Khargone district General information
Khargone formerly known as West Nimar District, is a district of Madhya Pradesh state in central India. The district lies in Nimar region, and is part of Indore Division. Western Nimar region is on the southern banks of river Narmada. Surrounded by Vindhyachal and Satpura ranges, it lies on the natural path from North India to South India. Ruled by "Pramars", "Peshawas" & "Holkers", it is naturally a historically important place. Area of the district is 8030 sq.km. The district is surrounded by Dhar, Indore & Dewas in the north, state of Maharashtra in the south, Khandwa , Burhanpur in the east and Barwani in the West.
History
The district has a long history. In ancient period, the Haihayas of Mahishmati (present day Maheshwar)ruled this region. In early medieval age, the area was under the Paramars of Malwa and the Ahirs of Asirgarh. In late medieval age, the area was under Malwa sultanate of Mandu. In 1531, Gujarat sultan Bahadur Shah brought this area under his control. In 1562, Akbar annexed this territory along with the whole Malwa to Mughal empire. In 1740 Marathas under the Peshwa brought the area under their control. In 1778, Peshwa distributed this territory to the Maratha rulers, Holkars of Indore, Sindhias of Gwalior and Ponwars of Dhar. After the independence and merger of the Princely states with Union of India in 1948, this territory became West Nimar district of Madhya Bharat. On November 1, 1956 this district became part of the newly formed state of Madhya Pradesh. On May 25, 1998 West Nimar district was bifurcated into two districts: Khargone and Barwani.
Geography
Area of the district is 8030 km². The district is situated between 21°22' and 22°35' north latitudes and 74°25' and 76°14' east longitudes. The district is surrounded by Dhar, Indore and Dewas in the north, state of Maharashtra state in the south, Khandwa, Burhanpur in the east and Barwani in the West.
Division
The district is divided into 5 sub-divisions, which are further divided into 8 tehsils. Barwaha sub-division has only one tehsil, Barwaha with the town bigger than Barwaha name Sanawad. Bhikangaon sub-division has two tehsils, Bhikangaon and Jhiranya. Kasrawad sub-division has only Kasrawad tehsil while Khargone sub-division has three tehsils, Khargone, Bhagwanpura and Segaon. Mandaleshwar sub-division has one tehsil, Maheshwar. Khargone town is the administrative headquarters of the district. Other towns are Maheshwar, Kasrawad, Segaon, Bhagwanpura, Jhiranya, Bhikangaon and Barwah. Maheshwar is a place of tourist attraction as the former capital of the Heheya Kingdom and Holkars of Indore.
The district consists 6 Vidhan-Sabha constituencies. These constituencies are Bhikangaon (ST), Barwaha, Maheshwar (SC), Kasrawad, Khargone and Dhulkot (ST). All six Vidhan Sabha constituencies are part of Khargone Lok Sabha constituency.
Tourist Place
Mandleshwar: This town is situated on the banks of river Narmada, at a distance of about 5 km from Maheshwar. The town was founded by Mandana Mishra, and has a stone fort constructed by Mohammedan rulers. It also has a fine flight of 123 steps leading down to the river and expanding below into a wide ghat. Tukoji Rao Holkar II built a palace here. It was also the headquarters of the Nimar Agency and Cantonment under the British from 1819 to 1864. The town is an important retail marketing and trade centre.
Oon: 18 km from Khargone, Oon was a flourishing place 1000 years ago. About a dozen temples, both Hindu and Jain lie clustering here and represent an architecture patronised by the Parmara kings of Malwa. The carvings on the temples are quite similar to those in Khajuraho. An important place for Jain pilgrimage.
Bawangaja: 10 km from Barwani, tehsil headquarters of Khargone distt., the Bawangaja temples are 170 km from Indore. The 72ft high Jain statue here has been hewn in the rock. It belongs to the early 15th century. Bawangaja is an important Jain pilgrim centre.