Chhindwara Pincodes

Chhindwara district, located in Madhya Pradesh, India, with its headquarters in the town of Chhindwara, is the largest district in the state, covering an area of 11,815 square km. It’s a part of the Jabalpur division. The district gets its name from the ‘Chhind’ tree, commonly found in the area. Established on November 1, 1956, Chhindwara lies in the southwest region of the Satpura Range. Geographically, it extends from 21.28 to 22.49 degrees North latitude and 78.40 to 79.24 degrees East longitude. It’s bordered by Nagpur district of Maharashtra to the south, Hoshangabad and Narsinghpur districts to the north, Betul district to the west, and Seoni district to the east.

History:

The early history of Chhindwara is largely unknown. However, copper-plate inscriptions from the area and nearby Seoni suggest that the Vakatakas ruled here until the 3rd century CE. By the late 7th century, their power waned, and the Gaulis took over. The district’s southern part was under the Rashtrakutas for some time, as indicated by a 9th-century copper plate given to a Kannada Brahmin in a village, possibly today’s Mohgaon in southern Chhindwara.

Chhindwara’s detailed history begins with the Gond dynasties in the 14th century. Before that, the region’s history is sparse, with the western part possibly being part of the Kherla kingdom in Betul. Deogarh, on the Chhindwara plateau, was the last stronghold of the Gaulis. Gond dynasty’s founder, Jatha, is said to have defeated Gauli chiefs Ransur and Ghamsur. Under the Mughals, Deogarh became a tributary state. King Bakht Bulund, a powerful Gond ruler, embraced Islam during Emperor Aurangzeb’s reign. By 1720, he had asserted considerable independence and expanded his territory.

The Marathas eventually took over Deogarh, and it became part of the Bhonsles of Nagpur’s domain. The British East India Company seized the kingdom in 1803, and after the 1857 rebellion, Chhindwara became part of the Central Provinces and Berar. Following India’s independence in 1947, it joined the state of Madhya Bharat, which later became Madhya Pradesh. Initially, Nagpur was Chhindwara’s capital, but in 1956, when Maharashtra was formed and Nagpur became part of it, Chhindwara was reconstituted with its own capital.

Geography:

Chhindwara district’s geography can be broadly categorized into three regions. The western region, which includes the towns of Junnardeo and Parasia, and the central region, encompassing Chhindwara, parts of Amarwara, and the northern part of the Sausar region, is predominantly a plateau. The northern region lies in the higher areas of the Satpura Range and also includes a section of the Narmada valley plains. The district’s altitude varies significantly, ranging from 1,550 feet (470 meters) to 3,820 feet (1,160 meters) above sea level, with an average elevation of around 2,215 feet (675 meters).

Chhindwara is traversed by five major rivers: the Kanhan, Pench, Jam, Kulbehra, and Shakkar. The Kanhan River flows south through western Chhindwara before joining the Wainganga River, while the Jam River, primarily running through the Sausar area, also merges with the Kanhan. The Pench River, flowing along the borders of Chhindwara and Seoni districts, joins the Kanhan in Nagpur District. Additionally, the Kulbehra River originates in Umreth, passes through Chhindwara and Mohkhed, and eventually meets the Pench River. The district is also rich in forests, covering over one-third of its area (about 4212.556 km2). These forests are home to commercially valuable species like bamboo, teak, harra, saalbeej, and tendu patta.

Demographics:

Chhindwara district, located in Madhya Pradesh, India, has a diverse demographic profile. According to the 2011 Census, the district’s population is around 2,090,922. This population is a mix of various communities and cultures, contributing to the district’s rich cultural tapestry.

In terms of religious composition, the district is predominantly Hindu, with a significant portion of the population practicing Hinduism. There are also minority communities, including Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, and Jains. These diverse religious groups live together, contributing to the district’s multicultural environment.

Language-wise, Hindi is the most commonly spoken language in Chhindwara. It is used for daily communication as well as in administrative and educational settings. Additionally, regional dialects and languages like Bundelkhandi and Gondi are spoken by specific communities within the district. These languages reflect the local cultural and ethnic diversity.

Overall, Chhindwara district’s demographic composition, with its blend of different religions and languages, mirrors the broader diversity of Madhya Pradesh. The district’s population is a microcosm of the cultural and social pluralism that characterizes much of central India.

Administration:

Chhindwara district, located in Madhya Pradesh, is administratively divided into 13 tehsils, which are key local government units. These tehsils include Amarwara, Bichhua, Chand, Chourai, Harrai, Junnardeo, Mohkhed, Pandhurna, Parasia, Sausar, Tamia, Umreth, and Chhindwara itself. Each tehsil functions as a distinct administrative segment, managing local governance and development. Additionally, the district comprises 11 development blocks, which are smaller administrative units focused on rural development. These blocks are Chhindwara, Parasia, Junnardeo, Damua, Tamia, Amarwara, Chourai, Bichhua, Harrai, Mohkhed, Sausar, and Pandhurna. These blocks play a vital role in implementing local development and welfare schemes.

In terms of urban local governance, Chhindwara district features a variety of urban administrative bodies. There is one Nagar Nigam (municipal corporation) in Chhindwara, which is responsible for the overall development and administration of the city. Additionally, there are 8 Nagar Palikas (municipalities) in Parasia, Junnardeo, Damua, Bichhua, Pandhurna, Sausar, Amarwara, and Chourai. These municipalities manage smaller towns and urban areas. Furthermore, the district has 9 Nagar Panchayats (town councils) in Chandameta-Butaria, Newton Chikhli Kalan, Chand, Harrai, Mohgaon, Chourai, Bichhua, Lodhikheda, and Piplanarayanwar. Beyond these, Chhindwara also includes eleven small towns such as Umranala, Dighawani, Jata Chhapar, Iklehra, Pagara, Kali Chhapar, Damua, Pala Chourai, Bhamodi, Ambada, and Barkuhi, each with its own local governing body.