Located at the centre of the State of Madhya Pradesh in India, Jabalpur district is one of the most important cities in the State. It is situated in the 'Mahakaushal' Region of the State and gets its name from history being the native land of the great 'Jabali Rishi'. The holy 'Narmada' river flows through the district which is the major drinking water source for the district. There is a multipurpose 'Bargi Dam' Project on this river. Known world-over for its 'Marble Rocks' and the 'Dhuandhar' waterfalls, the tourist site 'Bhedaghat' is also located in the district. The 'Madan Mahal fort' is also located in the city of Jabalpur.
History of Jabalpur
The city of Jabalpur was the capital of the erstwhile medieval Gond rulers. It is not only an important historical place, but it is also famous for the Marble Rocks gorge on Narmada River, near it. It is an administrative and educational center and is the gateway to important wildlife sanctuaries around it. It is one of the largest cities in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. The origin of Jabalpur goes back to ancient times. It was then known as Tripuri and was governed by Hayahaya rulers. The ancient Indian epic of Mahabharata has references to his city. It became a part of the great Mauryan and the Gupta Empires. In ad 875, it was taken over by the Kalchuri dynasty who made Jabalpur their capital. In the 13th century, the Gonds seized it and made it their capital. By the early 16th century, it had become the powerful kingdom of Gondwana. From time to time, the Mughal rulers tried to overrun it. The legendary Gond Queen Rani Durgavati died fighting the Mughal forces led by the great Mughal Emperor Akbar. It finally fell to the Marathas in 1789 and was taken over by the British in 1817, when they defeated the Marathas. The British made Jabalpur the commission headquarters of the Narmada territories and established a cantonment here.
Places of Interest
Built by the Gond ruler,Raja Madan Shah, in 1116 atop a rocky hill, the fort dominates the skyline and provides a panoramic view of the town and the country-side around it.
- Sangram Sagar and Bajana Math
These medieval constructions were built by the famous Gond king,Sangram Shah between 1480-1540.
The place from where Mahatma Gandhi's ashes were immersed in the Narmada, and venue of the opensession of the Tripuri Congress in 1939;the 12th century Mala Devi Mandir; Pisan Hari Jain Temples and Roopnath are some of the other places in and around Jabalpur.
The Small village of Jabalpur tehsil situated on the bank of river Narmada and widely famous for its marble Rocks is at a distance about 21 Km from Jabalpur by road. Soaring in glittering splendour, the Marble Rocks at Bhedaghat rise to a hundred feet on either side of the Narmada. The serene loveliness of the scene is one of cool quiet, the sunlight sparkling on the marble-white pinnacles and casting dappled shadows on the pellucid waters. It has a serene beautiful nature.
The Narmada, making its way through the Marble Rocks, Narrows down and then plunges in a waterfall Rocks, narrow down and then plinges in a waterfall known as Dhuandhar or the smoke cascade. So powerful is the plunge that its roar is heard from a far distance, The falls and the breaking of the volume of water at the crest present an awesome spectacle of Nature's power unleashed.
Situated atop a hillock and approached by a long flight of steps, the Chausat Yogini Temple commands a singularly beautiful view of the Narmada flowing through the jagged Marble Rocks. Dedicated to Goddess Durga, this 10th century temple has exquisitely carved stone figures of deities belonging to the Kalchuri period. According to a local legend,this ancient temple is connected to the Gond Queen Durgavati's palace through an underground passage.
- RaniDurgavati Memorial and Museum
Dedicated to the memory of the great Queen Durgavati is her memorial and a museum which houses a fine collection of sculptures, inscriptions and prehistoric relics.
More about the city
The city is also known by a typical Hindi name, Sanskardhani, or a veritable urn of culture. The salubrious environs of the virgin hills and the charm of River Narmada was an attraction for the Saints and hermits from all over India. The city was the favourite of Kings and Maharajas looking for relaxation amid hills, lakes and waterfalls. The hills of Jabalpur, with varied mineral content are the preferred destination for geologists and archaeologists. Palaeontologists, with the finding of a fossilized Dinosaur, come in hordes looking for some more clues on the world before the last Ice Age.
The exceptional topography of Jabalpur with hills all around the city gives it a picturesque setting. Some of the Hindi movies have been shot here. The picturesque setting though is a nightmare for town planners and developers. The Central Railways has constructed railway lines winding along these hills, somewhat akin to a horseshoe. A railway journey to the city is a singular experience with beatific old world charm.
The town, on the Varanasi-Nagpur NH-7 is well connected with the North and South India. The Jabalpur Airport located about 12 miles from the city has limited facilities. Recently the low priced Deccan Airlines has started flights from Delhi and Bhopal to the city. The authorities realizing the importance of the city on the tourist map have made plans of upgrading the airport.
The city has the typical hot and dry temperate of the Great Indian Plateau. Jabalpur is hot during summers with temperatures up to 47 degree Celsius and winters bring it to the freezing point of water. The July to September months bring heavy rains with the onset of the South Western monsoon. The October to March window during the winters is suitable for a visit to the city.
The city of about one and half million people has had its share in the freedom struggle of India, with personalities like Lokmanya Tilak, Mahatama Gandhi, Subhash Chandra Bose conducting rallies in Jabalpur. The city is also home to many reputed educational institutions, contributing a large professional workforce to the developing Indian economy.
It is a city with leftist leanings, loathing the capitalist juggernaut with vehemence. It is the breeding grounds for many movements; the famous Narmada Bachao Andolan got resounding support from this city. The city with anathema for capitalism is a fairly inexpensive and highly satisfying tourist destination.