Unchehra

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Unchehra is a block and one of six tehsils of Satna district (i.e.Majhganwa, Sohawal, Rampur Baghelan, Nagod, Unchehra, Amarpatan, Ramnagar, Maihar) situted around 24 degree 20 minute North Longitude, 80n degree 44 minute East Latitude in the viscinity of Vindhya Range in the Central India. The region comes under metamorphic rock, a part of Godvana land and siesmic zone 1, about National Highway -7 [which joins Varanasi and Kanyakumari]. The tarred road route joining Chitrakoot and Amrkantak passes though the town. Unchehra is 25 km away from Satna district head-quarter along Allahabad-Jabalpur railway track in Western Central Railway zone. The river Barua is surrounding the town from three sides except in south where Bader Hill ranges in whose vicinity Unchehra town is situated. In north, there are Vaishnava temples known as Akhadas in which Janakiraman Akhada is very famous, close to this there is a mazaar (seat) of Sufi Saint, Naugaza Baba. In South, there are Ramdevalaya Mandir and a Takiya (seat) of Tajuddin Muhiballi Sain Baba. In East, it Kabir Math and Raj Mandir (Royal Temple) of Parihar Rajputa Maharajas, and a kothi (Fort) of maharajas cover the area.

In 17th Century, Raja Chain Singh defeated Dhar Singh (Teli) and established this place. Being at higher elevation compared to surroundings, it was called ``Uchchakalpa’’. Earlier, Uchchakalpa was made capital of the Nagod State. Later, its name was connoted as Unchehra. Uchchakalpa is now vanished leaving only remains in the name of Khoh village.

According to Sati Lekha (1404 Vikrama Era, Kaimore) Maharaj Shri Rajdeva was ruler of this place and there successors Shri Ramdeva Singh, Shri Chhatrasaal Singh Ju deva are still enjoying the royalty.

Due to vast natural resources (e.g. Firewood from near Forests), Tamrakars are preeminent inhabitants of this place who do business of brass, bronze metal, and especially of phool [an alloy of Copper (Cu-79%) and Tin (Sn- 21%)] works and they are also known as Kasera or Thathera Vaishyas. They wear Yagyopavit, their holy river is Ganga, holy tree is Pipal, and they worship Goddess Devi Vindhya Vasini. They also call themselves Haihaivansi Chhatriya. But their origin is still not identified. Unchehra is very famous for its phool (branze) metal works which is the only special art, still existing with its full glamour.

Unchehra Janpad-Panchayat consists of 20 members and its Vikas-Khand consists of 66 Gram-Panchayats which includes total 322 Villages. Langargawan Railway station (about 15 km from Unchehra towards Satna) comes under Unchehra Tehsil. Work of Unchehra Tehsil started systematically from 2001. In Unchehra, infrastructure and facilities e.g. Bloc-Office, Tehsil, Police-Station (under a Town Inspector), Hospital, Office of Forest Department, Post-office, Telecom-Office, Waiting rooms at Bust Stand and Railway Station (Completed in around 1948), Schools upto higher secondary, Madhya Pradesh Bhoj University, two Dharmashalas etc are available for people.

Major business is of Tamrakars and others do for general local needs. There are no other factories or industries around it except Cement Factory in Maihar, Satna, and Rewa. This area is treated as backward because educated persons have no jobs in hands except doing general shops for local needs. Now there is awareness for services and jobs in government and public sectors. Students are performing well in their school exams and bring their names in state's merit lists. Further there is new zeal among students, as few of them has performed best in national level examinations.

Unchehra extends from 24 degree 12 minute to 24 degree 34 minute in North, and from 80 degree 26 minute to 80 degree 56 minute in East with total area of 767.493 Hectares (1 Hectare = 10,000 meter square) at average elevation from sea Level of 626.06 m. According to Census 1991, Total Population was 112337 with Growth rate of 24%, Sex Ratio of 923, Scheduled Cast (SC) percent of 17.73, Schedule Tribe (ST) percent of 19.75 and Literacy of 29.75%. Average rain rate in this area is 900 cm. In summer season, (March-June) temperature goes to 40 degree maximum. Nearest Air port is Khajuraho on NH-75,