Bhind
Madhya Bharat was formally
inaugurated by Jawahar Lal Nehru, the then Prime Minister of India on 28th May
1948 at Gwalior. Scindhia and Holkar were sworn in as the Rajpramukh and
Up-Rajpramukh, respectively.It was decided to divide the Union into 6 districts
and Bhind was one among them. As a result of reorganization of States on the
formation of new Madhya Pradesh in November , 1956, Bhind district became a
part of new Madhya Pradesh.
Puranic Bhind: During the time of Bharata war the entire between the
Yamuna and the Vindhyas was inhabited by the Chedis.The King Kasu Chaidya
(identified with Vasu of the Mahabharata) is mentioned in a danastuti, found at
the end of the hymn in the Rigveda. he puranic literature represents these
Chedis as an off shoot of the Yadus. According to the puranic tradition, Manu’s
grandson Pururavas Aila, founder of Lunar race , extended his sway into the
Gangetic doab. Malwa and Eastern Rajputana, covering most probably Bhind
district also.His great grandson Yayati is said to have reduced the whole of
Madhyadesha and the surrounding region. After him his son Yadu, projenitor of
Yadavas , became a monarch of the territory , that was watered by Chambal ,
the Betwa and the Ken. The Yadus were supplanted by the Haihayas, who were
again annihilated by the Yadus of Vidarbha. A member of this royal house ,
named Kanishka , became the king of Chedi -desha, comprising all the land lying
to the south of the Yamuna, between the Chambal and the Ken. Thus the District
, evidently lying in the area came under Aryan fold. The Chedi country is
mentioned in the puranic list. It was , one of the Sixteen Mahajanapadas in the
6th Century BC. After some time the Chedi king of the Yadava lineage was over
thrown by Vasu, a descendant of King Kuru of Hastinapur. A few generations
later , the Chedi king of this line was King Shishupala, who abused Lord
Krishna during the Rajasuya ceremony of the Pandavas and was slain by him at
Indraprastha.
The Nandas: In the 4th Century AD , the whole of Aryavartya was
incoperated in the vast empire of the Nandas. According to the Puranic evidence
Mahapadma Nanda the founder of the Dynasty was the destroyer of all the
Kshatrapas ( Sarva Kshatrantaka) and the sole monarch of the earth.
The Mauryas: The distributions of Asoka’s inscriptions indicate
that in the 3rd Century BC he was the master of a vast empire, embracing the
whole of India excepting the four states of extreme south, Asokan inscription
at Gujar (in the adjacent Datia district) testfies the close association of the
Mourya emperor with this region. Asoka inherited his empire from his father and
grand father Bindusara and Chandragupta Mourya.
The Sungas: The last of the Maurya sovereigns, Brihadradha was
murdered by his minister Pashyamitra Sunga in 187 BC and the Sunga dynasty was
estableshed in the Central portion of the Maurya empire . The Sunga kings had
their second capital at Vidisha.
The Early Nagas: In the first century A.D. the Gwalior region was
under the rule of earlier Nagas. Padmavati(in Gwalior District),Mathura and
Kantipuri(Morena District) were the headquarters of the three branches of these
Naga rulers.Later the Kushanas supplanted the Nagas.
The Kushanas: Kanishka was the greatest of the Kushana emperors,
His empire extended over Madhyadesha, Uttarapatha and Aparanta regions of
ancient India strching from Bihar in the east to Khorasan in the west and from
Khotan in the north to Konkan in the south.The District thus , was included in
the Kushana empire. The downfall of Kushana power was complete in this area
after the reign of Vasudeva. Their place was taken up again by the Nagas, who
remained politically prominent in this area durng the third and 4th centuries
AD.
The Nagas: The subsequent Naga rulers, like the earlier Nagas
belonged to the three houses of Mathura , Kanthipuri and Padmavati, and ruled
over territories around Padmavati Mathura and Vidisha. About 270 copper coins
of various types , belonging to the Naga rulers were collected from village
Akoda of Bhind District, some coins were found at Gohad also.
The Guptas: In the middle of the 4th century AD the Naga territory
passed under the Gupta sovereignty.
The Hunas: During the reign of Bhanugupta (AD 495-510), or shortly
before his accession , invasion of the Huna leader Toramana hastened the
dissolution of the Gupta empire. The Huna empire included the territories from
Punjab to Central India; even brought Magadha,Kausambi and Kasi under their
sphere of influence.
The Vardhana Dynasty: In the beginning of the 7th century Ad Harshavardhan
ascended the throne of Thaneshwar and became the king of Kanauj. During this
dynasty Jainism flourished in the region.
The Gurjara Prathiharas: By the second quarter of the 8th century
AD, this region along with Malwa came under the dynastic rule of a branch of
the Gurjara Prathiharas.
The Kancchapaghatas: Vajradaman conquered Gwalior fort for Dhanga
about A.D.977.After that his dynasty ruled over Gwalior region till the earlier
part of the 12th Century.
The Sultanate Period: This region then passed under the occupation
of the Sultans of Delhi. In the year 1195-96 Muhammad Ghuri attacked
Sallakshanapala, the Pratihar chief of Gwalior Sallakshana accepted Ghuri’s
suzerainty and was therefore allowed to rule his territory.
The Sur Dynasty: This region later came under the sway of the Sur
Dynasty.
The Mughals: The District of Bhind formed most part of the Sarkar
of Agra in the Subah of Agra. The district comprised mainly the Mahal of
Hatkant which had a brick fort.the Mughal rule continued till the beginning of
18th Century. The town of Gohad , which is now part of Bhind district , was
founded by a jat family. The tract around this town was captured by the Jat
family in the latter part of the 17th Century.In about 1736 A.D., the Maratha
army led by Baji Rao I, attacked the Raja of Bhadawar, and after putting him to
flight, devastated his territory. Again in 1737, Malhar Rao Holkar attacked the
territory of the Raja of Bhadawar and besieged his stronghold.
Post Mughal Era: Lord Cornwallis I, under another treaty concluded
with the Scindhia in November 1805 , the British are to cede to Maharaja Daulat
Rao Schindia (1784-1827), the fortress of Gwalior and Gohad, including Gird
Gohad and the Pargana of Bhind and it’s fortresses. From there the History of
Bhind District coincide with that of Gwalior tract. Daulat Rao Scindhia died in
1827 and was succeeded by Mugat Rao alia Jankoji Rao, a minor on adoption. He
was succeeded by Jayaji Rao.After the revolt in 1857 (Sipoy revolt) Gwalior was
attacked by the combined forces of Rani Laxmi Bai Rao Saheb and Tatya Tope in
1858. The British then stormed the Gwalior fort and took it on 1858 June 18. It
was passed over to the Scindhia in March 1886. Jayaji Rao Scindhia passed away
in June 1886 leaving behind his son Madhav Rao Scindia. Madhav Rao Scindhia was
invested with ruling powers on 15 December 1894. The period of his rule is
described as one of consolidation and steady progress. The Gwalior Light
railway from Gwalior to Bhind was constructed in 1897 and was started in
1899.On 5th June 1925 He passed away. He was succeeded by Jiwaji Rao Scindia.It
was in his time the Independence movement became strong. The United State of
Madhya Bharat was formally inaugurated by JawaharLal Nehru, on 28 May 1948 at
Gwalior. Scindhia and Holkar were sworn in as the Rajapramukh and UpRajapramukh
respectively.Bhind was one of the 6 districts of Madhya Bharat.
How to Reach
Bhind is well connected by Train
as well as by Bus route.
By Air
Bhind do not have any airport.
The nearest Airport is in Gwalior, which is around 75 KMs from Bhind.
By Rail
The railway line connects Bhind
with Gwalior.This line was constructed by the erstwhile Gwalior State and
opened on 3rd December 1899.The Gwalior light Railway (later known as Scindhia
State railway) was worked by the Great Indian Peninsula Railway Company upto
30th June 1913, after which was taken by the Gwalior Durbar. The line was
integrated into Central Railway on 5th November 1951.
By Road
Road transport is the main mode
of transportation in Bhind.Main link Road of Bhind is Etawah Gwalior State
Highways which connects with MP and UP states. it is 80 Kms from Gwalior and 40
Kms from Etawah.
Places of Interest
Fort of Ater : It
was built by Bhadauria King Badan Singh, Maha Singh and Bakhat Singh in the era
1664-1668 after them the area is known as “BADHWAR”. It is located deep inside
the ravines of Chambal. Now it is in a dilapidated condition.It is located 35
Kms in west of the Bhind city. Transportation is available from 6 Am to 4 Pm.
One can go by bus or jeep which are easily available from the Bus stand/ Ater
Road. The main attractions of the fort are ‘Khooni Darwaza’, ‘Badan Singh Ka
Mahal’, ‘Hathiapor’, ‘Raja Ka Bangla’, ‘Rani Ka Bangla’ and ‘Barah Khamba
Mahal’.
Another fort situated in the
Bhind city was also built by Bhadoriya King to keep control over rebellions in
the era 1654-1684. During Scindia reign Darbar hall was constructed in which at
present a museum is conducted by District Archeological Association Bhind
(M.P).
Vankhandeshwar Temple: It is located in Bhind town. It is a Shiv
Mandir built by the Mandir built by the king, Prathwiraj Chauhan in 1175 AD. It
is told that “Jyoti” is continously flamed since then.
Jain Temples Of Baranso: These are the old temples and their
existence is located to the visit of Lord Mahavir Swami in the area.Located on
Bhind Gwalior Road , 5 Kms in south east of Bhind. The only available means of
transport are tanga or personal vehicle.
Mata Renuka Temple At Jamdara: It is located in Gohad Tehsil near
Mau and is told as the birthplace of Maharshi Parashuram. Folklore linked to
Parashuram is that his father ordered to cut the head of Mother Renuka which he
complied with and as a prize asked for revival of the dead Mother which
Maharshi Jamdagini, his father solicited.The temple was built at the place of
this activity.In the temple the idol of Deity Mother Renuka with a separated
head is there in the temple.
Naraddev Temple: It is a Shiv Temple located on the banks of river,
Sindh. It is old and Maharshi Narad worshipped here. It is being renovated.
The Fort Of Gohad : It was built by Jat Kings Maha Singh in 16th
century .The fort is dilapidated but a Mahal is still housing several
Government offices. The fine carvings of Mahal is still worth viewing.The
‘Kachhari Mahal’ is a unique example of the Iranian Art. One can reach there by
bus.Apart from these places, the world famous ravines are the places worth
visiting. These are providing hide out in the district to law disobeying
persons. Five rivers which flow around the district mainly Pahuj, Sindh,
Kunwari, Chambal and Yamuna meet together in an area of 2 kms named as
“PACHNADA” The places just neighboring to the district are actually located in
U.P. but this is a rare phenomenon where five rivers confluence at one
juncture.
Tourist Places
Chhatri of Malhar Rao Holkar Alampur
Category: Historic
Chhatri of Malhar Rao Holkar was
erected by Maharani Ahilya Bai Holkar in 1766 A.D to honor the great Maratha
general. It stands apart with its beautiful carvings and magnificent
architecture. It has resemblance with the pattern of the chhatris of Holkar
rulers at Indore which is ornately carved with floral and leaf patterns. The
Maratha style chhatri represents a beautiful blend of shikhar dome and arch, on
which Kalash has been made in a very attractive manner. The first storey of the
chhatri is a pillared hall decorated with fascinating paintings.
Vankhandeshwar Temple
Category: Religious
Fort Of Ater
Category: Historic
It was built by Bhadauria King
Badan Singh, Maha Singh and Bakhat Singh in the era 1664-1668 after them the
area is known as “BADHWAR”. It is located deep inside the ravines of Chambal.
Now it is in a dilapidated condition.It is located 35 Kms in west of the Bhind
city. Transportation is available from 6 Am to 4 Pm. One can go by bus or jeep
which are easily available from the Bus stand/ Ater Road.The main attractions
of the fort are ‘Khooni Darwaza’, ‘Badan Singh Ka Mahal’, ‘Hathiapor’, ‘Raja Ka
Bangla’, ‘Rani Ka Bangla’ and ‘Barah Khamba Mahal’.
Culinary Delights:
Peda / Gujiya / Kalakand
Type: Desserts
The people of Bhind have ever
been fond of eating. On one hand, they love spicy and deep fried foods with a
lot of chilly and sault, on the other side, they dote on sweets. This is why,
even its small villages are famous for a variety of sweetmeats. The visitors
and tourists never forget to taste ‘Para ki Gujiya’ or ‘Kalakand of Mehada.’
In
adiition to these sweets, Bhind is very famous for ‘Dwarika ke Peda.’ There are
hundreds of branches of the firm. It also exports the ‘pedas’ abroad.Today the
firm ‘Dwarika’ has become a brand name. It is so popular that the district is
known by its name.
Panipuri / Golgappa
Type: Snacks
Bhind is widely known across the
country for its association with one of the most yummy and mouth-watering
street snack popularly known as Panipuri or Golgappa. Though this innocuous
dish has its origin in the Magadh region, it is not an exaggeration that Bhind
made it an addiction to the king and clown. In Bhind district, the making of
crisp semolina and flour mixed puris has emerged as a cottage industry.
Thousands
of people are earning their bread and butter out of this street food. The
innocuous deep fried small crispy puri filled up with goodies and flavoured
water, and surprisingly cheaper in cost attracts the crowd, especially the
women to relish. In India, from east to west and north to south, in every town
whether small or big, the stalls and ‘thelas’ bannered as ‘Bhind ki Panipuri or
Golgappa’ can be seen.
Festival
The Fair of Bhujariya
Celebrated on/during: August
Significance:
The Fair of Bhujariya’ is
associated with the name of Allha and Udal, the great warriors of Mahoba. It is
celebrated with great enthusiasm on the eve of “Rakshabandan” at Gauri Lake. On
this day people exchange honors to one another by offering new shoots of wheat.
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