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This book presents one of the first comprehensive and richly illustrated accounts of the Bundela style of architecture and decoration in its most dazzling and innovative period, the reign of Raja Bir Singh Dev (1605-27). A prolific builder, this Bundela ruler patronized architecture throughout his kingdom of Orchha in Central India as well as at important pilgrimage sites beyond its borders.

During Bir Singh Dev’s reign the early Bundela style of architecture and wall painting to date, we have few works on paper associated with his patronage was quickly consolidated. Sophisticated and ambitious, this style was unprecedented within the Orchha Kingdom for its fusion of local building traditions with architectural and decorative styles culled from other sources, including design from the Mughal courts of Akbar and Jahangir. The hybrid style that emerged under Bir Singh Dev and the sheer scale of building that went on it his reign was unique to the period. Neitherin the parent Bundela kingdom of Orchha nor in its offshoot states of Datia (founded c. 1626) and Panna (founded c. 1675) was anything built before or after Bir Singh Dev’s reign that could rival the scale, stylistic refinement, and decorative richness of the buildings associated with his patronage.

The author focuses on palatine and sacred buildings sponsored by Bir Singh Dev in the context of the building works of his predecessors and successors as well as of other princely states. The text is supported by numerous photographs, maps and plans.