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Inside the Jhansi Fort is the Ganesh Temple used by the royal family for the worship. (Click on the images for bigger picture)
This is a simple temple built in a very small area very close to the gate. In Jhansi (state: Uttar Pradesh) this is one of the most popular temple. The wall behind the temple is the inner walls of the fort. A tour of fort is not complete without a visit to this temple.
Orchha (State: Madhya Pradesh) has an imposing fort, dating back to the 16th century. The fort complex contains magnificent palaces of the Bundela kings presenting a matchless spectacle of those times. (Click on the images for bigger picture)
The complex has 3 palaces:
Raj Mahal - Bundela kings residential palace. a massive square building of which the exterior is almost absolutely plain.
Jehangir Mahal - a square building, but far more ornate, a singularly beautiful specimen of Hindu domestic architecture.
Rai Praveen Mahal - built in memory of the famous poetess and musician, Rai Parveen, the beautiful courtesan of Raja Indramani.
The fort of Jhansi popularly known as Jhansi Fort is built on hilltop in 1613. The Fort is an architectural delight for his sheer size and the structure. The fort spread across 15 acres of land is about 312m in length and 225m in width. (Click on the images for bigger picture)
There are 10 gates providing access to this fort. Some of these are Khanderao Gate, Datia Darwaza, Unnao Gate, Jharna Gate, Laxmi Gate, Sagar Gate, Orcha Gate, Sainyar Gate and Chand gate.
Rani Laxmi Bai of Jhansi, inspired patriotism in heart of all her subjects. This particular cannon in the above image is operated by Moti Bai a dancer in the royal court. While defending the fort from the enemies not only men, even women of the state fought bravely.
The Jhansi fort (state: Uttar Pradesh) is built by Raja Vir Singh Judeo of Orcha in 1613 on a hilltop called Bangra. The fort covers a sprawling area of 15 acres and this massive fortification with 22 bastions measures about 312m in length and 225m in width. (Click on the images for bigger picture)
There are 10 gates to enter this fort. The important sights in the fort are the two temples - Shiva temple, Ganesh temple, the palace - Panch Mahal, and the Kadak Bijli cannon used in the freedom struggle of 1857.
The fort was a residence of Rani Laxmi Bai of Jhansi, who fought British army and attained martyrdom. In the fort one of the most important location is the place from where queen jumped out of the fort on horseback. She tied her adopted son on her back and jumped from top of the fort on her horse Pavan. The height of the fort walls on the hillock clearly highlights the courage she had shown.
Once out of the fort she regrouped her army and attacked Gwalior Fort which was under the control of British. She successfully captured this much bigger fort from the British.
From Datia we traveled to Jhansi which is at a distance of 34kms. This place is known for the fort of Rani Laxmi Bai situated in the hilly area. (Click on the images for bigger picture)
Jhansi (state: Uttar Pradesh) is part of Uttar Pradesh state. We covered this in our tour of Madhya Pradesh as it very close to the borders of the state. Another reason being passing through this place also reduces the travel time. Most important reason is I would not have missed the chance to see the fort after being so close to it.
Back from Mitavali in Gwalior we went straight to Gwalior Fort after covering Jai Vilas Palace. (Click on all the images for bigger picture)
The magnificent Gwalior Fort is built by rulers of Tomar Dynasty in the 15th century on a sandstone cliff, which is 2.8km long from the North to the South and 200-850m wide from east to west and 91 m above the surrounding plains. A majority portions of the fort was built during the reign of Raja Man Singh. The fort walls which are 35ft high and two miles in length, has been influenced by both Hindu and Muslim architecture.
This awe-inspiring fort with two main entrances, encloses three complexes, six palaces, temples and a number of water tanks. Inside the fort there are some wonders of medieval architecture. On the eastern side the fort can be approached from Eastern Gate known as Gwalior Gate which leads pedestrian path while on the western side is Urbai Gate which is the motor able way.
The northern end has Jhangir Palace (5), Shah Jahan Palace, Karna Mahal, Vikram Mahal and Jal Johar Kund. These structures without the proper maintenance are sadly getting ruined. Gurdwara Data Bandi Chhod (6) is the new addition to the fort and has been constructed very recently. Near the Eastern Gate is Man Mandir Palace and it has been maintained quite well. Other structures that are maintained well are the temples. In the next sections we will cover the following in some detail:
- Man Mandir Palace
- Sahastrabahu Temple
- Teli-Ka Mandir
- Gujari Mahal
Along with palaces, and other attractions we set our eyes on exploring the most important tourist attractions of the city i.e., the forts. The third fort in Jaipur we followed after the Nahargarh Fort and Jaigarh Fort is Amber Fort.
Built in 1592 on barren ridge by Raja Man Singh, it is one of the finest examples of Rajput architecture. It provides impressive views over a deep narrow valley and the wider plains beyond. It is located on the hills that surround Jaipur. The fort that sprawls along the Maotha Lake, is composed of a massive complex gateways, courts, stairways and pillared pavilions, and palaces.
From the bottom of the hill one can reach the fort over the hill either by using stairways or elephant ride. For a nominal fee they carry two to three people on elephant to the top where front courtyard of the complex exists.
The entire fort complex, is constructed of white and red sandstone. The imposing rugged outlook of the fort is of the stark contrast to to the inside, a lavish ornate interior which is combination of both Hindu and Mughal styles of architecture. Some of the interior walls of the fort are covered with murals, frescoes, and paintings depicting various scenes from daily life. Other walls are covered with intricate carvings, mosaic, and minute mirror work. The front yard is adorned with the marvelous, pillared hall of the Diwan-i-Am, and the two - tiered painted gateway Ganesh Pol. Once you enter through the Ganesh Pol, the structure of special interests inside are Sheesh Mahal, Jas Mandir.
Ganesh Pol in the front yard
Sheesh Mahal
The fort is built on the hill in such a way that it is very difficult to identify where the hill ends and the fort walls begin. The fort at several places has 17 feet thick and 68 feet high walls. 
It is approached by a series of 7 gateways set at an angle so that armies could not charge them with any success. Past the gates, the fort-palace takes one's breath away.
Across from huge courtyards are the palatial apartments that have been built over five centuries of bristling history. The beauty and the grandeur of numerous palaces in the fort narrates a saga of hard sandstones yielding to the chisels of skilled craftsmanship. Only some of the spectacular palaces of the fort are open to the visitors.
These consists of Moti Mahal with its pierced screen windows overlooking the coronation seat where the Rathore ruler have been ritually anointed to rule; Jhanki Mahal, the apartment from where the zenana women would watch ceremonial events; Chandan Mahal, where affairs of state were discussed; the royal Darbar Takhat or throne room with its octagonal throne. 
