In Orchha there are three large independent palaces representing three distinct periods. Thefirst palace was Ramji Mandir,begun by Rudra Pratap in 1501 and continued into the reign of his successor Bharti Chand(1531-54). The second palace was Raj Mandir, built upon anisland within the River Betwa by Madhukar Shah(1554-92) throughout the period of his reign and possibly into that of his son Ram Shah(1592-1605). The third palace is JahangirMahal,constructed in honour of the Mughal emperor by Bir Singh Deo from 1605, on the siteof an earlier structure built around 1586. All three palaces are square courtyard structureswith plain crenellated exterior walls crowned by cendtops. It has 8 rooms decorated with oldfurnishing and attached bath.