Mansion of Himma Hamir, Orchha Fort, South area, Orchha, Madhya Pradesh, India.
In Orchha Fort, apart from Orchha King’s trusted, chieftains, commanders, Ministers, Deewan, associates and elite families, the officers involved in the security and maintenance of the fort, construction etc were allowed to stay in the citadel of Orchha. The remains of all these grand mansions can be seen in the north and south of the main palace which were built by Raja Veer Singh Dev and other notable rulers of Orchha.
One of these havelis is the Hima Hamir ki Haveli whose magnificent architecture reflects from the remains, and tourists interested in architecture will not be disappointed. It is located near the Baroud Khana in the south.
It is said to be the Kothi of Hima Hamir who was the son of chieftain Champat Roy and belonged to Rajput Badgujar clan who are said to have descended from Lav, son of Shri Ramji.
There are about four courtyards in this attractive haveli, three inner and one outer courtyard. A large hall with vaulted ceilings supported by multifoil arches. Some rooms look better after renovation. Some of the inner courtyards are now completely dilapidated and there are verandahs around a courtyard and rectangular rooms behind them. By the way, all the inner courtyards were definitely built around other rooms. Decorated parapet walls were built on the roofs in the Bundela style. The terraces can be reached by stairs. It appears that some parts of the haveli were of two storeys. The magnificent two-storied entrance gate has been restored, its upper floor has a balcony based on three arches and the slab or roof is a palanquin shaped traditional Bangla hut style. There are lotus or flower figures on either side of the main entrance and stucco ornamentation work is still visible on the ceiling, niches, blind arches. Its construction period dates back to the reign of Maharaja Veer Singh Dev and it is a unique example of architecture built in the Bundela style.