Monuments of Orchha (An Old And Rare Book)

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India's unique gift to the world are the ancient monuments, representing, as they do, a paean to life, to love to joy, perfect in execution and sublime in expression. These monuments are the grappling irons that bind one generation to another.

A large number of monuments, displaying varieties of art, architectural features, spreading over several millennia, beginning with the prehistoric to modern periods, are the living evidence of cultural heritage of India.

Orchhha; the capital seat of the paramount rulers of Bundelkhand possesses a large group of medieval monuments, with sheer efflorescence of a style of architecture characterised by vigour and certitude massive proportions and delicate ornamentatyions and well paintings. This monograph is a detailed study of the monuments of Orchha and is the very first book on monuments.

The present text contains sections dealing with the geography and topography of the region concerned, along with the historical back drop. A separate section gives a detailed account of art and architecture of the monuments.

Madhya Pradesh, the very heart of India, is the cosmopolitan centre of different religions.

The ancient and eternal spirit sprang up here, with a perfect amalgam of abundance, continuity and excellence in over a thousand monuments.

Orchha, the capital of one of the largest and most powerful kingdoms of Madhya Pradesh, is a town of medieval monuments. Its grandeur has been depicted in stone, frozen in time, a rich legacy to the ages.

This monograph is a detailed study of the monuments of Orchha.

We are deeply indebted to Dr. Rahman Ali, Reader, Department of Ancient Indian History and Culture and Archaeology, Vikram University, Ujjain, who encouraged us to write this monograph.

It is our sacred and pleasant task to acknowledge the help we received in the execution of this monograph.

We pay great respect to Dr. B.L. Nagarch, Superintending Archaeologist, Archaeological Survey of India, Temple Survey, Bhopal, who was kind enough to go through the manuscript.

To Shri K.K. Chakravarty, IAS, Commissioner, Archaeology & Museums, Government of Madhya Pradesh, Bhopal, who encouraged us to complete this book, we express our gratitude.

Our thanks are also due to Shri Mahmood Ilias and Shri Sunil Pandhye, who have always been helpful to us for the completion of this book.

It is beyond expression to record the encouragement given to us by Smt. Meena Devi, due to which we could undertake this work, in spite of heavy preoccupation with family as well as official work.

Our indebtedness is also due to Shri K.K. Rajvaidhya, Librarian of Directorate of Archaeology and Museums, Bhopal who was always helpful to us in providing references.

Likewise Shri P.P. Sharma, Senior Photographer helped us in various ways. We are thankful to him.

Mrs. Jessie Abraham has typed the manuscript neatly in spite of her own preoccupations. We thank her for her sincere help.

Apart from the above mentioned friends and all other well wishers, We record our sincere gratitude to all of those whose names are not mentioned but who helped us in various ways to complete this monograph.

A few photographs of the monuments have been obtained from the Department of Archaeology and Museums, Government of Madhya Pradesh, Bhopal to illustrate the text; the authors are in debted to the authorities of the department who provided these photographs for our study with great courtesy.

We are also thankful to Dr. Agam Prasad and the staff of Agam Kala Prakashan for publishing this monograph in such a short period.

Dr. A.P. SINGH

SHIV PAL SINGH

Bhopal,

Kartik Krishana Amavasya,

Thursday, October, 18, 1990.