Rani Mahal, Kalinjar Fort, Kalinjar, Madhya Pradesh, India.
Rani Mahal is a famous monument for its ornamentation and attractive Bundela style, even today the remains of this palace attest to this fact located in the Kalinjar Fort. This rectangular, two-tiered and partly three storeyed palace of Bundela’s reign with huge and two-tiered entrances is famous for its grandeur and elegance. There is a courtyard and an open verandah in the center of the rectangular palace, which is connected by pillared multifoiled arched corridors from all sides. Above the multifoiled arches, cornice, mouldings, finely decorated stone brackets carved with lotus, flower petals, parrots, peacocks etc supporting the hangouts under the parapet are the structural and architectural elements. In the corridors built around the verandah, different types of geometric motifs and flower leaves have been carved through stucco on the pillars. The beautiful ornamentation like fish shell on the pillars undoubtedly shows the specialty of Bundela architecture. Stucco work has also been done on the interior of the palace, especially on the pillars, semi-pillars, niches and balconies. Staircases to access the upper floors, latticed windows, hanging balconies, sitouts at the entrance also are the features. Water drainage systems were provisioned in the open courtyard.
It’s just a marvelous and popular tourist attraction in the Kalinjar Fort.