In the heart of Madhya Pradesh, the medieval Datia Palace commands attention as it towers over the desolate surroundings. Left to the elements for more than four centuries, this magnificent structure stands alone in the quiet town of Datia, witnessing solitude since its construction, save for a single night.
Such is the tale of the Datia Palace.
Before the Sindhias came to power in Gwalior and other parts of Madhya Pradesh, the region was under the rule of the mighty Mughal Empire. However, during the empire’s peak, Emperor Akbar found himself in conflict with his eldest son and heir, Crown Prince Salim.
In a significant turn of events, Salim rebelled against his father and established his court in present-day Allahabad. Concerned about the rift, Akbar dispatched his trusted prime minister, Abul Fazl, to persuade Salim to return to Delhi.
Abul Fazl, known to oppose Salim’s claim to the throne, saw an opportunity to eliminate the young prince during this mission. Meanwhile, Salim, anticipating Abul Fazl’s intentions, prepared for the worst. It was during this tense time that Bir Singh Deo, a relatively insignificant landlord in the political landscape, approached Salim with a proposal to eliminate the empire’s vizier.
Bir Singh Deo, although not a prominent figure in regional politics, shared Salim’s grievances against Emperor Akbar and had previously led rebellions against his rule.
Refusing to pay taxes or engaging in minor acts of rebellion against the emperor may be one thing, but orchestrating the assassination of his vizier is a far more serious matter. The motivation behind Bir Singh Deo’s bold actions remains a mystery, but one version of the story suggests that it was Crown Prince Salim who sought out Bir Singh Deo’s assistance, rather than the other way around. If this version holds true, Bir Singh Deo faced a difficult dilemma: either support the empire and risk alienating the future emperor, or aid a rebellious prince and incur the wrath of the most powerful figure in the land.
Nevertheless, Bir Singh Deo proceeded with the audacious mission, successfully cornering Abul Fazal and carrying out the assassination. As a gesture of loyalty to Salim, Bir Singh Deo presented the severed head of the once influential Mughal courtier to the crown prince.
Despite the prince’s gratitude and even extending a hand of friendship, Bir Singh Deo found himself squarely in the sights of Emperor Akbar after the assassination of Abul Fazal. He became a marked man, wanted by the empire.
Enraged by the loss of one of his favored courtiers, Akbar launched numerous expeditions in pursuit of vengeance. Despite his precarious situation, Salim, protected by his status as crown prince, continued to provide Bir Singh Deo with crucial information, aiding his evasion of the relentless pursuit.
For the following years, Bir Singh Deo lived on the run, narrowly escaping repeated attempts on his life through sheer luck.
Just when it seemed like Bir Singh Deo would be branded an outlaw indefinitely, a significant shift occurred with the passing of Emperor Akbar. By this time, Crown Prince Salim had reconciled with his father and, upon Akbar’s death, ascended the throne, adopting the regnal name Jahangir.
As the new emperor, Jahangir decided to halt the pursuit of Bir Singh Deo, the man who had once saved his life and played a crucial role in securing his position as the ruler of Orchha.
Years later, when Emperor Jahangir expressed his desire to reunite with his old friend Bir Singh Deo, he initiated the construction of 52 buildings within the kingdom as a gesture of goodwill. Among these structures was the palace in Datia, intended to serve as a resting place for the emperor during his journey.
Known by various names including Bir Singh Deo Palace and Satkhanda Palace, the Datia Palace was specifically built for this purpose. However, according to the arrangement, Emperor Jahangir spent only one night at the palace before continuing his journey to Orchha. As it was a gift from the emperor, neither Bir Singh Deo nor his family ever utilized the palace for their personal needs. Consequently, the Datia Palace remained deserted and untouched for over four centuries.
