 Datia
windows
 Datia
corridor

DATIA PALACE
Datia palace
Anup talao
animation
Fatehpursikr
i darwaza
Fatehp
ursikri
royal
gate
 Jobdhabai
palace view
Jodhabai palace
plan
Jodhabai palace entrance
Jodhabai palace
courtyart
Jami masjid
Diwan-
I-am
Birbal
house
Fatehpur Diwan-I
khas