Built in the seventeenth century by the Orchha ruler, Raja Vir Singh, this imperial palace is a majestic structure. It speaks out loud the friendship between Vir Singh and Emperor Jahangir. Their friendship dated back to the times when they were not even monarchs. Vir Singh built this palace in the honor of his great friend Jahangir. This was a tribute to their friendship.
The palace has 5 storeys. It also houses around 8 pavilions. The façade of the palace is decorated with numerous geometric patterns and various paintings of peacocks and flowers. On the 3rd floor, there is a court where the Orchha ruler used to meet his subjects. This court is raised above the superimposed arcades. There is a broad gallery that overlooks it. A reddish brown colored cornice that runs along its periphery bound the court.
Vir Singh, before becoming the Maharaja, possessed the Badoni fief, which is located in between Gwalior and Orchha. During that time, the relationship between Emperor Akbar and Jahangir was getting bitter due to Anarkali. Salim alias Jahangir revolted against his father Akbar and the latter decided to suppress the rebellion. Vir Singh thought of helping his dear friend Jahangir. After Akbar died, Jahangir thought of repaying the favor of Vir Singh by giving the charge of Bundelkhand to him. In 1606, Vir built the Jahangir Mahal to honor his friend.
