Cenotaph of Maharaja Sawant Singh, Royal Cenotaphs Premise, Orchha, Madhya Pradesh, India.
The Mughal dynasty was becoming increasingly weak since the seventeenth century and the influence of the British was increasing. Whose influence was also visible on the friendly kings of the Mughal dynasty. Orchha also did not remain untouched by this influence. The grandeur of Orchha was beginning to fade. At a time when the conspiracies of the British were increasing in Bengal, Maharaja Sawant Singh took over the throne of Orchha. The Cenotaph I am describing is dedicated to him.
Pooran Singh, the son of Maharaja Prithvi Singh who ruled Orchha from 1736-1752 AD and died while hunting a tiger. His son Sawant Singh succeeded his grandfather Maharaja Prithvi Singh in 1752 AD, Sawant Singh ruled till 1765 A.D. Mughal emperor Shah Alam, during his visit to Orchha, conferred the title of Mahendra’ on Maharaja Sawant Singh. After the death of Sawant Singh in 1765 AD. his son Het singh whose reign was from 1765-1768 AD built this cenotaph. Located in south-east corner of the premises and this cenotaph is different from others in size and type. In the ground plan, the cenotaph is square. The garbha griha in the centre is square with decorated corridor on all sides. The shikhar, domes, small canopies, hanging balconies with stone balustrade, paintings etc are a fine example of Bundela art and architecture.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/6B7xrY2f7NLsppwSA