Once the capital city of the Bundelas, Orchha is now just a village, set among a complex of well-preserved palaces and temples. It's definitely worth  a visit. Tour groups do it in a couple of hours but it's a wonderfully relaxing place to stay, and you can even get a room in part of the palace here.

Orchha was founded in 1531 and remained the capital of a powerful Rajput Kingdom until 1763, when nearby Tikamgadh became the new capital. Bir Singh Deo ruled from Orchha between 1605 and 1627 and built the Jhansi Fort. A favourite of the Mughal prince Salim, he feuded with Akbar and in 1602 narrowly escaped the emperor's displeasure; his kingdom was all but ruined by Akbar's forces.

Orchha golden age was during the first half of the 17th century. When Jehangir visited the city in 1606, a special palace, the Jehangir Mahal, was built for him. Latter, both Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb raided the city. For this medieval city, the hand of time has rested lightly and the palaces and temples built by its Bundela rulers in  the 16th and 17th century and retain much of their pristine perfection .