SHIVPURI The Journey of a Nameless Forest to a Tourist Town

Shivpuri is a medium sized town in North of Madhya Pradesh State in Central India. It is close to Gwalior city in Madhya Pradesh. It is an ancient town and sacred place for Hindus. In the past it was known by the name of ‘Sipri’. Its current name “Shivpuri” is derived from Lord Shiva and was given by H.H. Sir Madho rao Scindia.

H.H. Sir Madho rao Scindia 

                                                 

Let’s start from the Beginning…

Nandas and Mouryas

In the Third Century B.C. ‘Ashoka the Great’was the master of a vast empire, embracing the whole of India. During the Nanda and Mourya regime, Shivpuri was a part of these empires.

Early Nagas

In the beginning of first century A.D. the Gwalior region, along with Shivpuri was under the rule of earlier Nagas. Nagas were supplanted by the Kushana, who ruled a vast Empire in northern India. After the downfall of the Kushana power, in this area, later Nagas came into power. It took place after the regime of Vasudeva.

Later Nagas

The later Nagas remained politically and socially prominent in this area during the 3^rd and 4^th centuries till their downfall at the hands of Samudragupta. They are well known in Indian history for reviving the old Hindus tradition of freedom. The later Nagas were serpent worshippers. The later Nagas flourished at Padmavati (Near Narwar), Mathura and Kantipuri. After the downfall of Later Nagas the Shivpuri region came under the Gupta Empire.

Guptas

In the middle of the 4^th century A.D. the two Naga kings Ganpatinaga and Nagasena were exterminated by Samudragupta. Under the Guptas, the Shivpuri region was in a prosperous condition.

Gurjara-Pratihara

During the second quarter of 4^th century A.D., both Gwalior and Malwa regions came under the rule of Gurjara-Pratiharas. Kanauj was their head quarter, though Avanti (Ujjain) might have been their capital. According to Gwalior eulogy NagabhattaΙΙ^nd& son Ramabhadra “have been overload in the Gwalior region”, of which Shivpuri district must have been apart.

After Ramabhadra “Mihir-bhoja” came to the Pratiharas throne. He is assumed to have title of “Adivaraha” as per “Chaturbhuj epigraph”. Pratiharas retained the fort of Gwalior. Perhaps, till A.D. 942-943 they might have lost it to Kachchhapaghat.

Kachchhapaghatas:-

The Kachchapaghatas are generally taken to be the predecessors of the Rajput clan Kachwaha, but the assumption is not based on historial fact. Three branches of the Kacchapaghatas are known, they ruled in Gwalior

The Kacinchapaghata dynasty of Narwar had its capital at Narwar or ancient Nalapura. In a copper plate inscription three of its rulers are mentioned. They were Gangasimha or Gangansimha, Shardasimha and Birsimha. The last ruler of this dynasty, viz., Tejkaran or Dulkharajaleft his kingdom to his nephew Paramaradideva and went to marry the daughter of the Bargujar Rajput chief of Daosa, Marouni. After one year he came back with the bride of his choice, but could not regain his territory. His romantic tales are still popular in Gwalior region.

Mughals

Later in 15^th century when Mugals Captured Gwalior fort and made it a royal prison. They used shivpuri s dense forests for hunting. The Great Emperor AKBAR himself hunted elephants here and used them for fighting in his army. He also hunted tigers and other wild animals in narwar as written in Akbarnama.

Akbar hunting a tiger in narwar (Akbarnama)

Marathas

The Shivpuri starts to grow as a town. We can also say that golden time of this place started from here. From 1818 onwards the history of Shivpuri district mostly coincides with that of history of Gwalior State. The Scindia rulers of Gwalior ruled here till independence and made a small village “Sipri” a city and named it Shivpuri. They also made the city his Summer Capital. Shivpuri used to remains cold even in summers because of its dense forests. Thats why people call it Mini Shimla too. Sir Madho rao Scindia  made Shivpuri a district instead of Narwar in 1900. He also Re-Designed the city from world famous engineer M. Visvesvaraya.
One of the top leader of 1857 revolt Tatya Tope was tried by court martial at Shivpuri and  hanged here in the area of Rajeshwari Mandir.

Tatya Tope Memorial

Shivpuri also witnessed and participated in national movement of India. In 1921 Gopalkrishna Puranik established an Adarsh Vidyalayain Pohri a Jagir of Gwalior State. Waves “Quit India” movement also reached Shivpuri district. Hartals, marched, protest were happened in support of movement. After Independence, in the beginning of 1948, Khaniyadhana State was made a part of Vindhya Pradesh with nearly half of its territories. The remaining half formed part of Madhya Bharat region as a part of Shivpuri district. Subsequently, as a result of the reorganization of States and with the formation of Madhya Pradesh in 1956 Shivpuri became a part of it.

Chhatri of  Scindia Dynasty

                                              

Now Shivpuri is a popular tourist attraction specially in monsoon season. It is the first tourist city of Madhya Pradesh. It has Chhatris of Scindia Dynasty which are fine examples of workmanship and it also has a number of waterfalls and lakes. It also has a National park named as The Madhav National Park. The city is very rich in Biodiversity.

Sakhya Sagar Lake

Madhav National Park

                                                    

I personally suggest you to take a visit in monsoon.The city and its beauty will not disappoint you.

And if you have any queries then please share it with me I will be happy to answer them.

Kshitij Agrawal