The fort and other structures within it were built by the Bundela Rajputs starting from the early 16th century by King Rudra Pratap Singh of the Orchha State and others who followed him.

Notable architectural features in the fort complex are projecting balconies, open flat areas and decorated latticed windows.

[4] The fort was built following the founding of the Orchha State in 1501 AD by Rudra Pratap Singh (r. 1501–1531), a Bundela Rajput.

[1] The palaces and temples within the fort complex were built over a period of time by successive Maharajas of the Orchha State.

[5][2][6] The features of "pepper pots and domes"[7] seen in the fort complex, inspired Lutyens in the architecture of the structures which he built in New Delhi.

[3] Notable architectural features seen in the fort complex consist of projected balconies, open flat areas and decorated latticed windows.

Its exterior is simple and unembellished, but the interior chambers of the palace are elaborately royal in their architectural design, decorated with murals of social and religious themes of gods, mythical animals, and people.

[1][2] Its windows, arcaded passages, and layout plan are designed in such a way that the "sunlight and shadow create areas of different moods and temperatures throughout the day".

[1][9] The temple is guarded by a police force and the deity, Lord Rama, is considered as the king and is given a gun salute of honour every day.

This was built for Rai Parveen, the female escort of the Raja Indrajit; her large-size portrait in a revealing and seductive attire adorns hall in this Mahal.

[1][11] The building is a double-storied structure built with bricks, rising to the height of the trees in the surrounding, Anand Mahal gardens.

But Parveen, who wanted to get out of the situation, composed a gazal or a couplet which stated her status as an already used woman not fit for an emperor, which enabled her to get release from Akbar's court and return to Orchha.