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Narsinghpur is a city in Madhya Pradesh in central India. It is a district under Jabalpur division. Narsinghpur has a large temple dedicated to Lord Narasimha. As of 2001, Narsinghpur is the most literate district of the state.

History

Prehistory

alt=Rock painting at Vinaiki|thumb|Rock Paintings Depicting Hunting of Animals

alt=Triangular headed man with a sword|thumb|Human with sword. This hints that the paintings are from the Iron Age

The earliest signs of human life in Narsinghpur were found recently in the caves of Vinaiki village

(Narsinghpur) which lies on the banks of Shakkar river (tributary of Narmada), in the hinterlands of Kareli Forest Zone (a part of Satpura reserve) in Narsinghpur. Most of the villagers are Gonds and they knew about the paintings for a long time. Locals call the rock paintings found in their village by the name 'Putra Putariya' (पुतरा पुतरिया).The actual age of the rock paintings is not yet determined. Analysis by the Department of Archaeology is awaited.

The axe, bow and arrows, and swords can be seen in the pictures. The rock paintings depict humans riding and playing with horses and elephants. Humans are also seen hunting animals like deers. Sheep, Wild boar, Buffaloes, and Barahsingha can also be seen. One of the rock paintings is of humans with armed axes and a peculiar headgear. Some of the paintings are of a clear red color similar to those found in Bhimbetika, while some are gray. Pictures have also been described in some script which is yet to be identified. It is within the radius of 150 kilometers from the Bhimbetka rockshelters of Raisen and about 100&nbsp;km away from Adamgadh hills.

The Satavahana period

This area was a part of the Satavahana Empire from the 2nd to the 4th centuries CE, after which, it was annexed into the Gupta Empire during the reign of the Emperor Samudragupta. There is some historical evidence for Padi rule. There is no record of this area until the 9th century CE, when the Kalachuri kingdom was established. The Kalchuri capital was near the Narmada river, later established at Tripuri.

Among the followers of Sangram Shah, Dalpati Shah ruled for a period of 7 years peacefully. After, this Queen Durgawati took the reign and gave a proof of courage or bravery, and ruled for a period of 16 years (1540–1564). In 1564, the Queen died, while fighting bravely, giving a tough fight to Asaf Khan, the Sepoy Salar of King Akbar. In Narsinghpur district, at the castle fort of Chauragarh, Asaf Khan trapped prince Veer Narayan and killed him with his cunning tactics. Thus Garha Katanga came under control of Mugals in 1564, Gonds Mugals. After then the area was under control of various officers and administrative or hereditary chiefs during the Maratha's rule. The boundaries of the area continued to change according to the powers and influence of their people. Chawarpatha, Barha, Saikheda, Gadarwara, Shahpur, Singhpur, Shrinagar, and Tendukheda were headquarters of various parganas

In 18 century the ruler of Narsinghpur Thakur ji was killed by British rulers and the fort of narsinghpur was totally destroyed. There are a number of sites of interest to archaeologists in the area, as the area has been inhabited since the second century AD, according to historical documents from that time. Narsinghpur has a number of sacred sites, including a nearby cave associated with Adi Guru Shankracharya's place of meditations and studies. The Gonds also called Parakarti Pujak

Bhonsle Rulers

In 1785, Madhavji Bhonsle purchased the area of Mandla and Narmada Ghati in 27 lakhs. The area was under pressure of army rule during the reign of Raghuji Bhonsle, Nawab of Bhopal and Pindari. Due to unsuitability of the ruler and other problems, the common people were extremely exploited. This period was also known as a period of problems and instability. However, after the defeat of Bhosles in Battle of Sitabuldi in 1817, British rule came into existence in the area. It has an average elevation of .

Agriculture

Narsinghpur district is well known for its fertile land. The black soil is suited for any kind of cultivation and there are adequate irrigation facilities. The district is famous for its rich agricultural production. It is situated in the upper part of Narmada Valley, which is of much important for agriculture. The district's production of grains is more than the local requirement. For agriculture both old and new techniques are equally in practice. For old equipment, there are ploughs, bullock carts, bakhar, , and various types of knives and khurpi. In new methods or techniques, there are: thrashers, tractors, harvesters, electric pumps and sprinklers. Along with these better quality seeds and the best quality pesticides are used. which is produced in large quantity and a major source of income. Narsinghpur is the largest producer of soybeans in the Madhya Pradesh. Soybean is used for oil extraction, and sugarcane for sugar and gur. Narsinghpur alone contributes about 80% of sugarcane production of MP.

Apparently Kareli (tehsil) is biggest gud mandi of India. Sugar industry has seen a significant progress in the last decade.

Gur/sugar from sugarcane:

In many places, gur has been prepared from sugarcane all over the district. Kareli is very famous for Gur Mandi. In Narsinghpur, Kareli, Tendukheda and Gadarwara there are sugar mills.

Beedi industry:

This work is mainly done in Narsinghpur, Gadarwara, Shridham.

Daal Mills:

Tuwar (arhar) pulses are prepared mainly at Narsinghpur and Gadarwara.

Oil Mills:

There are many oilmills in the district where soya bean, groundnut and tilli oil are extracted. That's located in Gadarwara, Kareli and Narsinghpur.

Other industries include cement pipes, paper mills, plastic and rubber, leather goods, earthen utensils and pots. Poultry farms, goat farming, and fish farming.

Gotitoriya is now producing coal. This open cast mine is owned by BLA industries. Narsimhapur had a population of 46,120. Males constituted 52% of the population and females 48%. Narsimhapur has had an average literacy rate of 77%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 82%, and female literacy is 72%. In Narsimhapur, 12% of the population is under 6 years of age. Bundelkhandi is prominent language along with Hindi.

Climate

Narsinghpur has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification Cwa) bordering tropical savanna climate (Aw). The climate is generally pleasant except in summer. Waves move slowly except during the south-west monsoon. The district's usual minimum temperature rests around , and the maximum temperature rises up to . May is the hottest month of the year. It is very excessively hot during summer, and in the end of this season dust storms come. When the monsoon arrives, the hygrometer mercury goes very low. The district's 90% rainfall is observed during monsoon months only; i.e., June to September. The average rainfall is of 60 days per year, and measures approximately . During December–January it is cold, and the average temperature during day time is around and at night. Sometimes cold waves also occur, and heavy fog is also observed.

Tourism

Narsimha Mandir

During the 18th century this temple was constructed by Jat Sardars and plane statue of Lord Narsimha, as a human avatar of Lord Vishnu having a lion's head. This is situated at District H.Q. This temple got its importance as the district's nomenclature hails from here only. There is a lake behind the Temple. But that lake is not clean, Government is working on it. Few years later from now it will be a Tourism point.

Bramhan Ghat

Bramhan Ghat, also known as Barman, is situated at mani Sagar N.H. 26 & 24, and away from Kareli railway station, and the bank of river Narmada. Lord Brahma's Yagya shala, Rani Durgawati temple, Elephant gate and Varahas statue are places of tourist interest there. The Narmada River flows in seven strains. It flows on the occasions of Makar Sankranti to Basant Panchami. Mela has been arranged in which District Administration also takes part. Also organized are different stalls of the district Govt. Depot. This exhibition has the display of the Agriculture Depot, co-operative, education, and health. Different beneficial schemes information and achievement have shown throes which people get benefit out of this exhibition, and also avail the district out of 20% on different sale items.

01. 487771 - Salichauka

02. 487441 - Sihora (Narsinghpur)

03. 487770 - Chichli

04. 487221 - Kareli

05. 487001 - Narsinghpur

06. 487330 - Barman

07.487118 - Gotegaon

08. 487225 - Amgaon Bada

09. 487661 - Sainkheda (Narsinghpur)

10. 487555 - Kaudia

11. 487881 - Sali Choka Road

12. 487110 - Singhpur (Narsinghpur)

13. 487337 - Sagoni Tendukheda

14. 487551 - Jawaharganj Gadarwara

15. 487114 - Karakbel

16. 487334 - Dobhi

References

  • Official website