Gadarwara
—  city  —
Gadarwara Location of Gadarwara in Madhya Pradesh and India
Coordinates	22°55′N 78°47′E / 22.92°N 78.78°E / 22.92; 78.78Coordinates: 22°55′N 78°47′E / 22.92°N 78.78°E / 22.92; 78.78
Country	India
State	Madhya Pradesh
District(s)	Narsinghpur
Population	37,837 (2001[update])
Time zone	IST (UTC+05:30)
Area • Elevation	• 342 metres (1,122 ft)
Codes • Pincode • 487551 • Telephone • +07791 • Vehicle • 49
Website	www.gadarwara.com

Gadarwara is a city and a municipality since 1867 in Narsinghpur district in the state of Madhya Pradesh, India. The city's major temple, Damru Ghaanti, with its large statue of Shiva and Shivalinga, receives thousands of devotees each year for the festival of Mahashivaratri.

City is also known for the vibrant culture of the people. Almost all kind of festivals celebrated here ,no matter from which caste they belongs.

Goddess Bijasen Temple, Badi Mata Temple, Jain Temple and few Islamic Shrines are present in the cities.

Gadarwara is the childhood home of Osho (Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh) and has become a tourist destination for American, Australian and European pilgrims as well as Indians. There is a small ashram and a few spots associated with his early life. Other well-known Gadarwarans include, Ashutosh Rana and the politician Rameshwar Neekhra, an MP in the 1984 Congress government and head of the Bar Council of Madhya Pradesh for over a decade.

Local Administration[link]

The town was the capital of the District in the time of the Marathas. Population (1901), 6,198. Gadarwara was created a municipality in 1867. A police thana, and tahseeldar were appointed from British period.

Now Days:
There are 21 wards in Gadarwara municipality, the Nagar Palika Adhyaksha is the chief of the municipality.

Police: Gadarwara Police thana with the office of the DSP. Also having the railway police thana.

Civil: SDM office, Tahseeldar office.

Judiciary: Civil Judge.

Geography[link]

Gadarwara is located at 22°55′N 78°47′E / 22.92°N 78.78°E / 22.92; 78.78.^[1] It has an average elevation of 342 metres (1122 feet). The Sakkar river flows through it rendering the surrounding farmland fertile. The larger Narmada River is 20 km away. Gadarwara lies on the main road from Jabalpur to Mumbai(Bombay) 30 miles west of Narsinghpur civil station. 80 km away, the beautiful hill station of Panchmari draws visitors from all over India.

A small fortress on the river bank was built by a family of Gond Rajputs in the early days of Maratha rule. In a late 19th century survey, of 8100 inhabitants, chiefly tradesmen and artisans, Hindus numbered 6,553, Kabir-panthis 48, Muslims 1,012, Christians 6, Jains 353 and aboriginal tribespeople 128.^[2]

Gadarwara Damaru Ghati

Gadarwara Damaru Ghati Inner Shiv Ling

Industry[link]

Gadarwara is famous for production of pulses and has approximately ninety production mills: most varieties of lentils are available in this small town. Sugarcane is also produced in the area.^{[citation needed]} A railway station is situated 2 miles south of the town centre, whence a branch railway runs to the Mohpani coal-fields 14 miles farther south-south-east in the gorge by which the Chita-Rewa leaves the Satpura table-land. A large coal mine known as Gotetoria is found some 15 km from the city.

Historically the town has manufactured and dyed cotton cloth, and functioned as a centre of trade in grain and cotton from Eastern Bhopal, Bhilsa, Sagar and elsewhere., expoerting salt, crude sugar and piece-goods, particularly brass and bell-metal vessels made at Chichli chichli is famous for make brass pot, also called brass township because all type metals pot makes here. Gadarwara was once known as Gadariya Kheda, and the whole area as Gadarwara Pargana, because there was a large population of Gadariya, who were sheep and goat farmers.

NTPC(national thermal power corporation) is also building a Power plant with capacity 660*4=2640 MW in Gadarwara .. 2×660 MW Super-Critical Coal Based THERMAL POWER PLANT near Gangai & Umaraiya village s, in Gadarwara Tehsil, in Narsinghpur District, in Madhya Pradesh

The proposal was earlier for setting up of 4×660 MW Coal Based THERMAL POWER PLANT near Gangai & Umaraiya village s, in Gadarwara Tehsil, in Narsinghpur District , in Madhya Pradesh. Land requirement for 2×660 MW shall be restricted to 900 acres. Coal requirement will be 7.5 MTPA which will be obtained from the North Karanpura Coal Blocks. Water requirement will be 32 cusec which will be met from the Narmada

The project was considered for issuing ToR on Dec 22, 2010 and the ToR was issued on Jan 13, 2011

History[link]

As per record the town was the capital of the District in the time of the Marathas. Population (1901), 6,198. Gadarwara was created a municipality in 1867. The municipal receipts during the decade ending 1901 averaged Rs. 19,000. In 1903-4 the income was Rs. 33,000, derived principally from octroi. Gadarwara was the largest exporting station in the District for the local products oil and grain. Various handicrafts, such as weaving, dyeing, shoe-making, and pottery, are also carried on in the town, but are in a depressed condition. A cotton-ginning factory has recently been erected with a capital of Rs. 32,000, which disposed of cotton to the value of a lakh of rupees in 1902-3. Gadarwara was containing an English middle school and a dispensary. A police thana, and tahseeldar were appointed during British period. Ref: The gazetteer of the Central Provinces of India edited by Sir Charles Grant (Page 121- 122)

Stone Age PERIOD: Gadarwara is having many historical Rocks, which are being revered, from time to time during various archeological surveys. According to Gazetteer published by the district in the district of Narsinghpur, about 10 K.M. away from Gadarwara, village called 'Bhatera' certain "Fossil of animals " & apparatus mode of said stones are found during various surveys. One other archeological surveys found "Fossil of animals " near the Gadarwara railway bridge at the time of bridge manufacturing.

Up to 10Th CCE PERIOD: During the 2nd CCE this area was under the rule of the Satvahans dynasty. Form 4th century the area was under the GUPT Empire, during which King Samudra Gupt succeed extending the areas of his Kingdom in Central India & Western part of India. In 6th Century there are certain indications of padi Kingdom.

But once again History lost in vein for around 400 years, we are not having any authentic knowledge for this period. In 10th CCE the area was under control of Jasraj (father of Aalha Udal), who were kings during the period of King PrithviRaj Chouhan and made Bohani (10 km from Gadarwara) their capital.

Raj Gond Vans PERIOD: During 14th century the area was part of Raj Gond dynasty. This Vansh (1400–1541) came to existence by Yadav Rao who laid the foundation of a strong Kingdom at a place called Garha - Katanga & started a process of strong mighty rule. One of the rulers Sangram Shah had established 52 Garh, so strangest the Gond Empire. The fort of Choura Garh/Chougan (situated near by Gadarwara around 20 KM.) was constructed by Sangram Shah, which is still an evidence of bravery of Veerarayan - The son of Rani Durgawati. At the fort of Chauragarh Asif Khan trapped prince Veer Narayan & killed him by his Cunning tactics. Thus Garha Katanga comes under control of Mugals in the year 1564. Gonds Mugals & after then the area was under control of various officers & administrative & hereditary chiefs during the Maratha’s rule.

Maratha PERIOD: In year 1785, Madhavji Bhonsle purchased the area of Mandla & Narmada ghati and the name "Gadarwara" came into use, that time. This area was under pressure of army rule during the reign of Raghuji Bhonsle / Nawab of Bhopal & Pindari' s due to unsuitability & other problems, the common people were extremely exploited. This period also known as period of problems & unsuitability. Paloha was the headquarter of Pindari Sardars, Chitu & Karim Khan during this period.

BRITISH PERIOD: After the BATTLE of Sitaburdi 1818, this area come under the control of BRITISH rule, In this period the area was known as Gadarwara pargana. In the year 1818 British army captured fort of Chouragarh & in 1830 the control of this area was given to a committee. During British rule the Administration of this area was further improved & in 1836 the area was partitioned & was merged in Hoshangabad district.

Struggle for Independence: As per the records this area was not much active in Struggle for Independence. There are few notable cases for struggle for independence. During the mass demonstration of satyagrah at Chichli in the year 1932 Mansharam & Gauradevi lost their lives during Police firing.

After Independence: When India got its independence in 1947 on 15 August, a new era started in this town. After 9 years of independence, when states were reorganized on the basis of languages, Gadarwara once again became part of Narsinghpur district.

How to Reach[link]

Air Nearest Airport is Jabalpur Dumana(129 km)

Rail Gadarwara is well connected by rail route because it lies between Mumbai-Allahabad Line, most of the trains going from Mumbai to U.P & Bihar has stoppage on Gadarwara station.

Roadways Gadarwara is situated on the State Highway 22 (Jabalpur -Pipariya). The buses from & to Jabalpur, Chhindwada, Kareli, Sagar, Pipariya, Bhopal, Indore are available.

Garawara Railway Station[link]

Gadarwara railway station is under the west central rail zone. In year 1869–71, brothers, Ladhha Bharmal Chawda & Ramji Bharmal Chawda of Chandiya were the Main Contractors for Great Indian Peninsula Railway; who built 153 miles long railway track from Itarsi to Jabalpur. The station of Gadarwara alng with Bagra Tawa, Sohagpur, Pipariya, Kareli were also built by them. With completion of this line in 1871, the Great Indian Peninsula Railway got connected with East Indian Railway network with Jubbulpore (Jabalpur) as the Junction.

City is well connected with Bhopal (capital of Madhyapradesh), Indore, Jabalpur by the railway route. It is also connected with the Mumbai, allahabad, calcutta,and several other places of india. Nearest junction Jabalpur which is also the zonal office of the west central rail zone. Another near by junction is Itarsi, one of the biggest junction in India and several trains are passing from this station(Itarsi) while going from North to south or east to west. Gadarwara has stoppage of several trains. List of Trains has stoppage in Gadarwara

College[link]

Govt.P G College (Narmada Maha Vidhyalaya) Aff. to RDVV Jabalpur

References[link]

1. ^ Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Gadarwara
2. ^ The Imperial Gazetteer of India (Volume 4, pp. 55-8)