Bundela connections with the Mughal court and relations with Rajput princes around the reign of Vir Singh Deo (1602-1628) influenced their indegenous style —often referred to as Chandeli in local vernacular—resulting in the "Bundela Style" in architecture, and an associated wall-painting style, Bundeli Kalam.
Built on top of a granite ridge, the 17th century Vir Singh Deo's palace at Datia consists of a three layered space, 80 meters square and approximately 40m high, with a 'palace-tower'— capped by a mandap — at centre, middle ring of halls and fortified outer layer.
Perspective View, Bir Singh Palace, Datia
Showing the 'palace-tower', two-storied bridges, courtyards and outer walls. The plan diagramme has been described variously as a 'char-bagh', a 'mandala' and a 'swastika-like-pattern' in contemorary literature.
Isometric Projection, Bir Singh Palace, Datia
Showing the Eastern —principle entrance —facade and visible upper part of the building, with five stories of differing heights defined by string courses. Of seven stories, two are below-grade, and mirror layouts from upper floors, representing a dual, winter and summer house pattern.
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"Manthana – The changing myth." In Vistāra - The Architecture of India, Catalogue of the Exhibition, edited by Carmen Kagal. The Festival of India, 1986.
"Chapter XIII, The Seventeenth Century." In Indian Architecture, Its Psychology, Structure, and History from the First Muhannadan Invasion to the Present Day, 199-213. London: John Murray, 1913.