Shivpuri

About:

Shivpuri District is a district of Madhya Pradesh state of India. The town of Shivpuri is the district headquarters. Important towns in the district are: Badarwas, Karera, Khaniyadhana, Kolaras, Narwar and Pichhore.

Shivpuri District has Narwar town of historical importance just east of the Kali Sind River, situated at a distance of 41 km from Shivpuri. It is famous for medieval fortress of Narwar.

Shivpuri is famous for Madhav National Park. This national park has a varied terrain of forested hills and flat grasslands around the lake. It is very rich in biodiversity. Sakhya Sagar and Madhav Sagar lakes, created on Manier River in 1918, are two important biodiversity support systems in the national park. The Sailing Club situated on Sakhya Sagar at the entrance of the National park is a place of scenic beauty.

Location info:

Climate/Weather:

Shivpuri has a cool and dry climate .The hot weather starts from about the middle of April and lasts up to mid of May. The temperature in June touches 42o C. By the end of June or by the 1st week of July, the monsoon breaks and the weather becomes cool, through humid. The district receives its rains from the Arabian Sea. The rains are over generally by end of September. Shivpuri receives on an average 875 mm of rain.

History of Shahdol

The district derives its name from God "Shiva". It was known earlier by the name ‘Sipri’. The Shivpuri place first found a mention during Mughal times in 1564 when Emperor Akbar is stated to have halted at this place. During that period it formed a part of Narwar Sarkar. Narwar or Narbar is a tahsil with a population of 6745 persons as per 1991 census, located at a distance of 43 kms from Shivpuri, the district head quarters. It has a very big ancient fort and a wealth of history behind. The district was known as Narwar district during the times of Gwalior State, although its Headquarter was at Shivpuri. Shivpuri remained with the Kachhawaha Rajputs upto 1804 when it was taken over by Scindia’s. It was captured by the English in 1817 but returned to Scindia’s next year and it continued to be a part of Gwalior state since then. In 1859 it is said that the great Indian leader Tatya Tope was hanged near the present Collectorate. Maharaja Madhav Rao Scindia paid much attention towards the development of Shivpuri. He constructed a big palace and also developed the city. It was the summer capital of Gwalior State and government offices were shifted here in summer months. Shivpuri was constituted as a district in erstwhile Madhya Bharat and continues as such with practically no change since 1951.

Shivpuri was awarded as Jagir to the Kachwahas of Narwar in the 17th century. It came under the rule of the Scindias in 1804, who granted it to one of their Maratha generals by name Ingle. Later, it was transferred to the HEIC in 1817 under a treaty, but the Scindias regained it in 1818.

Educational Institutions in Shivpuri:

Under Graduate Degree Colleges in Shivpuri, Madhya Pradesh:

KTM College, Shivpuri

Government College, Kolaras, Shivpuri

Government Chatrasal College, Shivpuri

Government College, Shivpuri

TT College of Physical Education, Shivpuri

Government Girls College, Shivpuri

Law Collegesin Shivpuri, Madhya Pradeshoffering Legal Education including Civil Law, Criminal Law, Business Law, Forensic Law etc. and courses such as Bachelor of Law (BL), Master of Law (ML) etc:

Government Post Graduate College, Shivpuri

Post Graduate Colleges in Shivpuri offering Post Graduate Degree coures such as MA/MSc/MCom/MBA/MCA etc. in the region. Generally, post graduate colleges in this region will be affiliated with the regional University:

Government Post Graduate College, Shivpuri

Langauges:

Culture:

Shivpuri is steeped in the royal legacy of its past, when it was the summer capital of the Scindia rulers of Gwalior. And earlier, its dense forests were the hunting grounds of the Mughal emperors when great herds of elephants were captured by emperor Akbar.

Much later, it was the Tiger that roamed the wooded hills and many a magnificent beast was 'bagged' by royal Shikaris . Today Shivpuri is a sanctuary for rare wildlife and avifauna. Its royal past has thus been transformed into a vibrant, hopeful present.

With its luxuriant forests and undulating hills, Shivpuri was a natural choice as the summer resort capital of the Scindias. Shivpuri's royal ambiance lives on in the exquisite palaces and hunting lodges and graceful, intricately embellished marble Chhatris (cenotaphs) erected by the Scindia rulers.

Shivpuri is mainly an agricultural district and so cultivation is the main occupation of the people .The dependence on cultivation can be viewed from the fact that 83.38 percent of the total workers of district are engaged in agriculture either as cultivators (70.40%) or as agriculture laborers (12.98%). Rice, Jowar, Bajra, Maize, Wheat and Barley are the main cereal crops. Gram & Tur (Arhar) are the main pulses grown in the district, Sugarcane, condiments and spices; sesamum (til) and linseed are other crops of the district.

Madhav is well known for the migratory waterfowl, which arrive from the North (mainly Siberia) to winter on and around the lakes. Dr. Salim Ali, world-famous ornithologist, has suggested that the lake be developed as a bird sanctuary and steps are now being taken to ensure that this is carried out. Bird life on the lake features many geese and ducks-whilst around the shores may be found several species of herons as well as storks and cranes. Taking the Lake view road, as described in circuit 3 may best see these.

Bird life in the forests is also plentiful, with many of the species typical of the habitat. A particularly good area for bird viewing is where the track crosses the wide, rocky stream, which flows, from the Waste Weir. Here there are annually Red-wattle lapwings, Large pied Wagtails, Pond herons and often a White-breasted kingfisher. Numerous other species may be seen, especially at dawn or dusk when the birds fly in to drink.

The species of trees commonly found in the district are Khair, Kardhai, Dhow, Salaj, Tendu, Palas, Mahua, Karch, Karey, Saja, Koha, Jamun, Saj.Dhaman Kaim, Semal, Tinach and Amaltas. The normal height of a tree is about 15O to 20O and the girth is 40 cm to 50 cm.

Wild life has been steadily declining in the district, due to indiscriminate shooting and cutting of forests. In ancient times the forests were thick and a good number of animals could be seen. The district has a national park where a good number of animals can be watched and admired. The following animals are still found.

Nahar tiger (Felis tigris), tendua–panther (pelis pardus), ladaya jackal (Cummins aurens), lakkad baggha hyena (Hyena striata), Bhalu, Sloth bear (Melxerus ursinus), Sambhar (Carvas unicolar), suar, wild bear (Sus crislatus), Lomdi-fox (Vulpes bengaleneis), Chinkara (Gasells benetti), Kala Hiran–black buck (Antelope cervicapra) and Langur black faced monkeys (Semli petheous entellus).

Among the main common birds, the following are found the common Myna, Shikra Hawk, The common Crow, The commons gray house Crow and all black crows, the harival green Pigeon, the Grey jungle fowl, The Mor-Peacock, Jungle bush Quail and bustard Quail.

How to reach Shivpuri?

Nearest Railway Station:

Nearest main railheads from Shivpuri are at Jhansi ( 101 Kms ) and Gwalior ( 120 Kms ) which are on the Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Chenni main lines. However, Shivpuri has its own railway station and the trains passes through shivpuri are :-

1. Indore-Dehradun via Delhi ( By Weekly).
2. Indore-Gwalior Intercity Express (Three days in a week).
3. Gwalior-Kota Passenger (Daily).

Nearest Airport:

The nearest airport to Shivpuri is Gwalior. This airport is well connected with Delhi, Bhopal, Indore and Mumbai.

Road Transport:

The district is much better off in its road communication for it lies 116 kms, south of Gwalior on Agra-Bombay National Highway No. 3 which is an excellent all weather road. This road connects the district to Gwalior, Agra and Delhi in the north and Guna, Bhopal, Ujjain, Indore and Bombay in the south. Apart from this Highway Shivpuri is well connected with Jhansi by all weather National Highway No. 25 which goes up to Kanpur, Lucknow and beyond. Another road connects Sheopur district. From the Agra Bombay National Highway another road branches off to Kota. There is no airport in the district. Recently Shivpuri has been connected by rail to Gwalior and Guna.

Road : Shivpuri is connected by regular bus services with Gwalior, Indore, Bhopal, Jhansi and Ujjain. Shivpuri is 120 KMS away from Gwalior on Agra Mumbai Road and 90 KMS away from Jhansi.

Tourist Attraction of Shivpuri:

Shivpuri’s royal ambience lives on in the exquisite palaces and hunting lodges and graceful erected by the Scindia rulers. Intricately embellished marble cenotaphs commemorating the Scindia rulers are a special attraction in Shivpuri.

George Castle was built in 1911 by the Scindia ruler Jiyaji Rao Scindia within the National Park at its highest point, for an overnight halt for tiger shooting by George V. He was to pass that way during his visit to India. It so happened that King could shoot a tiger on the way itself and did not stop at Madhav National Park. View of the lake and downhill surroundings from this point at the sunset is unique.

Madhav National Park

Tiger Safari

Chhatri

Madhav Vilas Palace

Geroge Castle

Boat Club

Other Tourist Places.

MADHAV NATIONAL PARK

Madhav National Park lies between Agra-Bombay road and Jhansi-Shivpuri Road. It is spread over an area of 157.58 Sq. Kms. A drive through the park watching animals is very exhilarating experience.Madhav National Park The Park is haven for wildlife and wildlife – buffs. The park remains open throughout the year and boasts of large numbers of chinkara, Indian gazelle and chital.

The nilgai, sambar, chausingha, blackbuck, sloth bear, leopard and the common langur are the other inhabitants of the sprawling park. The national park is equally rich in bird life; Chandpata, the artificial lake, is the winter abode of migratory geese, pochard, pintail, teal, mallard and gadwall. Other residents include the cormorant, laggar falcon, paradise flycatcher and golden oriole. Loud cracking notes of whitebrested kingfisher flying past,harsh crocking of grey heron or quacking of spotbill duck and numerous lesser whistling teals resting at the bank of lack with a leg tucked away and head folded back in to the body; and cheetal grazing here or nilgiri browsing there in the forest, add to the charm.The dynamism of the dry deciduous forest at the Park is unbelievable. Soothing lush green, impenetrable vegetation all over during the monsoon wither to desolate brown and Grey in summer, It nevertheless remains full of life Indeed, Madhav National Park is an oasis in the midest of habitation and cultivation.

TIGER SAFARI

A pair of tigers from Bhopal Van Vihar tigress Tara and Petu – each about 3 years old , were introduced in the Madhav National Park in fenced 140 hectare well preserved pocket, in October 1989. All the cubs of first litter died soon after birth,

The second litter of one male and two females in August 1991 fared well. In April 1993 the pair bred for the third time giving birth to 4 female cubs, all in good health. In November 1995, Tara gave birth to 4 more cubs – 2 male and 2 female. Now the total number of tigers in the safari is 12. The Safari provides a good opportunity to visitors to observe the tigers at close range.

CHHATRI (CENOTAPHS)

Shivpuri is famous for graceful,intricately embellishedMarble chhatries (cenotaphs) erected by Scindia Princes. Set in an elaborate Mughal Garden, are the cenotaphs, the royal Chhatries dedicated to Scindias.

Facing each other across a water tank are the Chhatries of Madhav Rao Scindia and dowager queen Maharani Sakhya Raje Scindia, in a delighful fusion of Hindu and Islamic architectural styles, with their shikhara – type spires and Rajput and Mughal pavilions. Ceremonially attired retainers, with flowers and incense tend to both cenotaph house life-size images of the Scindias, and these religiously, daily.

MADHAV VILAS PALACE

The summer palace of the Scindias, Madhav Vilas Palace, looks intensely alluring, dressed in soft shade of rose-pink.The MAHAL as it is popularly known, is attired with marble floors,elegant terraces and a Ganapati Mandap.

From the turrets, one can get a splendid view of Shivpuri town and Madhav National Park itself. Now this grand palace has converted in to the training center of Intelligence Bureau of Government of India, which is among the few training centers of Intelligence Buearo.

GEORGE CASTLE

Deep inside the Madhav National Park, at its highest point stands the George Castle built by Jiwaji Rao Scindia. The ideal time to visit the castle is at sunset, when Sakhya Sagar Lake seems to take the radiance and changing hues of the sky. The castle located at the central region of the Park provides a wonderful panoramic view of Sakhya Sagar and the spread of the forest around. It is intrusting to note that the grand George Castle was built by the Gwalior royalty for an overnight halt for tiger shooting by British King Geroge V, while he was to pass that way during his visit to India in 1911. It so happened that King could shoot a tiger on the way itself and did not stop at Madhav National Park.

SAKHYA LAKE AND BOAT CLUB

SAKHYA SAGAR LAKE AND BOAT CLUB Sakhya Sagar and Madhav Sagar, created on Manier river in 1918, are two important bio-diversity support systems in the Park besides several perennial and seasonal streams and nalls. A reptile hideout, Marsh crocodile, Indian Python and monitor lizard are some lakes known occupants at the few yards of entrance of Madhav National Park.

On the shores of the lake and connected to it by a broad pier is a boat club, an airy and delicate structure with glass panels. The boat club is also known as Sailing Club. Just stand by the railing of Sailing Club deck extending in to Sakhya Sagar and watch. The view of massive lake all around and the undulating, forested Vindhyachal hills beyond is mesmerizing. Now a days the boating has been banned keeping in view the safety of lives of tourists.

Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation in Shivpuri:

CHINKARA MOTEL

SHIVPURI HOTEL

HOTEL SONCHIRAIYA

DELHI HOTEL

TARUN RESIDENCY

HOTEL GREEN VIEW RESORT