The head of Bundela, Rudra Pratap Singh founded Orchha State in 1501 AD and ruled the region until 1531. He built a fort near Betwa River and moved the state’s capital from Garhkundar to Orchha. Bharatichand was the son of Rudra Pratap Singh who became the next king. Bharatichand died without a child in 1554 and his younger brother, Madhukar Shah took over. During the reign of these two rulers of Orchha, Islam Shah Suri from Afghan origin and Mughal Emperor Akbar attacked the territory.

Muslim Invasion

The famous court poet of Orchha State, Keshavdas mentioned about Bharatichand’s defeat against the Mughals. Akbarnama from Mughal Empire mentions the fact that Madhukar lost against Akbar in the 1570s and was willing pay tributes to the Mughals. However, a historian named Abd al-Qadir Bada differs from Akbarnama’s statement and calls Madhukar a rebel in 1583.

An important event in Orchha history was when the vassal of Mughal Emperor Jahangir named Vir Singh Deo ruled the state till 1626. Several beautiful palaces were built during the reign of Vir Singh Deo, including architectural masterpieces such as Jahangir Mahal and Sawan Bhadon Mahal.

Loss against Shah Jahan

Raja Jhujhar Singh tried to fight against Shah Jahan bravely in 1600s but lost badly. The territory went into the hands of Mughals from 1635 to 1641 completely and finally the earlier raja’s brother was made the next ruler. Orchha was the only Bundela state which never came completely under the control of Marathas in the 18th century. Tikamgarh was a town in Tehri which became the capital of Orchha state in 1783. Tikamgarh fort was later built in Tehri.

Loss against Rani Laxmi Bai

Hamir Singh ruled from 1848 to 1874 and was named Maharaja in 1865. Orchha and Datia army tried attacking Jhansi in 1857 but were defeated in August 1857 by the courageous Rani Laxmi Bai and her army. Maharaja Pratap Singh became the next king in 1874 and is remembered for undertaking several engineering and irrigation projects.

British Raj

Orchha state became a part of Bundelkhand Agency in 1908. Out of all the Bundela States, Orchha Princely State was the oldest and highest in rank. It got a 15-gun salute, and its maharajas were called First of the Prince of Bundelkhand.

After Independence

Vir Singh was the next king in orchha princely state history. Under his regime, the state became a part of the Union of India on 1st January 1950. Orchha became a part of Vindhya Pradesh state which went on to become a part of Madhya Pradesh state in 1956.