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About
Shivpuri |
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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
elevation of 1,515 feet (462 m) above sea level. Shivpuri is
mainly an agricultural district and so cultivation is the main
occupation of the people.
This pretty little town with its luxuriant forests and hilly
environs used to be the summer capital of the Scindia rulers.
Madhav National Park is here, which not only provides
sanctuary the wildlife but also the avifauna. Prior to the
royal Scindias its dense forests were the hunting grounds of
the Mughal emperors when Emperor Akbar captured great flocks
of elephants. Much later, it was the tiger that wandered the
wooded hills and many a magnificent best was bagged by royal
shikaris. With its abundant forests and rolling hills,
Shivpuri was the natural choice as the summer resort capital
of the Scindias.
Shivpuri's royal ambience lives on in the beautiful places and
hunting lodges and graceful, intricately-embellished marble
chhatris (cenotaphs) erected by the Scindia princes. A
sanctuary for rare wildlife and avifauna, Shivpuri has
transformed a royal past into a vibrant, hopeful present. 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. 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. |
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History of Shivpuri |
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Shivpuri is an ancient town and a holy place. It received its
current name after independence in honor of the God Shiva. It is
sheered in the royal legacy of its past, when it was the summer
capital of the Scindia rulers of Gwalior. Earlier to that,
Shivpuri's dense forests were the hunting grounds of the Mughal
emperors. Emperor Akbar captured droves of elephants for his
stables while returning from Mandu in year 1564. The thick
forests are still there and continue to be a source of
forest-produce for domestic and industrial use.
Shivpuri was awarded as Jagir to the Kachwahas of Narwar in the
17th century. Shivpuri king and fort was won by Ranoji Bhoite, a
Maratha General of Chhatrapati of Satara on instructions of
Jankoji Shinde, Gwalior Chief. In February 1781, the
Scindiaslost a battle to the British there, which resulted in a
mutual-defense treaty the following October.
Shivpuri again 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. Shivpuri is also known as
Shimla of Madhya Pradesh because of it's geographical similarity
and weather in the winter. Tantya Tope was awarded death
sentence on 17 April 1859 by British Raj for his part in the
Revolt of 1857 in nearby Jhansi. He was hanged to death in
Shivpuri, at a site near the present collectorate. |
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Geography of Shivpuri |
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Shivpuri is located at coorg district. It has an average
altitude of 468 metres (1535 feet) shivpuri is a famous district
in Madhya Pradesh State. As of 2013 India census, Shivpuri had a
population of 3,16,859.
Flora
The species of trees generally found in the district are Dhow,
Khair, Mahua, Kardhai, Salaj, Tendu, Palas, Koha, Amaltas, Karch,
Karey, Saja, Jamun, Dhaman Kaim, Semal, Tinach and Saj.
Fauna
Fauna Wild life has been gradually 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 animals found are 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, Lomdi-fox (Vulpes
bengaleneis), Chinkara (Gasells benetti), wild bear (Sus
crislatus), Kala Hiran black buck (Antelope cervicapra) and
Langur black faced monkeys (Semli petheous entellus).
Among birds, the following are found the Myna, Shikra Hawk, the
common Crow, The Mor-Peacock, The commons gray house Crow and
all black crows, the harival green Pigeon, the Grey jungle fowl,
bustard Quail and Jungle bush Quail. The avifauna also includes
the cormorant, paint stork, white, purple sunbird, paradise
flycatcher and golden oriole. |
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Tourist Attractions of Shivpuri |
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Shivpuri’s royal ambience lives on in the beautiful
palaces and hunting lodges and stylish which are erected
by the Scindia rulers. Intricately embellished marble
cenotaphs commemorating the Scindia rulers are a special
attraction in Shivpuri.
Chhatris (cenotaphs), Shivpuri
Chhatris were set in a formal Mughal garden, with quiet
corners under flowering trees, interconnected by pathways
with ornamental balustrades & illuminated by Victorian
lamps, is the complex in which the cenotaphs of the
Scindias are set. Facing each other across a water tank
are the chhatris of Madho Rao Scindia & the Dowager queen
Maharani Sakhya Raje Scindia, synthesizing the
architectural idioms of Hindu & Islamic styles with their
shikhara-type spires & Rajput & Mughal pavilions.
Sakhya Sagar Lake, Shivpuri
Sakhya Sagar Lake is founded on the Manier River in 1918,
is situated on the edge of forests of Madhav National
Park. On the shores of the lake is a boat club which is
also known as Sailing Club, a well-ventilated delicate
structure with glass panels. Sakhya Sagar Lake is the
habitat of a variety of reptiles; some occupants are Marsh
or Mugger crocodile, Indian Python & Monitor Lizard.
Nowadays, boating has been banned keeping in view the
safety of tourists.
Madhav Vilas Palace
Madhav Vilas Palace is the summer palace of the Scindias,
Madhav Vilas Palace, looks extremely attractive, dressed
in a soft shade of rose - pink. The Mahal is decorated
with marble floors, elegant terraces and a Ganapati Mandap.
Deep inside the park, at its highest point stands the
George Castle which was founded by Jiyaji Rao Scindia. The
best time to visit the castle is at sunset, when the
Sakhya Sagar Lake seems to take on the warmth and changing
hues of the sky.
George Castle
George Castle was founded 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 are distinctive.
Sakhya Sagar Lake
Lacing the forest cover of the National Park is the Sakhya
Sagar Lake which is home to various reptiles like, marsh
crocodile, the python and the monitor lizard. On the
shores of the lake, and connected to it by a pier, is a
Boat Club which is an elegant structure.
Bhadaiya Kund
Bhadaiya Kund, is another picnic spot along a natural
spring, the waters of which are said to be rich in
minerals, of a remedial nature. Bird life in the forests
is also plentiful, with many of the species typical of the
habitat.
Madhav National Park, Shivpuri
Madhav National Park lies between Jhansi-Shivpuri road. It
spreads over an area of 157 sq. km. The park is open
throughout the year. With a diverse landscape of wooded
hills, the forest being dry, mixed & deciduous with flat
grasslands around the lakes, it offers abundant
opportunities of sighting a variety of wildlife. The
prominent species that inhibits the park is the deer, of
which the most easily sighted are the attractive little
chinkara, the Indian gazelle, & the chital.
Other residents are sambar, nilgai, chausingha or
four-honed antelope, sloth bear, black buck, leopard & the
omnipresent common langur. The National Park is equally
rich in avifauna. The artificial lake, Chandpatha, is the
winter home of migratory geese, pochard, pintail, teal,
mallard & gadwall. A good site for bird watching is where
the forest track crosses the rocky stream that flows from
the waste weir. It is difficult to visit the place without
private vehicle. |
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Climate of Shivpuri |
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Shivpuri has a hot summer, a rainy monsoon season and a chilly
winter. Summer temperatures range around 36 °C from April to
June. During the monsoon, the weather is milder but wet from
July to August and the winters from October to March are
pleasant during the daytime when sunny but nights are cold. |
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Places Around Shivpuri |
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Around Shivpuri Wildlife National Park
In the nearby environs of Shivpuri National Park there is a
natural spring called Bhadaiya Kund, which produces mineral rich
water considered to have healing properties. There are a number
of interesting tourist destinations around Shivpuri. The best
way to travel around the Shivpuri National Park is by jeep.
Jeeps are readily available for hire.
Karera Bird Sanctuary
Karera Bird Sanctuary is 45 kms away from shivpuri, it is treat
for bird lovers. The great Indian Bustard, a protected bird can
be seen here.
Chanderi
Chanderi is about 127 kms away, it is a heritage village which
is known for the fine sarees woven by the traditional weaving
community of Chanderi.
Heritage Sites
Heritage sites nearby where forts, temples and monasteries can
be seen include Surwaya, Bundela, Marwah and Narwar all within
20-40 Km away from Shivpuri.
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How To Reach Shivpuri |
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By
Rail
Jhansi is the nearest railway station which is at a distance of
100 Km from Shivpuri. Jhansi is connected to Mumbai and Delhi by
train.
By Road
Shivpuri is connected by regular bus services with Gwalior,
Indore, Bhopal, Jhansi and Ujjain. Shivpuri is 115 KMS away from
Gwalior on Agra Mumbai Road and 98 KMS away from Jhansi.
By Air
The nearest airport is at Gwalior, which is about 112 Kms away
and drive down to Shivpuri. There are flights to Gwalior from
all major cites such as Mumbai, Delhi, Indore and Bhopal - the
capital of Madhya Pradesh. |
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