Betul district

Betul district (Hindi pronunciation: [bɛːt̪uːl]) is a district in the southern part of Madhya Pradesh state in central India. The city of Betul serves as its administrative headquarters. The district is a part of Narmadapuram Division. The district lies along the Satpura Range bordering the Narmada Valley and Berar Plains. The district has much religious significance, namely the source of the Tapti River at Multai and the Jain temples of Muktagiri. History History of Betul traces its origin to Satyug according to Skand puran river Tapti in Satyug came to earth for protecting world from excessive heat therefore Tapti is also known as Adi Ganga. Moreover Lord Ram also passed through Betul during his pathway to south, Pandavas passed through Betul during the Agyaat vaas in Vidharbha and built a temple of Shiva in Barahling. Between 161 BC and 130 BC, Betul was the kingdom of the Kundala. From 9th to 12th century, the history of Jains is found in Betul, and its historical evidence can be seen in Muktagiri group of temples. A copper plate from the Rashtrakutas for a land grant was found in Multai dating from the 8th century, showing they had some control. At the end of the 13th century, Betul is mentioned again in the biography of Mukund Swami Raj, a revered saint who lived during the time of a Raja Jaitpal of Kherla and was sponsored by him. Founder of Sikhism Guru Nanak also visited the holy city and meditated for 15 days in Multai at the origin of holy river Tapti. According to the historian Firishta, Kherla was part of the Gondwana region and was ruled by Narsingh Rai who appears to have been a Gond Raja in the 14th century. In 1398, encouraged by the Sultans of Malwa and Khandesh, Narsingh Rai invaded Bahmani territory and devastated the region up to Mahur. In retaliation, the Bahmani Sultan led an expedition against Narsingh Rai seeking tribute, when Narsingh Rai responded defiantly, a battle was fought in which Kherla lost. Kherla then became a Bahmani vassal. In 1425, Hoshang Shah of Malwa invaded Kherla but lost twice. The third time he invaded the Kherla ruler didn't have time to organise a defence and asked for held from his overlords. Ahmed Shah fought a battle with Hoshang Shah and defeated him. In 1433 Hoshang Shah invaded Kherla again and killed Narsingh Rai, ending his dynasty, and annexed his territory to the Malwa Sultanate. In 1467, the Nizam-ul-Mulk, Governor of Berar, invaded Kherla again, having been provoked by Malwa's invasion of the Deccan. The Malwa and Bahmani armies fought a large battle, but the Bahmanis won and took the Kherla Fort. According to Firishta, the Bahmanis insulted the Kherla defenders and two Rajput brothers decided to avenge their honour. They pretended to kiss the feet of the governor, snatched swords from the guards and killed the governor, and died defending themselves. In the following negotiations, Kherla was returned to Malwa. The most popular of the Gond kings was Eel. During 16th and 17th century. Khedla fort of Betul was continuously invaded by the Mughals. Betul seems to have been part of the Kherla Sarkar of Ellichpur Subah, which also included parts of Chhindwara and Wardha districts. The north of the district was likely forested and did not have much Mughal control. During the age of Mughal decline, Bakht Buland Shah, Ruler of Deogarh, annexed present Betul. In the 18th century, the area of Betul was ceded to the Maratha ruler of Berar Raghavji Bhosale, In 1818 AD in Sitavardi, the British Maratha war was fought. In the Treaty, the entire area of Betul was given to the British. During British period, the headquarters of Betul was at Betul Bazar. In 1822, the British shifted the district headquarters to Baddnoor dhana and made Betul the district headquarters. In the older times, Betul was called Badnoor Badd means bad and noor means eye and so Badnoor means evil eye. It is said that in the old times, criminals were kept at this place after mutilation. Hence the name of this place came to be known as Badnoor during the reign of be known as the Gond kings. Initially, Betul was divided into four administrative regions Bhaggudhana, Chunnidhana, Baddnoordhana and Tikari. Betul is called by the British as the area with a wonderful natural environment and Betul's natural beauty and high mountain peaks of Satpura range has mesmerized the crown hence Betul was described as a destination of vacations for British officials. Betul is going to complete the 200 golden years of its establishment in 2022. It was the same year in Shimla the capital of Himachal Pradesh when British officer Ross constructed the first British residence, a mere wood cottage. His successor Lt. Charles Patt Kennedy' erected the first pucca house in 1822 named after Lt. Kennedy as 'Kennedy House' of Shimla . Officer from northern command visited Betul and mentioned Betul and Shimla as the two faces of one coin in his dairy. Since then the unbroken relationship between Shimla and Betul which was established by the British in the pages of history continues till today. Once a freedom fighter was hanged in Faasi mines and since the area around named as Fassikhadan. The historic Kamani Gate was part of the Victoria Hostel built in the year 1902, where the children of British officers/employees and merchants were sent to stay for education. The Hindi meaning of Betul in cottonless, Cotton was not grown in this region of Berar. For this reason, it was named Betul. Betul is remembered for the forest Satyagraha that took place in 1930. Ganjan Singh Korku and Banjari Singh Korku were prominent leaders of the movement. During this Satyagraha, mostly Gond and Korku tribals, sometimes with the leadership of Congress leaders and often against their direction, went to forests and cut trees and grass under the control of malguzars. Geography It lies almost wholly on the Satpura range and occupies nearly the whole width of the range between the Narmada Valley on the north and the Berar plains on the south. Betul district situated in the heart of India has the distinction of being the place of origin of the holy river Tapti and Wardha. Situated at the focal point of Akhand Bharat, this district shelters the tribal culture. This tribal-dominated district is situated between the Satpurs hills and Berar plains in the south. Demographics According to the 2011 census Betul district has a population of 1,575,362, roughly equal to the nation of Gabon or the US state of Idaho. This gives it a ranking of 314th in India (out of a total of 640). The district has a population density of 157 inhabitants per square kilometre (410/sq mi). Its population growth rate over the decade 2001–2011 was 6.85%. Betul has a sex ratio of 970 females for every 1000 males, and a literacy rate of 70.14%. 19.62% of the population lives in urban areas. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes made up 10.11% and 42.34% of the population respectively. The district has an area of 10,043 km2 (3,878 sq mi). Religion Hindus are by far the most numerous with 95.58% and Muslims are 2.39%. Those from tribal religions are 0.83%, while Buddhists who were 9,600 in number. Languages At the time of the 2011 Census of India, 44.69% of the population in the district spoke Hindi, 27.69% Gondi, 12.86% Marathi, 11.13% Korku and 1.69% Bengali as their first language. The local Hindi dialect is close to Malvi with some influence from Marathi and Bundeli. The dialect of Pawari/Bhoyari is exclusively spoken by the people of Kshatriya Pawar (Bhoyar Pawar) caste. Hindi is spoken throughout the district, especially in Multai and Amla tehsils, while Gondi is a majority or significant minority in Chicholi, Shahpur, Ghoda Dongri, Bhainsdehi and Athner tehsils. Marathi is spoken in the southern part of the district bordering Maharashtra. Main tribes inhabiting the district are Gonds and Korkus. The remaining population are castes like Kshatriya Pawar (Bhoyar Pawar), Rajput, Brahmin, Maratha, Chamar, Mali, Pal, Patil, Kalwar, Kunbi and Soni. Tourist attractions Major Tourist Attraction of Betul District :- Muktagiri - Muktagiri is a major Jain area, with many prominent Jain temples known for their architecture and spirituality. Kukru - Khamla - Kukru Khamla is a major hill station and tourist destination of Betul district, it is very popular among tourists for its coffee plantations, sunset and windmills. Multai - Multai is known for the origin of the Tapti River and the temple of Maa Tapti. Salbardi - Salbardi is a very popular place in Betul district, it is known for its cave temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Balajipuram - Balajipuram is a major temple located near Betul which is very popular for its architecture and religious and spiritual significance. Education Kendriya Vidyalaya, Betul Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Betul Little Flower Senior Secondary School, Betul R D Public School, Kalapatha, Betul Satpuda Valley Public School, Sonaghati, Betul ELC English School, Betul Rathore College and School, Betul Government Jaywanti Haksar Post Graduate College, Betul Government Polytechnic College, Betul Shri Ram Pharmacy College, Jamthi, Betul Institute of Computer Science and Technology, Sadar Betul H.L. Agrawal B.Ed. College, Betul Shri Balaji Institute of Technology & Management, Betul Government Girls College, Betul Government Industrial Training Institute, Betul Transport Betul railway station is a major railway station of its District, located between Bhopal and Nagpur station. Economy Betul is the fastest developing district of Madhya Pradesh according to ministry of statics. Betul is emeriging as an example of development from bottom to top .As in 2006 the Ministry of Panchayati Raj named Betul one of the country's 250 most backward districts (out of a total of 640). It was one of the 24 districts in Madhya Pradesh previously receiving funds from the Backward Regions Grant Fund Programme (BRGF).But today Betul has successfully achieved the title of one of the fastest emerging district in the central zone. References External links Official website