Nagpur Through Time: Tracing the Fascinating History of the Orange City

Nagpur is a city in the central Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the second capital of Maharashtra after Mumbai. The city is located on the Nag River, and is known for its historical importance, as well as its modern development. This article describes the history of nagpur through time.

The earliest known reference to Nagpur is found in a 10th-century copper-plate inscription discovered at Devali in the neighboring Wardha district. The inscription is a record of grant of a village situated in the visaya (district) of Nagpura-Nandivardhana during time of Rastrakuta king Krsna III in the Saka year 862 (940 CE).

The city was founded in the early 18th century by Bakht Buland Shah, a Gond raja. He named the city “Fanindrapura”, which means “City of the Serpent God”. Bakht Buland Shah was a great builder, and he constructed many temples and palaces in Nagpur. He also built a strong wall around the city to protect it from invaders.

Also Check: Must Visit Hidden Places of Nagpur

History of Nagpur under the Bhonsle Rule

History of Nagpur (Raghuji_Bhonsle) - Namaste Nagpur

The Bhonsle dynasty was a powerful Maratha clan that ruled Nagpur for over a century, from 1743 to 1817. The Bhonsles were originally from the town of Bhonsale in the Satara district of Maharashtra. They rose to prominence in the early 18th century under the leadership of Raghoji I Bhonsle. Raghoji I Bhonsle was a skilled military leader, and he expanded the Bhonsle kingdom to include much of central India.

In 1743, Raghoji I Bhonsle made Nagpur the capital of his kingdom. Nagpur was a strategic location, and it was well-positioned to control trade routes in central India. Raghoji I Bhonsle also built a number of forts and temples in Nagpur, and he made the city a center of learning and culture.

The Bhonsle rule in Nagpur was a time of peace and prosperity. The Bhonsles were tolerant rulers, and they welcomed people of all faiths to Nagpur. The city became a major center of trade and commerce, and it was home to a diverse population of Hindus, Muslims, and Christians.

The Bhonsles also made significant contributions to the development of Nagpur. They built roads, canals, and irrigation systems. They also established schools and hospitals. Nagpur became a major center of learning under the Bhonsle rule.

The Bhonsle rule in Nagpur came to an end in 1817, when the British East India Company conquered the city. The British ruled Nagpur for over a century, until India gained independence in 1947.

The Bhonsle rule in Nagpur was a golden age for the city. The Bhonsles were tolerant and progressive rulers, and they made Nagpur a center of trade, commerce, learning, and culture. The Bhonsle legacy is still evident in Nagpur today, and the city continues to be a major center of economic and cultural activity in central India.

History of Nagpur Under the British Rule

The English rulers considered Nagpur as the centre of India and hence identified this point and constructed the Zero Mile Stone. Being at the center of the country, they also had a plan to make Nagpur the second capital city.

The British East India Company ruled Nagpur from 1817 to 1947. The British took control of Nagpur after defeating the Bhonsle dynasty, a Maratha clan that had ruled the city for over a century.

The British rule of Nagpur was a period of great change for the city. The British built roads, railways, and canals, and they established schools and hospitals. They also introduced new technologies, such as the telegraph and the printing press.

The British also made significant changes to the administration of Nagpur. They replaced the traditional system of hereditary rulers with a system of British-appointed officials. They also introduced a new system of law and order.

The British rule of Nagpur was not without its problems. The British often discriminated against Indians, and they were sometimes heavy-handed in their administration. However, the British also made significant contributions to the development of Nagpur, and the city prospered under their rule.

The British rule of Nagpur came to an end in 1947, when India gained independence. Nagpur became part of the newly independent nation, and it has continued to grow and prosper ever since.

History of Nagpur after Independence

Nagpur has a long and rich history, dating back to the 4th century. However, its most significant period of growth and development came after India gained independence in 1947.

In the immediate aftermath of independence, Nagpur became the capital of the new state of Madhya Pradesh. This made it a major center of political and administrative activity, and it attracted a large influx of people from all over the state. The city also benefited from a number of infrastructure projects, including the construction of new roads, railways, and schools.

In 1956, the Indian states were reorganized along linguistic lines. As a result, Nagpur lost its status as the capital of Madhya Pradesh, but it was granted the status of “second capital” of the new state of Maharashtra. This meant that Nagpur would continue to be an important center of government and administration, even though it was no longer the capital.

In the decades since independence, Nagpur has continued to grow and develop. It has become a major commercial and industrial center, and it is home to a number of educational institutions, including the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) and the National Law University (NLU). Nagpur is also a major religious center, and it is home to the Shri Ramkrishna Mission Ashram and the Nagpur Buddhist Vihara.

Today, Nagpur is a vibrant and cosmopolitan city with a population of over 2 million people. It is a major center of economic activity, education, and culture, and it is well-positioned to continue to grow and prosper in the years to come.

Nagpur Through Time

4th Century

The city of Nagpur is founded by the Gond King of Deogarh, Bakht Buland Shah.

Year 1703

Chand Sultan, successor to Bakht Buland Shah, constructs a three-mile long wall around his City by the Nag River.

Year 1743

Raghoji Rao Bhosale, the Maratha ruler of Vidarbha, establishes himself at Nagpur and makes it the capital of his kingdom.

Year 1817

The British East India Company defeats the Bhosale rulers of Nagpur and annexes the city.

Year 1853

Nagpur becomes the capital of the Central Provinces, a British province in central India.

Year 1903

Berar, a neighboring princely state, is merged with the Central Provinces.

Year 1947

India gains independence from Britain. Nagpur becomes the capital of the new state of Madhya Pradesh.

Year 1956

The Indian states are reorganized along linguistic lines. Nagpur loses its status as the capital of Madhya Pradesh, but it is granted the status of “second capital“ of the new state of Maharashtra.

Year 1956

B. R. Ambedkar converts to Buddhism in a public ceremony in Nagpur. This event marks the beginning of the Dalit Buddhist movement.

Year 1960

The state of Maharashtra is formed from the Marathi-speaking areas of Madhya Pradesh and Bombay. Nagpur remains the second capital of Maharashtra.

Year 1970

The Nagpur Improvement Trust (NIT) is replaced by the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC).

Year 1983

The IIT Bombay campus is established in Nagpur.

Year 1994

The 1994 Gowari stampede occurred at Nagpur, India on 23 November 1994 in which 114 people from the Gowari community were killed and 500 more injured.

Year 2014

The Government of Maharashtra gave approval for the Metro Project

Year 2015

(IIM) Indian Institute of Management was established

Year 2019, 8 March

Prime minister Narendra Modi inaugurated operations on Nagpur Metro on 8 March 2019 via video conferencing along with Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis and Union Cabinet Minister Nitin Gadkari

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