Bhandara District - History

History

The region to the south of the Godavari was inhabited by the aborigines, who are called Rakshasas in the Ramayana where the region is mentioned. Initially the district was included in the seventh century in the territories of the Haihaya Rajput kings of Chhattisgarh whose kingdom was known as Maha Kosala. Bhandara retains some recollection of Hindu kings who ruled from Nagardhan.

The 12th century saw the rule of Ponwars who were subsequently ousted by Gond chiefs who asserted their independence of the Ratanpur dynasty. This was followed by Raghoji Bhonsle of Vidarbha who established himself as the king of Chanda, Deogarh and Chattisgarh in 1743. In 1755, Janoji was declared as the sovereign of the territory, after the death of his father Raghoji Bhonsle. The two brothers Mudhoji and Rupaji of Raghoji Bhonsle of Hingani-Beradi were contemporaries of Shahaji, the father of Chhatrapati Shivaji and one of the ancestors of the Bhonsles of Nagpur who rehabilitated the village of Beradi was probably the contemporary of Maloji, the grandfather of Chhatrapati Shivaji. After the death of Sambhaji, during the Mughal-Maratha conflict, Parasoji rendered invaluable help to Rajaram who had succeeded to the throne of Chhatrapati. The territories of Gondawana, Devagad, Chanda and Berar from which he had exacted tribute were given to his charge under a grant made in A.D. 1699.

In 1707 after the death of Aurangzeb when Chhattrapati Shahu was released by Muhammad Azam, Parasoji Bhonsle was the first of the Maratha nobles to join him in west Khandesh.

The 17th century saw the invasion of the Peshwas who were instrumental in making the district a part of Berar. The Peshwas were succeeded by the Nizams during the 1850's; the Nizam ceded Berar to the British East India Company. In 1903 the Nizam leased Berar to the British Government of India. It was transferred to the Central Provinces. In 1956, with the re-organization of states, Bhandara was transferred from Madhya Pradesh to Bombay Province and in 1960 with the formation of Maharashtra; it became a district of the state. After the 1991 Census the district was bifurcated into Bhandara and Gondiya or Gondia.

The Mauryas, Satavahanas, Chalukyas,

Rashtrakutas, Vakatakas, the shepherd kings, Rajput dynasties, the Rashtrika-Petenikas, the Bhoja-Petenikas, the Ponwars, Deogarh Gond kingdom, Peshwa, Marathas, Bhonsles, Pandaris, Mughals, Lanji dynasty, Nizam, British, etc.

The place is famous for its rice production. Bhandara town is also known as 'Brass City' owing to the presence of a large brass products industry.

Chakradhara, Maharaja Svamidasa, Maharaja Bhulunda, Maharaja Rhudradasa, Rudrasena I, Prithivishena I, Vikramaditya, Harisena, King Mangalesha, Shankaragana, Durgaraja, Govindaraja, Svamikaraja, Nannaraja alias Yuddhasura, Kanhoji Bhonsle, Ranoji Bhonsle, Fatehsingh Bhonsle, Bajirav Bhonsle, Raghoji Bhonsle, Janoji, Mudhoji, Chand Sultan, Raghunath Singh, Wali Shah, Akbar Shah and Burhan Shah, Balaji Bajirav, Aurangzeb, Shuja Khan, Sarfaraz Khan, etc.

The region to the south of the Godavari was inhabited by the aborigines, who are called Rakshasas in the Ramayana where the region is mentioned. Initially the district was included in the seventh century in the territories of the Haihaya Rajput kings of Chhattisgarh whose kingdom was known as Maha Kosala. Bhandara retains some recollection of Hindu kings who ruled from Nagardhan. The 12th century saw the rule of Ponwars who were subsequently ousted by Gond chiefs who asserted their independence of the Ratanpur dynasty. This was followed by Raghoji Bhonsle of Vidarbha who established himself as the king of Chanda, Deogarh and Chattisgarh in 1743. In 1755, Janoji was declared as the sovereign of the territory, after the death of his father Raghoji Bhonsle. The two brothers Mudhoji and Rupaji of Raghoji Bhonsle of Hingani-Beradi were contemporaries of Shahaji, the father of Chhatrapati Shivaji and one of the ancestors of the Bhonsles of Nagpur who rehabilitated the village of Beradi was probably the contemporary of Maloji, the grandfather of Chhatrapati Shivaji. After the death of Sambhaji, during the Mughal-Maratha conflict, Parasoji rendered invaluable help to Rajaram who had succeeded to the throne of Chhatrapati. The territories of Gondawana, Devagad, Chanda and Berar from which he had exacted tribute were given to his charge under a grant made in 1699 A.D.

In 1707 after the death of Aurangzeb when Shahu was released by Muhammad Azam, Parasoji Bhonsle was the first of the Maratha nobles to join him in west Khandesh.

The 17th century saw the invasion of the Peshwas who were instrumental in making the district a part of Berar. The Peshwas were succeeded by the Nizams during the 1850's; the Nizam ceded Berar to the British East India Company. In 1903 the Nizam leased Berar to the British Government of India. It was transferred to the Central Provinces. In 1956, with the re-organization of states, Bhandara was transferred from Madhya Pradesh to Bombay Province and in 1960 with the formation of Maharashtra; it became a district of the state. After the 1991 Census the district was bifurcated into Bhandara and Gondiya or Gondia.

Bhandara is one of the major administrative districts in Maharashtra, and is located in the Nagpur division at 21°10'N 79°39'E. The district is enveloped by Balaghat district (Madhya Pradesh) in the north and Chandrapur in the south, while Gondia and Nagpur mark its eastern and western borders, respectively. Covering an area of 3716 sq. km, the district of Bhandara is segregated into two sub-divisions, namely Bhandara and Sakoli that are further divided into seven talukas.

The name of the district Bhandara is derived from 'Bhannara', the name by which it is mentioned in a stone inscription at Ratanpur.The excavation confirms that the existence of Bhandara dates back to the 11th century, at the region to the south of Godavari that was inhabited by the aborigines (Rakshasas). Formerly a part of the territories of the Haihaya Rajput kings of Chhattisgarh, Bhandara was taken over by the Ponwars in the 12th century, followed by the Gond chiefs.

By the 17th century, the district was made a part of Berar by Peshwas, who had invaded the region during the period. In 1699, the region came under the control of Parasoji Bhonsle along with the territories of Gondwana, Devgad, Chanda and Berar. Raghoji Bhonsle of Vidarbha took over the charge in 1743, and was preceded by his son Janoji after his death in 1755. The feudal dynasty of Lanji governed the region from 1818 to 1830, and formed the Bhandara district in 1821.

Peshwas were ousted by Nizams during 1850s, who ceded Berar to the British East India Company in 1903. With the re-organisation of states in 1956, Bhandara was transferred to Bombay Province from the state of Madhya Pradesh. After the formation of Maharashtra in 1960, Bhandara evolved as a district of the state. The erstwhile Bhandara district was bifurcated on 1 May 1999, and a new district, Gondia was formed. Thus, Gondia and Bhandara came into existence.

The current name of Bhandara, is derived from the term 'bhana' meaning 'brass', as the town is dominated by brass-working industry. With more than 3500 small lakes in and around the district, this 'Brass City' is also referred to as the 'District of Lakes'. It is characteristic of a mixed economy with agriculture, industries and forest resources contributing to it. Bhandara district is mainly popular for its large production of rice, and is thus termed as the 'rice bowl of Maharashtra'.

Marathi is the chief language spoken in this district, in the northeast of state. Though dotted with a number of industries like Ashok Leyland, Sunflag Steel and Ordnance Factory, Bhandara offers ample opportunities for sightseeing with attractions like Ambagad Fort, Brahmi, Chinchgad and Dighodi. It also hosts two main fairs, namely Khandoba (November to December) and Maha Shivaratri (January to February), along with other festivals held at Ashti and Dhapewada.

With several ancient temples and historical monuments, along with beautiful lakes, parks and sanctuaries, Bhandara attracts plenty of tourists every year. The ideal time to visit this Maharashtrian district is in the months of October and November. The nearest air gateway to Bhandara is located 60 km away, in Nagpur. Rail links Bhandara to other cities with stations at Bhandara Road and Tumsar Road. Buses and other road transport travelling towards Bhandara ply on NH 6.