Bundelkhand is a region surrounded by the hilly ranges of Vindhyachal in Central India. It lies in the south of Yamuna river and the north of Narveda river Today the region is a part of both U.P. & M.P.. The districts of Chitrakoot, Banda Jhansi, Jaloun, Hamirpur, Mahoba and Lalitpur belong to U.P. and the districts of Chatterpur, Tikamgarh, Damoh, Sagar, Datia and Panna belong to M.P..
Topographically the region is hilly and about 1/3 of the total area is covered with forest giving a unique paranomic view of wildlife. The major rivers of the region are Betwa, Kali Sindh, Pahooj, Tons, Ken, Dhasan, Chambal and Bina.
During the course of history the region changed its name many times. During the ancient period the region was known as Dasarn. From Mahabharat period to 6 century B.C. it was referred as Chedi Pradesh It was also known as Dasharn Pradesh because of Dasharn River during this period. In Skandhpuran the region is referred as Jajhoti Pradesh. During Chendelas it was known as Jaijabhukti because it was ruled by Jaijak. The other names given to the region are Jujhauti, Jujharkand, Vindhyakhand, and finally Bundelkhand.
It is mentioned in Ramayan that Lord Ram along with Sita and Laxhman stayed in Chitrakoot (a part of this region) for a long period during their exile. Historian also refer this area as part of Dandkayan.
Politically Bundelkhand region was ruled by Chedis, Mauryas, Sungs, Guptas, Huns, Harsh's, Pratihar's and Chendelas. Chandelas ruled the region for about 300 years. It was the golden period of Bundelkhand and name of Aalah and Udal became synonymous with Bundelkhand. The temples of Khajuraho are the gift of Chandelas. From Chandelas the power passed to Bundelas, the Sultans of Delhi and then Mughals tried to control the region and faced a strong resistance. Finally the rulers of the region accepted the soverignity of the British. After Independence the states of Bundelkhand became part of Independent India.
Bundelakhand is too rich in its archaeological sites, monuments and temples Historical sites of Bharhut, the famous Stupa of Sanchi neat Vidisha, a Bhudhist pilgrimage site, Orchha, Dhubela, Pantia are famous monuments and temples to name a few.
Bundelas are said to be the Suryavanshi Rajputs. They were one of the off shoots of Pratihars of Kannauj. They controlled Kashi. A son of Kashi ruler named Hemkaran (famous as Pancham Bundela) settled near today's Banda and his successors ruled from Mohini for about two centuries.
In 13 century Bundelas occupied Garhkundar and made it their capital. In 16 century a Bundela Chief Rudra Pratap (1501-1531) decided to shift the capital from Garhkundar to Orchha and laid the foundation of Orchha Fort on the banks of river Betwa. Rudra Pratap died soon and his successors gave Orchha its architectural identity. Later on Chhatrasal son of Champatrai, ruler of Panna made Dhubela and Panna a place of Bundela architectural beauty.
16 and 17 century saw the coming up of the Bundela Architecture. The impact of Mughal architecture was seen in the Arches, Domes, Vaults, Decorative Motifs and Rectangular Gardens. Bundela buildings have square plans and several storeys in height, square courtyards, hanging balconies, walls with arcade kiosk, and each angle with graceful cupolas. The buildings have interior apartments with open terraces and corridors.
The Forts, Mahals, Kothis, Temples & Cenotaphs in Orchha, Dhubela and Panna are the masterpiece examples of Bundela architecture. The Bundela architecture is the amalgamation of Rajput and Mughal architecture. The wall paintings therein depicts the social, political, cultural and religious culture of the time. In fact it is the true depiction of Bundela social order.
Domes, brackets, arches, pillars, ceilings, roofs are the main features of Bundela architecture. Generally the Bundela buildings have flat roofs but wagon vaulted roof (slope on both sides). The domes are of four types. The first are plain hemispherical domes i.e. semi-circular placed on an octagonal base above a square chamber. The second type are the domes with fluted ribs of a melon placed on an octagonal base found in Orchha. Third ones are the massive hemispherical dome mounted on an octagonal neck having an octagonal Chhatery on it and the other type of domes are onion shaped domes. We also find small Chhateris with four small pillars. The ceilings are either vaulted ceiling, or inverted saucer type or the interior of domes form a hemispherical or semi-circular ceiling. The niche of different style are seen everywhere.
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