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Imperial Gazetteer of India, v. 19, p. 244.

244 ORCHHA STATE happy brother has been exalted into a local deity, small platforms at which he is worshipped being set up in every village in the country, and his sad end being the subject of numerous local songs. In 1634-5 Jhujhar Singh went into open rebellion. He was pursued by the Mughal forces, and he and his son were driven into the Gondwana jungles, where both were killed. From 1635 to 1641 the Orchha State was without a ruler and virtually ceased to exist. During this period, however, the Bundela clan was represented by the chiefs of DATtn and CHANDER1 and Champat Rai, whose more famous son Chhatarsal was the founder of PANNA. In 1641 Shah Jahan granted to Pahar Singh (1641-53), a son of Bir Singh Deo, the chiefship of Orchha, in the hope that it would put an end to the ravages of Champat Rai. The Orchha State, however, possessed but little power, though the chief was always recognized as the head of the clan and consulted in all family disputes. He was followed by Sujan Singh (1653-72), Indramani (1672-5), Jaswant Singh (1675-84), and Bhagwat Singh (1684-9). The chiefs of Bundelkhand served the Mughal emperors loyally in their expeditions to Badakhshan and else- where. During the time of Maharaja Udot Singh (1689-1735), the Marathas commenced operations in Bundelkhand. In 1729 Chhatarsal called in the Peshwa to his assistance, and much territory formerly belonging to the Bundelas passed to the Marathas. Udot Singh was succeeded by Prithwi Singh (1735-52), during whose time more land was lost to the Marathas, his circumstances being such that he pos- sessed practically only the town of Orchha, while his retinue consisted of fifty sepoys and one elephant. Sanwant Singh (1752-65) received the title of Mahendra from Alamgir II. He was followed by Hate Singh (1765-8), Man Singh (x768-75), Bharti Chand (1775-6), and Vikramajit (1776-1817). Vikramajit entered into relations with the British by a treaty made in 1812. He abdicated in favour of his son Dharam Pal in 1817, but on Dharam Pal's death in 1834 resumed charge of the State. He died the same year and was succeeded by his brother Tej Singh (1834-4r). The next chief, Sujan Singh, died in 1854 and was followed by Hamir Singh (1854-74), who received a sanad of adoption in 1862. He was suc- ceeded by his brother Pratap Singh, the present chief. All transit dues were abolished in 188o. The tribute payable to the British Govern- ment for the Tahrauli pargana was remitted for the good services rendered during the Mutiny. In 1884 Pratap Singh ceded all land required for railways in his territory. The ruler of the State bears the titles of His Highness and Saramad-i-Rajaha-i-Bundelkhand Maharaja Mahendra Sawai Bahadur, and receives a salute of 17 guns, 2 being personal to the present chief, who was made a G.C.I.E. in 19oo, and a G.C.S.I. in 19o6.