Bundelkhand – The Citadels

Bundelkhand, known as Jejaka Bhukti is a region divided between the states of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya pradesh, with most of its region lying in Madhya Pradesh. The major towns covered by Budelkhand are Jhansi, Datia, Lalitpur, Damoh, Sagar, Orai, Panna, Mahoba, Banda Narsingpur and Chattarpur.


Bundelkhand lies between the Indo Gangetic Plain to the north and the Vindhya Range to the south. The principle rivers are the Sindh, Bewta, Ken, Bagahin, Tons, Pahuj, Dhasan and Chambal. The Yamuna and Ken are the only navigable rivers.

Ecologically Bundelkhand is a part of the Narmada Valley Dry Deciduous Forests ecoregion. The original vegetation consists of tropical dry forest with teak as the main tree. As for the animals are concerned, Panna Tiger Reserve in Panna and Chhatarpur districts boasts of tigers. Deers make other part of the thick wildlife.

Rajput Chandelas were the original ruler of Bundelkhand. In the 12th Century, the Rajput Chauhans of Ajmer challanged Chandelas. The region came under the rule of Mughal empire in 16th century who ruled it till 18th century. Then came the Britishers. After 1802, many of the local rulers were granted sanads (leases) by the British, which entitled them to the lands they controlled at the death of Ali Bahadur, in return for the rulers signing a written bond of allegiance (ikrarnama) to the British. The sanad states were organized into the Bundelkhand Agency in 1811, when a political agent to the Governer General Of India was appointed and headquartered at Banda.

In 1849 authority over the Bundelkhand Agency was placed briefly under the Commissioner for the Saugor and Nerbudda Territories, who appointed a political assistant based at Jhansi. In 1853 the Raja of Jhansi died childless, and his territory was annexed to British Bundelkhand to which the widow of King of Jhansi protested. The revolt of 1857 found Jhansi for rebellion. She died bravely in the battle of Gwalior in 1858. The rule of Bundelkhand came to freedom with the freedom of India in 1947.

It is in this district that the world renowned Khajuraho Temples are located. Khajuraho temples, an entie clan of temples dedicated to the Lord Shiva are the masterpieces in themselves. It was the Chandela Rajputs who used to rule Bundelkhand when Khajuraho Temples were built. It was time of 10th and 12th Century. The Khajuraho Temples were were built over a span of 100 years. The Chandela Capital was moved to this place after the completion of the Khajuraho Temples.

Khajuraho Temples have come under controversies due to the erotic art which has been used in the construction of the carvings of the temple. Some of the carvings contain sexual themes, the rest of them depict the various activities of the normal day life. The external carvings of the temple depict humans, human bodies, as well as some life forms. There are carvings which show women putting on makeup, musicians, potters, farmers, and other folks. Those mundane scenes are all at some distance from the temple deities. Some books also refer to them as the Kamasutra Temples. But some have a other view – they say that such a depiction of the idols have been done for the black magic which was used done in these temples. Whatever be the ideology, one thing surpasses everything – the carvings of the temple make them one of the most beautiful rock cut architecture of India.


Very near the Kahjuraho temples ( Just 19 kms) are the Palaces of Orchha. Made by the Orchha Kings were started by the King Rudra Pratap Singh. Orchha meaning a hidden place, gets only a small portion of the traffic of Khajuraho. There are two main Palaces in Orchha – the Raj Mahal and the Rai Parveen Mahal. The others are the Jehangir Palace and the Sheesh Mahal. The Rai Parveen Mahal has been constructed in the honor of the Nightangle of Orchha. Rai Parveen was also known for her seemless beauty.


Both of these are the masterpieces or the Citadels of Budelkhand and no one is lesser than the other. A must see, both of these places can be seen in a single day, by road....