Orchha,historic town, Tīkamgarh district, north-central Madhya Pradesh state, central India, on the Betwa River. The town, surrounded by thick jungle that long made it impregnable, was founded in 1531 and served until 1783 as the capital of the former Orchha princely state. An island in the Betwa, approached by a causeway, contains a large 17th-century fort and palace. Other buildings of historic historical interest are several temples and a palace of the Mughal emperor Jahāngīr (reigned 1605–27), an excellent example of Muslim domestic architecture. There are also several cenotaphs of the Orchha rulers. Two fairs are held annually. Orchha declined with the transfer of the capital to Tīkamgarh Tikamgarh in 1783.