Hoshangabad
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| ?Hoshangabad Madhya Pradesh • India |
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| Coordinates: | |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
| Area • Elevation |
• 278 m (912 ft) |
| District(s) | Hoshangabad |
| Population | 97,357 (2001) |
Coordinates: Hoshangabad is a city and a municipality in Hoshangabad district in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. It is a city in the central india region, located on the south bank of the Narmada River, and is the administrative center of Hoshangabad District.
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[edit] History
The city was earlier called Narmadapur after the river Narmada however later the name was changed to Hoshangabad.
One more thing which comes from official site of Hoshangabad District:- The district takes its own name from the head quarters town Hoshangabad which was founded by "Sultan Hushang Shah Gori", the second king of Mandu (Malwa) in early 15th century.[1]
[edit] Geography
Hoshangabad is located at [2]. It has an average elevation of 278 metres (912 feet).
coor title dms|22|45|00|N|77|43|12|E
The city is famous for the beautiful Sethani ghat along the banks of river Narmada. There are colourful celebrations in the city on Narmada Jayanti. During celebrations this year the CM announced that efforts to rename the town. A Satsang Bhavan on the ghat has regular visits by Hindu saints who hold regular religious discourses on Ramcharitmanas and Geeta.
Northern boundary of the district is river Narmada. Across this the district of Raisen and Sehore lies. The district of Betul lies in the south, where as the Harda district faces with the western and south-western boundaries and Narsingpur and Chhindwara districts, close to the north-eastern and south-eastern sides of the district respectively.
In Hoshangabad district, there are two main rivers namely the Narmada and the Tawa., which join each other at the village Bandra Bhan. In the spot, a holy mela also organise on the occasion of Kartik purnima. Other small rivers are the Dudhi and the Denwa.
A very big lake is also at Pachmarhi, which is one of the main tourist place of the district and it is open for boating for all tourists.
Hoshangabad is freely connected by road and rail from the state capital, Bhopal and it is about 70 km away from it. It is connected by rail with all major cities of the state. One of its tehsil namely Itarsi is linked with all major cities of the country due to main railway junction of the central railway, which is 18 km away from the district head-quarter. From Itarsi, you can also move to Pachmarhi by road, which is one of the most popular tourist spot of the district.
[edit] Demographics
As of 2001 India census[3], Hoshangabad had a population of 97,357. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Hoshangabad has an average literacy rate of 73%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 80%, and female literacy is 66%. In Hoshangabad, 13% of the population is under 6 years of age.
EDUCATION
In Hoshangabad district, there are 960 Primary Schools, 207 Middle Schools, 69 Senior Secondary Schools and 9 Schools are operated by Tribal Department. There are 11 Colleges and 1 is Polytechnic College. All the colleges are functioning under Bhopal University, Bhopal. There is no other technical and medical college in the district. In Hoshangabad, there is one office on Saksharta Programme and a lot of literacy programmes are in-progress under the guidance of Zila Saksharta Office to literate the people.
Out of 11 colleges, seven are Post Graduate Colleges. Post Graduate courses in Science/Arts/Commerce are availbale at the following Colleges:
1. Narmada Maha Vidyalaya, Hoshangabad 2. Home Science College, Hoshangabad 3. Mahatma Gandhi Smiriti Maha Vidyalaya, Itarsi 4. Kusum Mahavidyalaya, Seonimalwa 5. Makhanlal Chaturvedi Mahavidyalaya, Babai 6. Shaskiya Kanya Mahavidyalaya, Pipariya 7. Shaskiya Snatkottar Mahavidyalaya, Pipariya
Total Literacy of the District : 54.11%
Male Literacy of the District : 67.19%
Female Literacy of the District : 39.29%
[edit] Economy
The security paper mill (SPM), on the outskirts of the town, is a PSU printing currency notes. Many educational institutions here were established by prominent visionary late Pt. R L Sharma.
The Economy largely depends on the agriculture. The land is quite fertile here and farmers have plenty of water supply throughout the year in form of river Narmada and heavy monsoon. The farmers employ rotation of crops and their major income depends on Soyabeen and Wheat.
The city has traditional way of living with many engaged in occupations just enough for sustaining life.
In Hoshangabad district, there is only one industry namely Security Papers Mill, Hoshangabad which is functioning under the Ministry of Finance, Government of India. Other this there some units are also working i.e. Ordinance Factory, Itarsi which works under Ministry of Defence, Government of India and Railway Engineering Factory, Diesel Shade, Oil Federation (manufacturing plant), Banapura. The main trade in the district are Handicraf , Silk, Leather, Pulses etc. Other these, the main business deals in the delivering of Sand and Tiles which come from river Narmada.
In Hoshangabad district, a big agriculture Mandi is located in the Itarsi town and there are other four mandis also in district. Itarsi Mandi is centre business point of the district and other main business place is Piparia town. However, Itarsi town is main Railway junction in the country which joins all the four corners of the country e.g. Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkatta & Chennai and it also joins other places in the county along with state by rail and by bus for managing the business.
[edit] Nearby attractions
- Old age rock painting on pahdiya (small hills) two kilometers away from the main city.
- Bandhrabhan - a holy fair takes place every year at Bandhrabhan as it is a meeting point of two main rivers Narmada and Tawa.
- Salkanpur - Goddess Durga temple approximate 35 km from Hoshangabad. It can be reached via Budni or from the Bhopal-NasurullaGanj route. It is approximately 70 km from Bhopal.
- Sethani Ghat - This is an old ghat built on the bank of river Narmada. Many temples are situated near to this.
- Hushang Shah Fort - This is an old fort built by Malwa ruler Hushang Shah. This is located adjacent to river Narmada.
[edit] Chidikho
Chidikho is situated within the Narsinghgarh Wildlife Sanctuary in Rajgarh District of Madhya Pradesh. The famous lake of Chidikho was constructed in the year 1935 by the rulers of Narsinghgarh state. The main attraction of the area is the waterbody in the shape a Chidiya (Bird) spread over 22 hectares and also a permanent source of water to wildlife especially in summers. One can enjoy the nature walks and wilderness of the area. A watch tower named as Chacko Point can be used to watch wildlife. The wild life population in adjoining areas of Chidikho consist of Panther, Sambhar, Blue Bull, Chital, Chinkara, hyena, Wild boar, Peafowl, Crocodiles, Black buck. Small animals like Porcupine, Common Langur, Jackals Rattles etc. are also part of attraction. Reptiles like Cobra, Krait and Tortoise are added attractions. Large variety of residents and migratory birds of 48 families and 164 species like Egrets, Storks, Ibis, Eagle, Kingfisher, Lapwing, Orioles, Hornbills, Woodpeckers, Hoopoe, wild cock, Partridge and Parakeets are found here. One can also Paradise Fly Catcher the state bird of Madhya Pradesh. This area also falls in the route of migratory birds moving from north to central and southern parts of the country. Interpretation Centre just at the gate way of the Sanctuary. Chidikho is situated at distance of 80 km from Bhopal approachable through NH12, 221 km from Indore through NH3 and NH12 and also 278 km from Kota (Rajasthan). A motor drive of four km from the main road to the reservoir adds to the thrill.
[edit] Bhimbetika
The painted rock shelters, which are 10000 years old at, Bhimbetika is declared by UNESCO a World Heritage Site, situated in the sanctuary area. It attracts one lakh visitors annually for the archeological and historical value in terms of knowledge of different types of historic activities through the paintings on the rocks of the place and adventure sports activities like rock climbing in the adjoining areas. The tourist can halt at Obedullahgunj for the night stay. There is good parking facility but there is a need to develop drinking water facility, toilet facility, Interpretation centers and recruitment of knowledgeable interpreter or guide at the site. The existing activities include boating in Ratapani reservoir. Various proposed activities are " Development of tekking trails. "Angling at Ratapani reservoir." Wildlife viewing from watch tower and hides. " Bird watching with experts. " Bush walk with guides.
[edit] Pachmarhi and Satpura Tiger Reserve
Pachmarhi, the only hill station of Madhya Pradesh, and a pilgrimage site for Siva bhaktas from the surrounding country side, is now the base for enjoying the natural riches of the Satpura Tiger Reserve as well. The tiger reserve encompasses the oldest forest reserve of India, the Bori Wildlife Sanctuary, and the breathtaking scenery of the Pachmarhi Wildlife Sanctuary along with the Satpura National Park. It was at Pachmarhi where Captain James Forsyth constructed the famous Bison Lodge and founded the Forest Department of Madhya Pradesh. His travelogue titled 'The Central Indian Highlands' on his march from Jabalpur to Pachmarhi in 1861-62, transports one into the long lost times of tribal culture and rich wilderness.
[edit] References
- ^ Hoshangabad District Government Website
- ^ Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Hoshangabad
- ^ Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns. (Provisional). Census Commission of India. Retrieved on 2007-09-03.
