Sheopur
Encyclopedia
Sheopur is a city in Madhya Pradesh
state of central India
. It is the administrative headquarters of Sheopur District
. Sheopur is linked by rail to Gwalior. The town is traditionally famous for its wood carving
. This is the western most town of Madhya Pradesh
, Chambal
river is just 25 km, which forms the boundary between Rajasthan
and MP states.
Sheopur can be reached via train and buses from Gwalior which is 240 km from Sheopur.Sheopur is located at northern part of Madhya Pradesh. Some of the main locations are Vijaipur, Karahal and Badoda. Major tourist attraction is Palpur (kuno) wildlife sanctuary. The well-known Kaketa reservoir is located in this district. The art of woodcarving has flourished in district Sheopur and the beautifully embellished wooden ceilings, doors and lintels with finely carved designs are silent testimonials of its glory. The wood carvers of Sheopur, with great sensitivity and skill transform different varieties of wood. The crafts persons of Sheopur make pipes, masks, toys, doors, stands, windows, wooden memorials, flower vases, bedposts and cradle posts etc.
The important rivers like Chambal
, Seep and Kuno drain the district. The Chambal
, which originates in the Indore district, forms the northwestern boundary of Madhya Pradesh
with Rajasthan
.
In 1301 A.D. Alauddin Khilji
on winning the Ranthambhor fort captured the Sheopur fort also which was under king Hammir Dev at that time.
In 1489, Sultan Mahmood Khilji of malwa won it and established an integrated part of malwa Sultanate.
In 1542, Sher Shah Suri
captured the Sheopur fort. During his time an Idgah and after death of his commander Munabber Khan a grand masolum made by his son Islam Shah is the interesting example of Architecture of that time.
After that Surjan Singh Hada the King of Boondi
captured Sheopur fort. In 1547, Akbar captured the fort and consequently it because part of Gwalior Maharaja Daulat Rao Scindia had to fight the Gour king Radhika Das to capture the fort the Gours of Agra had been awarded the Sheopur fort as karad kings by Mugals and generations of Vats Raj Gour continued to rule from it, before succumbing to the Scindias.
The 225 years history of the Sipahad kingdom as it is called a saga of untold valur and forcefully independent cultural identity. This is reflected there architectural remains, which are individual thriving tradition of performing art, paintings, sculpture and highly artistic style of living. The individual palace of Narsingh Gour, Rani mahal or Goojri mahal are striking examples of Gour architecture. The chhartries built as a mark of respect for the king Indar Singh Gour & and Kishor Das Gour after the demis is silent and solemn examples of symmetrically well-crafted architecture. The Scandias remained in control of the fort till India acquired independence. They contributed of the grandeur of the fort by adding new dimensions to its resplendent remarks. The late Maharaja Madavrao Scindia built a Diwan-A-Aam, The Darbar Hall, and a state guesthouse presently the Diwan-A-Aam.
The site of a Sahariya Museum, this is a window to the word of Saharia
life partners, who rank as one of few existing primitive tribes of India. A few portion of the fort have been taken over by the M.P. Archeological Department for protections and conservation.
01. Govt. Madhavrao Scindia P.G. College
02. Adarsh Mahavidhalaya
03. Sheopur Institute of Professional Studies
04. Shri Ganesh Mahavidhyalaya Vijaipur
05. Vinayak College.
There are several schools including C.B.S.E. and state Board Schools
C.B.S.E. Schools include Jawahar Navodaya Vidhalaya, Kendriya Vidhalaya, St. Pius School, Modern Convent School and Rajeev Gandhi Memorial Boarding School.
State Board Schools include Government and private institutions including Excellence School, Govt. Girls School, Hajareswar School, Harihar School, Saraswati School, Gurunanak Public School, Madhavrao Scindia School, Nehru School of the several others.
By Rail: As with other light railways in the former princely state of sGwalior (now part of the Central Railway in Madhya Pradesh) these 200 km of 610mm gauge lines were originally sponsored by the Maharaja of Gwalior, reaching Sheopur in 1909. This railway line has been nominated by Indian government for the World Heritage site.
By Road: Sheopur is connected by regular bus services with Gwalior, Morena
, Sawai Madhopur
, Shivpuri
, Baran and Kota
. Sheopur is 210 km from Gwalior and 230 km from Morena.
, Sheopur had a population of 105026. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Sheopur has an average literacy rate of 72%, lower than the national average of 76%: male literacy is 76%, and female literacy is 56%. In Sheopur, 17% of the population is under 6 years of age.
Main schools of Sheopur are Harihar Vidhya Peeth, Infant Jesus, Saraswati school and Rajeev Gandhi Memorial Boarding School
. World famous lion project in Kuno palpur is situated 70 km from the city.
In last few years level of education has been improved surprisingly as many students have cracked in competitive examination like IIT, AIEEE and PMT. Gaurav Gupta,Chetan Garg,Brajmohan Meena, Suneeta Goyal, Sikha Garg, Abhishek Singh Sikarwar etc. have made remarkable success in various examinations.
is the major source of irrigation. Wheat
is the most important food grain grown in the district. Mustard
is the most important oil seed grown in the district.
In Sheopur District there are total 156 running small scale industries, based on pipes, masks, toys, doors, stands, windows, wooden memorials, flower vases, bedposts and cradle posts etc.
municipal head of the sheopur town is the president of nagar palika.
while the M.L.A. and M.P. are the political heads of the district.
and local dialect is Hadoti.
Folk Dances:-
Ahiri Dance
:-
This dance is related to people who have traditionally been in the business of cattle herding. In different parts of the state these people are known by different castes such as Ahir, Baredi, Gwal, Rawat
, Raut, Gwala etc.
Baredi or Yadav
dance of Bundelkhand
:-
This dance has been associated with the biggest Hindu
festival Diwali
. On the night of Diwali people worship Laxmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth (after all no body can live without money), and cattle. Next day on the occasion of "Padva" or "Parva" cattle are sent to jungles or ranches after being decorated with flowers and garlands. They are given special dishes as food. Yadav
dance is performed on the same occasion.
Dancers dance in a circular path while singing songs. Sometimes they sit or lie down on earth and suddenly they restart their dance. Rhythm of the song is very low in starting and increases with time. Music instruments are started only when two lines of the song are finished. Primarily these are two line couplets. Sometimes these are in form of questions and answers. This dance continues till Kartik Purnima.
Dress:-
Dancers, instrument beaters and their associates wear a clean turban on head. Some people like to put on Dhoti up to knees (long cloth wore by men enwrapping their waist). Some people specially dancers wear colorful shorts. Dancers also keep bunch of peacock feathers.
Saharia
Dances:-
Saharias are tribal people who live in jungles. They work in farms and also collect medicinal plants from jungles. There are several dances of Saharias. Some of the important ones are: Lur Dance, Lanhgi Dance, Dul-Dul Ghodi Dance, Raya Dance, Ada-Khada Dance.
Lur dance of Saharias:-
This dance is performed on the occasion of marriage starting from the day of ritual of "Haldi" (In this ritual whole body is pasted with turmeric
and after sometime it is removed so the body is cleaned) till the arrival of Barat (Bridegroom comes to the house of the bride
with his relatives and friends for marriage ceremony).
Lanhgi dance of Saharias:-
This dance is also known as Danda
(baton) dance because Saharias dance with small batons in their hands with which they strike at each other and perform Lanhgi dance. Only men are allowed in it. This dance is performed on the occasion of Bhujarias, Teja ji puja and Aekadashi etc.
Dul-Dul Ghori dance:-
This dance is performed on the occasion of marriage by males. In this dance a hollow case of ghori
(mare) is prepared of bamboo sticks. The dancer stands in the hollow place and dances. (Depicts various movements of mare.) There is also a joker in women clothing. People sing folk songs during the dance.
Musical instruments:-
Mradang, Dholak
, Ramtula, Dhapli, Manzira, Jhanz etc. are used in this dance.
The Rani Mahal, Darbar Hall and Saharia Museum are some attractive sites in the fort to visit.
Baradari, PWD Guest House and some pathways are also the points of interest for the people visiting the fort.
Doob Kund:-
In Sheopur district, there was a city in the Chambal
valley of Sheopur tehsil at some distance from river Kuno known as `Dom`. It was the capital of Kachhwaha Kingdom. Here stands 81 feet high, large and square `Chaubisi of Jain Tirthankaras`, which is still worth seeing. The pillars standing on the `Kalash` remind us of the art of their architects.
In the middle of the Chaubisi, one could see a kund where the statues where sunk. Since then, it is called Doob Kund. Outside it, there are the remains of Har Gauri Temple. This statuary group was built in 11th century.
Ram-Janki Temple:-
It is situated at the bank of Seep river, near to the fort of the sheopur. You can easily reach here by local transport system.
the temple was built in the 15th century and is famous for ram-janki statue. The mahant of the temple is shri Rambharos ji maharaj. Every year a big celebration is held on the occasion of Ramnavami, which is the main attraction of the temple.
Sangam Of Rameshwar:-
It is situated at the Sangam of rivers Banas, Seep and Chambal
is full of natural beauties. It is 959 feet high from seashore. Since rivers Banas, Seep and Chambal
join here, the place is known as the Sangam of Rameshwar. A local fair is held here every year. It is an attraction for the tourists especially for the people of Rajasthan
. Lord Parushram meditated here for long 12 years after killing his mother.
Vijaipur Durg:-
At the bank of river Kunari, there stands a fort known as Majhola durg. Vijay Singh, the King of Karauli
, built it.
Other places:-
Kuno wildlife sanctuary
, located between latitudes 25degree 30second - 25degree 53second N and longitudes 77degree 07second – 77degree 26second E, is situated in the Sheopur district of north-west Madhya Pradesh
. The total area is 344.686 km2 out of which 313.984 km2 is forest land and 30.702 km2 is revenue land in the Sheopur and Vijapur tehsils of Sheopur district. The Palpur (Kuno) wildlife sanctuary was notified vide Government of Madhya Pradesh
Forest Department’s Notification No. 15/8/79/10/2, Bhopal, dated 16.1.1981.
This sanctuary is situated at Vijaypur and Sheopur tehsils in Sheopur district. It is 15 km. from the Sesaipura bus stand on Shivpuri-Sheopur road. It can be approached by bus or taxi from Sesaipura bus stand. It can also be approached from Pohari of district Shivpuri
at the distance of 25 km. The sanctuary is situated in an isolated hill, sloping in all directions.
Climate
:-
The average rainfall in the area is 750 mm per year. The maximum temperature can rise up to 49 degree C while the minimum temperature recorded has been 2 degree C.
Physiography:-
The general physiography of the terrain is hilly. It comes under the Vindhya series. The sanctuary falls in the semi-arid zone and has a typical terrain of Central Indian highlands, interspersed with woodlands and meadows. The soil is sandy and sandy-loam, showing a spatial variation in depth. River kuno, a tributary of River Chambal
, vertically bisects the sanctuary from north to south. It occupies an area of 5.90 km2 in the sanctuary. A number of major of major nallahs like Lankahkhoh, Kudikheda, Durredi, Aamkhoh originate from the gorges located on the west, join river Kuno. Similarly, the Dabhona nallah, Naharkunda nallah, Gangoli nallah etc. originating from the eastern Khohs, meet the Kuno river at various sites.
Fauna
:-
All the faunal representatives of the dry deciduous forest of the Central India can be found in Kuno i.e. Panther
, Tiger
, Chital, Sambhar, Black Deer, Chinkara, Bear, Blue bull, Chausingha, Jungle cat, Barking Deer, Monkey
, Jackals, Hyena
, Wild Boar, Fox, Kobra, Nag, Python, Peacock, Kala Teetar, Tree pie, Golden orioles, Drongo, Rollers, Jangli, murgi, Phakta, Bhura, Teetar.
Flora
:-
The Kuno sanctuary consists of dry deciduous forests interspersed with grasslands. Tree : Kardhai, Gurjan, Kher, Kusum, Gurjan, Mahua, Guner, Haldoo, Kullu, Kahua, Semal, Bahera, Tendu, Palas, Bel, Chind, Anwala, Harsingar, Chind, Satawar; Parasites : Bamdha, Amarbel;Grasses : Doob, Lumpy, Machai, Guner, Ponea, Phulara.
How to reach:-
This sanctuary is situated at Vijaypur and Sheopur tehsils in Sheopur district. It is 15 km from the Sesaipura bus stand on Shivpuri-Sheopur road. It can be approached by bus or taxi from Sesaipura bus stand. It can also be approached from Pohari of district Shivpuri at the distance of 25 km. The sanctuary
is situated in an isolated hill, sloping in all directions.
Where to stay
Accommodation for Palpur Kuno Sanctuary :
Forest Rest House Sesaipura,
Karahal & Palpur (within sanctuary)
CONTACT: -
Divisional Forest Officer,
PALPUR SANCTUARY HQ AT shivpuri
- S.D.O.{F} PALPUR SANCTUARY HQ AT pohari.
- PWD Rest House, Sesaipura
Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh , often called the Heart of India, is a state in central India. Its capital is Bhopal and Indore is the largest city....
state of central India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. It is the administrative headquarters of Sheopur District
Sheopur District
Sheopur District is a district of Madhya Pradesh state in central India. The district is located in the north of the state and forms part of Chambal Division.The town of Sheopur is the district headquarters. Other towns include Bijeypur, Karahal and Badoda...
. Sheopur is linked by rail to Gwalior. The town is traditionally famous for its wood carving
Wood carving
Wood carving is a form of working wood by means of a cutting tool in one hand or a chisel by two hands or with one hand on a chisel and one hand on a mallet, resulting in a wooden figure or figurine, or in the sculptural ornamentation of a wooden object...
. This is the western most town of Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh , often called the Heart of India, is a state in central India. Its capital is Bhopal and Indore is the largest city....
, Chambal
Chambal
Chambal may refer to:* Chambal Jatt* Chambal Division* Chambal River...
river is just 25 km, which forms the boundary between Rajasthan
Rajasthan
Rājasthān the land of Rajasthanis, , is the largest state of the Republic of India by area. It is located in the northwest of India. It encompasses most of the area of the large, inhospitable Great Indian Desert , which has an edge paralleling the Sutlej-Indus river valley along its border with...
and MP states.
Sheopur can be reached via train and buses from Gwalior which is 240 km from Sheopur.Sheopur is located at northern part of Madhya Pradesh. Some of the main locations are Vijaipur, Karahal and Badoda. Major tourist attraction is Palpur (kuno) wildlife sanctuary. The well-known Kaketa reservoir is located in this district. The art of woodcarving has flourished in district Sheopur and the beautifully embellished wooden ceilings, doors and lintels with finely carved designs are silent testimonials of its glory. The wood carvers of Sheopur, with great sensitivity and skill transform different varieties of wood. The crafts persons of Sheopur make pipes, masks, toys, doors, stands, windows, wooden memorials, flower vases, bedposts and cradle posts etc.
The important rivers like Chambal
Chambal
Chambal may refer to:* Chambal Jatt* Chambal Division* Chambal River...
, Seep and Kuno drain the district. The Chambal
Chambal
Chambal may refer to:* Chambal Jatt* Chambal Division* Chambal River...
, which originates in the Indore district, forms the northwestern boundary of Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh , often called the Heart of India, is a state in central India. Its capital is Bhopal and Indore is the largest city....
with Rajasthan
Rajasthan
Rājasthān the land of Rajasthanis, , is the largest state of the Republic of India by area. It is located in the northwest of India. It encompasses most of the area of the large, inhospitable Great Indian Desert , which has an edge paralleling the Sutlej-Indus river valley along its border with...
.
History
There is no conclusive documented source available to tracing the historical origin of Sheopur Fort. However a Jain pillar edict dated 1026 A.D. refers to the existence of the Sheopur fort. The 11th A.D. the famous poet Khadag Rai of Gwalior in his renowned work Gopanchal Akyan mentions Sheopur. According to his account the king of Nareshar Ajay Pal (1194–1219) had declared Sheopur as his capital.In 1301 A.D. Alauddin Khilji
Alauddin Khilji
Ali Gurshap Khan better known by his titular name as Sultan Ala-ud-din Khilji was the second ruler of the Turko-Afghan Khilji dynasty in India.He was a well and capable ruler. He belonged to the Afghanized Turkic tribe of the Khiljis...
on winning the Ranthambhor fort captured the Sheopur fort also which was under king Hammir Dev at that time.
In 1489, Sultan Mahmood Khilji of malwa won it and established an integrated part of malwa Sultanate.
In 1542, Sher Shah Suri
Sher Shah Suri
Sher Shah Suri , birth name Farid Khan, also known as Sher Khan , was the founder of the short-lived Sur Empire in northern India, with its capital at Delhi, before its demise in the hands of the resurgent Mughal Empire...
captured the Sheopur fort. During his time an Idgah and after death of his commander Munabber Khan a grand masolum made by his son Islam Shah is the interesting example of Architecture of that time.
After that Surjan Singh Hada the King of Boondi
Boondi
Boondi is a fried Rajasthani sweet snack made from chickpea flour. A savory version of Boondi called Khara is also made. Being very sweet, it can be stored for a week or so. Due to the need for preserving food in arid regions of Rajasthan, boondi Laddu are preferred.-Preparation:To prepare...
captured Sheopur fort. In 1547, Akbar captured the fort and consequently it because part of Gwalior Maharaja Daulat Rao Scindia had to fight the Gour king Radhika Das to capture the fort the Gours of Agra had been awarded the Sheopur fort as karad kings by Mugals and generations of Vats Raj Gour continued to rule from it, before succumbing to the Scindias.
The 225 years history of the Sipahad kingdom as it is called a saga of untold valur and forcefully independent cultural identity. This is reflected there architectural remains, which are individual thriving tradition of performing art, paintings, sculpture and highly artistic style of living. The individual palace of Narsingh Gour, Rani mahal or Goojri mahal are striking examples of Gour architecture. The chhartries built as a mark of respect for the king Indar Singh Gour & and Kishor Das Gour after the demis is silent and solemn examples of symmetrically well-crafted architecture. The Scandias remained in control of the fort till India acquired independence. They contributed of the grandeur of the fort by adding new dimensions to its resplendent remarks. The late Maharaja Madavrao Scindia built a Diwan-A-Aam, The Darbar Hall, and a state guesthouse presently the Diwan-A-Aam.
The site of a Sahariya Museum, this is a window to the word of Saharia
Saharia
Saharia, Sahar, Sehariya, or Sahariya is an indigenous tribe in the Madhya Pradesh province of India. The Saharias are mainly found in the districts of Morena,sheopur, Bhind, Gwalior, Datia, Shivpuri, Vidisha and Guna districts of Madhya Pradesh and Baran district of Rajasthan.-Etymology:The...
life partners, who rank as one of few existing primitive tribes of India. A few portion of the fort have been taken over by the M.P. Archeological Department for protections and conservation.
Education
For graduation and Post graduation following colleges are there01. Govt. Madhavrao Scindia P.G. College
02. Adarsh Mahavidhalaya
03. Sheopur Institute of Professional Studies
04. Shri Ganesh Mahavidhyalaya Vijaipur
05. Vinayak College.
There are several schools including C.B.S.E. and state Board Schools
C.B.S.E. Schools include Jawahar Navodaya Vidhalaya, Kendriya Vidhalaya, St. Pius School, Modern Convent School and Rajeev Gandhi Memorial Boarding School.
State Board Schools include Government and private institutions including Excellence School, Govt. Girls School, Hajareswar School, Harihar School, Saraswati School, Gurunanak Public School, Madhavrao Scindia School, Nehru School of the several others.
Transport
By Air: The nearest airport to Sheopur is Gwalior. This airport is well connected with Delhi, Bhopal, Indore and Mumbai .By Rail: As with other light railways in the former princely state of sGwalior (now part of the Central Railway in Madhya Pradesh) these 200 km of 610mm gauge lines were originally sponsored by the Maharaja of Gwalior, reaching Sheopur in 1909. This railway line has been nominated by Indian government for the World Heritage site.
By Road: Sheopur is connected by regular bus services with Gwalior, Morena
Morena
Morena is a city and a municipality in Morena district in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. It is also known as Muraina and is the administrative headquarters of Morena District and of Chambal Division. It is 39 km away from Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh...
, Sawai Madhopur
Sawai Madhopur
Sawai Madhopur is a city and a municipality in Sawai Madhopur District in the Indian state of Rajasthan. It is the administrative headquarters of Sawai Madhopur District....
, Shivpuri
Shivpuri
Shivpuri is a city and a municipality in Shivpuri district in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. It is in the Gwalior Division of northwest Madhya Pradesh and is the administrative headquarters of Shivpuri District. It is situated at an altitude of above sea level.-History:Shivpuri is an ancient...
, Baran and Kota
Kota, Rajasthan
Kota , formerly known as Kotah, is a city in the northern Indian state of Rajasthan. It is located south of state capital, Jaipur. Situated on the banks of Chambal River, the city is the trade centre for an area in which millet, wheat, rice, pulses, coriander and oilseeds are grown; industries...
. Sheopur is 210 km from Gwalior and 230 km from Morena.
Division
The district is divided into two sub divisions of Sheopur and Vijaypur. Five Tehsils (Sheopur, Karhal, Vijaypur, Baroda, Beerpur), three blocks (Sheopur, Karhal, Vijaypur) and three Nagarpalikas (Sheopur, Baroda, Vijaypur).Geography
Sheopur is located at 25.67°N 76.7°E. It has an average elevation of 229 metres (751 feet).Demographics
India censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
, Sheopur had a population of 105026. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Sheopur has an average literacy rate of 72%, lower than the national average of 76%: male literacy is 76%, and female literacy is 56%. In Sheopur, 17% of the population is under 6 years of age.
Main schools of Sheopur are Harihar Vidhya Peeth, Infant Jesus, Saraswati school and Rajeev Gandhi Memorial Boarding School
Rajeev Gandhi Memorial Boarding School
Rajeev Gandhi Memorial Boarding School is situated on the link road near new anaj mandi Sheopur, Madhya Pradesh, India. It is the administrative headquarters of Sheopur District. Sheopur is linked by rail to Gwalior. The town is traditionally famous for its wood carving.-History:At Baroda near...
. World famous lion project in Kuno palpur is situated 70 km from the city.
In last few years level of education has been improved surprisingly as many students have cracked in competitive examination like IIT, AIEEE and PMT. Gaurav Gupta,Chetan Garg,Brajmohan Meena, Suneeta Goyal, Sikha Garg, Abhishek Singh Sikarwar etc. have made remarkable success in various examinations.
Economy
About 50 percent of the geographical area is available for cultivation. About 58.74 percent of the cultivable area in the district is irrigated. CanalCanal
Canals are man-made channels for water. There are two types of canal:#Waterways: navigable transportation canals used for carrying ships and boats shipping goods and conveying people, further subdivided into two kinds:...
is the major source of irrigation. Wheat
Wheat
Wheat is a cereal grain, originally from the Levant region of the Near East, but now cultivated worldwide. In 2007 world production of wheat was 607 million tons, making it the third most-produced cereal after maize and rice...
is the most important food grain grown in the district. Mustard
Mustard plant
Mustards are several plant species in the genera Brassica and Sinapis whose small mustard seeds are used as a spice and, by grinding and mixing them with water, vinegar or other liquids, are turned into the condiment known as mustard or prepared mustard...
is the most important oil seed grown in the district.
In Sheopur District there are total 156 running small scale industries, based on pipes, masks, toys, doors, stands, windows, wooden memorials, flower vases, bedposts and cradle posts etc.
Government
The District Collector is the head of the Sheopur district, who is in charge of all the activities of Sheopur.municipal head of the sheopur town is the president of nagar palika.
while the M.L.A. and M.P. are the political heads of the district.
Culture
In Sheopur the major spoken language is HindiHindi
Standard Hindi, or more precisely Modern Standard Hindi, also known as Manak Hindi , High Hindi, Nagari Hindi, and Literary Hindi, is a standardized and sanskritized register of the Hindustani language derived from the Khariboli dialect of Delhi...
and local dialect is Hadoti.
Folk Dances:-
Ahiri Dance
Dance
Dance is an art form that generally refers to movement of the body, usually rhythmic and to music, used as a form of expression, social interaction or presented in a spiritual or performance setting....
:-
This dance is related to people who have traditionally been in the business of cattle herding. In different parts of the state these people are known by different castes such as Ahir, Baredi, Gwal, Rawat
Rawat
Rawat may refer to:* Rawat, Murree, a town in Punjab, Pakistan* Rawat Fort, early 16th century fort built by the Gakhars in Punjab, PakistanCommunities* Rawat Rajputs, ethnic group of India* Van Rawats, a native minority group from Uttarakhand, India....
, Raut, Gwala etc.
Baredi or Yadav
Yadav
Yādav refers to an umbrella group of traditionally non-elite pastoral communities, or castes, in India and Nepal which since the nineteenth and twentieth centuries has claimed descent from the mythological King Yadu as a part of a movement of social and political resurgence.The term 'Yadav' now...
dance of Bundelkhand
Bundelkhand
Bundelkhand anciently known as Chedi Kingdom is a geographic region of central India...
:-
This dance has been associated with the biggest Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
festival Diwali
Diwali
Diwali or DeepavaliThe name of the festival in various regional languages include:, , , , , , , , , , , , , popularly known as the "festival of lights," is a festival celebrated between mid-October and mid-December for different reasons...
. On the night of Diwali people worship Laxmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth (after all no body can live without money), and cattle. Next day on the occasion of "Padva" or "Parva" cattle are sent to jungles or ranches after being decorated with flowers and garlands. They are given special dishes as food. Yadav
Yadav
Yādav refers to an umbrella group of traditionally non-elite pastoral communities, or castes, in India and Nepal which since the nineteenth and twentieth centuries has claimed descent from the mythological King Yadu as a part of a movement of social and political resurgence.The term 'Yadav' now...
dance is performed on the same occasion.
Dancers dance in a circular path while singing songs. Sometimes they sit or lie down on earth and suddenly they restart their dance. Rhythm of the song is very low in starting and increases with time. Music instruments are started only when two lines of the song are finished. Primarily these are two line couplets. Sometimes these are in form of questions and answers. This dance continues till Kartik Purnima.
Dress:-
Dancers, instrument beaters and their associates wear a clean turban on head. Some people like to put on Dhoti up to knees (long cloth wore by men enwrapping their waist). Some people specially dancers wear colorful shorts. Dancers also keep bunch of peacock feathers.
Saharia
Saharia
Saharia, Sahar, Sehariya, or Sahariya is an indigenous tribe in the Madhya Pradesh province of India. The Saharias are mainly found in the districts of Morena,sheopur, Bhind, Gwalior, Datia, Shivpuri, Vidisha and Guna districts of Madhya Pradesh and Baran district of Rajasthan.-Etymology:The...
Dances:-
Saharias are tribal people who live in jungles. They work in farms and also collect medicinal plants from jungles. There are several dances of Saharias. Some of the important ones are: Lur Dance, Lanhgi Dance, Dul-Dul Ghodi Dance, Raya Dance, Ada-Khada Dance.
Lur dance of Saharias:-
This dance is performed on the occasion of marriage starting from the day of ritual of "Haldi" (In this ritual whole body is pasted with turmeric
Turmeric
Turmeric is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial plant of the ginger family, Zingiberaceae. It is native to tropical South Asia and needs temperatures between 20 °C and 30 °C and a considerable amount of annual rainfall to thrive...
and after sometime it is removed so the body is cleaned) till the arrival of Barat (Bridegroom comes to the house of the bride
Bride
A bride is a woman about to be married or newlywed.The word may come from the Proto-Germanic verb root *brū-, meaning 'to cook, brew, or make a broth' which was the role of the daughter-in-law in primitive families...
with his relatives and friends for marriage ceremony).
Lanhgi dance of Saharias:-
This dance is also known as Danda
Danda
In the Devanāgarī script, the danda is a punctuation character. The glyph consists of a single vertical stroke. The character can be found at code point U+0964 in Unicode. The "double danda" is at U+0965 . ISCII encodes danda at 0xEA....
(baton) dance because Saharias dance with small batons in their hands with which they strike at each other and perform Lanhgi dance. Only men are allowed in it. This dance is performed on the occasion of Bhujarias, Teja ji puja and Aekadashi etc.
Dul-Dul Ghori dance:-
This dance is performed on the occasion of marriage by males. In this dance a hollow case of ghori
Ghori
Ghori also refers to a resident of Ghor Province in Afghanistan----Ghori is a small town in Pakistani Controlled Azad Kashmir, located at 34°27'0N, 73°30'0E . It lies near to the epicentre of the 2005 Kashmir earthquake....
(mare) is prepared of bamboo sticks. The dancer stands in the hollow place and dances. (Depicts various movements of mare.) There is also a joker in women clothing. People sing folk songs during the dance.
Musical instruments:-
Mradang, Dholak
Dholak
The Dholak is a North Indian, Pakistani and Nepalese double-headed hand-drum Madal. The name dholki may also refer to a slightly different instrument that uses high-pitch tabla style syahi masala on its treble skin. This instrument is also known as Naal or Dholki....
, Ramtula, Dhapli, Manzira, Jhanz etc. are used in this dance.
Visiting places
Fort Sheopur:-The Rani Mahal, Darbar Hall and Saharia Museum are some attractive sites in the fort to visit.
Baradari, PWD Guest House and some pathways are also the points of interest for the people visiting the fort.
Doob Kund:-
In Sheopur district, there was a city in the Chambal
Chambal
Chambal may refer to:* Chambal Jatt* Chambal Division* Chambal River...
valley of Sheopur tehsil at some distance from river Kuno known as `Dom`. It was the capital of Kachhwaha Kingdom. Here stands 81 feet high, large and square `Chaubisi of Jain Tirthankaras`, which is still worth seeing. The pillars standing on the `Kalash` remind us of the art of their architects.
In the middle of the Chaubisi, one could see a kund where the statues where sunk. Since then, it is called Doob Kund. Outside it, there are the remains of Har Gauri Temple. This statuary group was built in 11th century.
Ram-Janki Temple:-
It is situated at the bank of Seep river, near to the fort of the sheopur. You can easily reach here by local transport system.
the temple was built in the 15th century and is famous for ram-janki statue. The mahant of the temple is shri Rambharos ji maharaj. Every year a big celebration is held on the occasion of Ramnavami, which is the main attraction of the temple.
Sangam Of Rameshwar:-
It is situated at the Sangam of rivers Banas, Seep and Chambal
Chambal
Chambal may refer to:* Chambal Jatt* Chambal Division* Chambal River...
is full of natural beauties. It is 959 feet high from seashore. Since rivers Banas, Seep and Chambal
Chambal
Chambal may refer to:* Chambal Jatt* Chambal Division* Chambal River...
join here, the place is known as the Sangam of Rameshwar. A local fair is held here every year. It is an attraction for the tourists especially for the people of Rajasthan
Rajasthan
Rājasthān the land of Rajasthanis, , is the largest state of the Republic of India by area. It is located in the northwest of India. It encompasses most of the area of the large, inhospitable Great Indian Desert , which has an edge paralleling the Sutlej-Indus river valley along its border with...
. Lord Parushram meditated here for long 12 years after killing his mother.
Vijaipur Durg:-
At the bank of river Kunari, there stands a fort known as Majhola durg. Vijay Singh, the King of Karauli
Karauli
Karauli is a town lying in the Indian state of Rajasthan. The town is the administrative center of Karauli District, and was formerly the capital of the erstwhile princely state of Karauli.-Geography:...
, built it.
Other places:-
- Dhuruvkund and Shivnath of Utanwad
- The Muth of Nimoda
- The temple of Devi Panwara
- The temple of Shironi HanumanHanumanHanuman , is a Hindu deity, who is an ardent devotee of Rama, a central character in the Indian epic Ramayana and one of the dearest devotees of lord Rama. A general among the vanaras, an ape-like race of forest-dwellers, Hanuman is an incarnation of the divine and a disciple of Lord Rama in the...
- The water temple of Baroda
- The temple of Khhetrapal Jaini
- The double bridge at the canal over seep river
Kuno Wild Life Sanctuary
Location:-Kuno wildlife sanctuary
Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary
Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary or Palpur-Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary lies in the Sheopur district of north western Madhya Pradesh, a state in central India. It is about 120 kilometres from Gwalior....
, located between latitudes 25degree 30second - 25degree 53second N and longitudes 77degree 07second – 77degree 26second E, is situated in the Sheopur district of north-west Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh , often called the Heart of India, is a state in central India. Its capital is Bhopal and Indore is the largest city....
. The total area is 344.686 km2 out of which 313.984 km2 is forest land and 30.702 km2 is revenue land in the Sheopur and Vijapur tehsils of Sheopur district. The Palpur (Kuno) wildlife sanctuary was notified vide Government of Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh , often called the Heart of India, is a state in central India. Its capital is Bhopal and Indore is the largest city....
Forest Department’s Notification No. 15/8/79/10/2, Bhopal, dated 16.1.1981.
This sanctuary is situated at Vijaypur and Sheopur tehsils in Sheopur district. It is 15 km. from the Sesaipura bus stand on Shivpuri-Sheopur road. It can be approached by bus or taxi from Sesaipura bus stand. It can also be approached from Pohari of district Shivpuri
Shivpuri
Shivpuri is a city and a municipality in Shivpuri district in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. It is in the Gwalior Division of northwest Madhya Pradesh and is the administrative headquarters of Shivpuri District. It is situated at an altitude of above sea level.-History:Shivpuri is an ancient...
at the distance of 25 km. The sanctuary is situated in an isolated hill, sloping in all directions.
Climate
Climate
Climate encompasses the statistics of temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, wind, rainfall, atmospheric particle count and other meteorological elemental measurements in a given region over long periods...
:-
The average rainfall in the area is 750 mm per year. The maximum temperature can rise up to 49 degree C while the minimum temperature recorded has been 2 degree C.
Physiography:-
The general physiography of the terrain is hilly. It comes under the Vindhya series. The sanctuary falls in the semi-arid zone and has a typical terrain of Central Indian highlands, interspersed with woodlands and meadows. The soil is sandy and sandy-loam, showing a spatial variation in depth. River kuno, a tributary of River Chambal
Chambal
Chambal may refer to:* Chambal Jatt* Chambal Division* Chambal River...
, vertically bisects the sanctuary from north to south. It occupies an area of 5.90 km2 in the sanctuary. A number of major of major nallahs like Lankahkhoh, Kudikheda, Durredi, Aamkhoh originate from the gorges located on the west, join river Kuno. Similarly, the Dabhona nallah, Naharkunda nallah, Gangoli nallah etc. originating from the eastern Khohs, meet the Kuno river at various sites.
Fauna
Fauna
Fauna or faunæ is all of the animal life of any particular region or time. The corresponding term for plants is flora.Zoologists and paleontologists use fauna to refer to a typical collection of animals found in a specific time or place, e.g. the "Sonoran Desert fauna" or the "Burgess shale fauna"...
:-
All the faunal representatives of the dry deciduous forest of the Central India can be found in Kuno i.e. Panther
Panthera
Panthera is a genus of the family Felidae , which contains four well-known living species: the tiger, the lion, the jaguar, and the leopard. The genus comprises about half of the Pantherinae subfamily, the big cats...
, Tiger
Tiger
The tiger is the largest cat species, reaching a total body length of up to and weighing up to . Their most recognizable feature is a pattern of dark vertical stripes on reddish-orange fur with lighter underparts...
, Chital, Sambhar, Black Deer, Chinkara, Bear, Blue bull, Chausingha, Jungle cat, Barking Deer, Monkey
Monkey
A monkey is a primate, either an Old World monkey or a New World monkey. There are about 260 known living species of monkey. Many are arboreal, although there are species that live primarily on the ground, such as baboons. Monkeys are generally considered to be intelligent. Unlike apes, monkeys...
, Jackals, Hyena
Hyena
Hyenas or Hyaenas are the animals of the family Hyaenidae of suborder feliforms of the Carnivora. It is the fourth smallest biological family in the Carnivora , and one of the smallest in the mammalia...
, Wild Boar, Fox, Kobra, Nag, Python, Peacock, Kala Teetar, Tree pie, Golden orioles, Drongo, Rollers, Jangli, murgi, Phakta, Bhura, Teetar.
Flora
Flora
Flora is the plant life occurring in a particular region or time, generally the naturally occurring or indigenous—native plant life. The corresponding term for animals is fauna.-Etymology:...
:-
The Kuno sanctuary consists of dry deciduous forests interspersed with grasslands. Tree : Kardhai, Gurjan, Kher, Kusum, Gurjan, Mahua, Guner, Haldoo, Kullu, Kahua, Semal, Bahera, Tendu, Palas, Bel, Chind, Anwala, Harsingar, Chind, Satawar; Parasites : Bamdha, Amarbel;Grasses : Doob, Lumpy, Machai, Guner, Ponea, Phulara.
How to reach:-
This sanctuary is situated at Vijaypur and Sheopur tehsils in Sheopur district. It is 15 km from the Sesaipura bus stand on Shivpuri-Sheopur road. It can be approached by bus or taxi from Sesaipura bus stand. It can also be approached from Pohari of district Shivpuri at the distance of 25 km. The sanctuary
Sanctuary
A sanctuary is any place of safety. They may be categorized into human and non-human .- Religious sanctuary :A religious sanctuary can be a sacred place , or a consecrated area of a church or temple around its tabernacle or altar.- Sanctuary as a sacred place :#Sanctuary as a sacred place:#:In...
is situated in an isolated hill, sloping in all directions.
Where to stay
Accommodation for Palpur Kuno Sanctuary :
Forest Rest House Sesaipura,
Karahal & Palpur (within sanctuary)
CONTACT: -
Divisional Forest Officer,
PALPUR SANCTUARY HQ AT shivpuri
Shivpuri
Shivpuri is a city and a municipality in Shivpuri district in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. It is in the Gwalior Division of northwest Madhya Pradesh and is the administrative headquarters of Shivpuri District. It is situated at an altitude of above sea level.-History:Shivpuri is an ancient...
- S.D.O.{F} PALPUR SANCTUARY HQ AT pohari.
- PWD Rest House, Sesaipura