Façade and entrance gate of Shyam Daua’s Kothi, North Fort Campus, Orchha Fort, Orchha, Madhya Pradesh, India.
This fascinating Kothi was built by Maharaja Veer Singh Dev for the residence of Raiman Daua’s daughter-in-law. It’s situated on the way to Rai Praveen palace to north of Topkhana in the fort compound. It’s said that Raiman Daua who was a very close associate of the King committed suicide alongwith his family and probably Shyam Daua was the grand son of Raiman Daua. Only one daughter-in-law of Dauji survived who was away in her parental home. Later she was brought to Orchha. Shyam Daua was got killed in 1637 A.D. along with Jujhar Singh’s son Udaybhan in the battle with Shah Jahan. Shyam Daua was probably, the grandson of Raiman Daua. According to the popular legend that Shyam Daua and Udaybhan son of Jujhar Singh refused to convert, so they were detained by the Mughal army in a battle and killed. It is said that Shyam Daua’s wife performed sati a ritual of suicide by the widows of warriors who died in battle. This mansion is known as Shyam Daua Ki Kothi which is turned as ruins.
This marvelous Mansion is built with decorated three storeyed entrance arched gateways. High rise Iwan was provisioned with a stone archway which is carved with lotus on either side. This was the front façade. Two upper storeys provided the multifoiled arched windows and were built with geometrical figures lattices except the middle floor’s centre is a hanging balcony supported by the ornate stone brackets. Infact this balcony is raised in centre as chhajja is built which is supported by the stone brackets. Signs of the lattices are clearly visible middle and upper floor. The roof of the third storey is similar to a palanquin which is richly decorated with petals and sides were probably decorated with elephant statues. Decoration work in the form of floral motifs and blind arches including niches was done on the ceiling of Iwan, walls etc by stucco. At the corners decorated columns are made with the use of plaster. This magnificent residence has two courtyards. The rooms around the first courtyard are ruined whereas the second courtyard has the remains of verandahs and rectangular rooms on three sides. Verandahs roofs are supported by multifoil arches and their pillars are decorated with stucco. Vaulted roofs were built in the rooms. It was built with a circular water well which is covered with grilled mesh for safety.
Still the remains of this Kothi are spectacular and attraction for history buffs and art and architecture lovers.