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Datia Palace
Datia palace is also known as Purana Mahal in other words the 'old Palace'. It is also known by the name of Satkhanda palace. It is located at a distance of 75 km in Madhya Pradesh from the city of Gwalior. The amount which was spent in building this Palace was 35 lakh rupees which is equal to 78 thousand US dollars. The time duration in which the palace got built is 9 years. The palace is towards the west side in Datia district in front of the lake. The Palace was built in the year 1614 by Maharaj Birsingh Deo. The most amazing thing about the Datia Palace is the fact that it is a 7 floor building. Another most astonishing fact about the palace is that no member has ever resided in the Palace of the royal family. Maharaj Birsingh Deo was the founder of Datia state and he built many monuments of such type. These monuments were 52 in number all over India. In 1635, on November 19, Abdul Hamid Lahori visited the city along with great emperor Shah Jahan. He spoke about the palace that it was 80 meters in length and also in breath. He also said that the palace was equally strong and beautiful. The view of palace is easily seen from a very far distance as well.
Architecture
The architecture of the Palace is both Mughal and also the Rajput Architecture. It depicts, among other monuments, very fine and unique architecture of the period of the Bundela's. The style of Bundela is seen and known by its features which include the rectangular shape of the place which is often marked by towers circular in shape covered by the chhatris at the palace's corners. Only stones and bricks were used in the construction of the palace. The interior of the Palace is having a courtyard which is of square shape. Towards the central dome of the Palace there is a pillared hall. The designs are found in the central dome which reflected an inverted lotus. It is the unique feature in the architecture of Bundela's. A feel of a labyrinth is felt as the staircase's location keeps on changing. The corridors of the Palace have brackets which are in the shape of peacock and it also has stone windows and niches.
The view of the Palace is very beautiful from eastern part and the windows of the palace were very beautifully carved by using stones. The tombs of the palace have wonderful drawings of various images. The tomb in the center had the temple of Lord Ganesha and there was also the temple of Lord Durga on other entrances. On one of the entrance, there is Bundela's temple on one side and on the other side a Dargah is built.
A 1985 cyclone destroyed some parts of the palace, but still this palace is one of the beautiful places to visit for those who are really interested in the Mughal and Rajputana architecture and their beauty.
How to reach
Datia palace is in Datia which is at a distance of 70 km from the Gwalior city. So it becomes easier to connect to the town by rail, road or air.
By rail
The nearest railway station to the Datia town is the Gwalior Railway station. Although there is a railway station in Datia as well but not every train has a halt in Datia, so other option is the railway station of Gwalior which is found to be on the route of Delhi-Chennai and it is very well linked with several cities across the country.
By road
The national Highway No. 75 connects Jhansi and Gwalior having its location such that Datia falls on it. It has the availability of all the types of buses which include the public, private and deluxe buses.
By air
There is an airport which is at a distance of only 8 km from the main city in Gwalior. Various flights are connected to various places in India which board from Gwalior regularly. After reaching the airport any taxi or bus could be hired to reach the Datia town.
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