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Raja Rudra Pratap Singh shifted his capital from Garh Kundar to Orchha in 1531, laying the foundation for a new Bundela stronghold and passing away in the same year. Following his death, his eldest son, Raja Bharatichand, became the first king of Orchha and reigned until 1554. After Bharatichand, who had no heir, his younger brother, Raja Madhukar Shah, ascended the throne of Orchha. Madhukar Shah commissioned the first royal chhatri, or cenotaph, at his brother’s cremation site, marking a significant architectural and cultural tradition in Orchha.
This chhatri stands as both a memorial and an architectural milestone, designed with influences reminiscent of Mughal and Lodhi tombs. The structure features a square plan with two stories, a central chamber accessible from four directions, plain ceilings, and verandahs with pointed archways and vaulted ceilings. The upper floor is notable for its four domed cells at each corner and a prominent ribbed dome at the center, with stone chajjas as striking exterior features.
Positioned close to Madhukar Shah’s own cenotaph, Raja Bharatichand’s chhatri became the prototype for future royal memorials. This elegant and dignified monument represents the rich legacy and innovative spirit of Orchha’s Bundela rulers.
