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?JABALPUR Madhya Pradesh • India
JABALPUR
Coordinates: 23°09′N 79°58′E / 23.15, 79.97
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
Area • Elevation	10,160 km² (3,923 sq mi) • 393 m (1,289 ft)
District(s)	Jabalpur
Population • Density	1,117,200 (2001) • 110/km² (285/sq mi)
Mayor	Sushila Singh
Codes • Pincode • Telephone • Vehicle	• 482 00x • +0761 • MP-20

Coordinates: 23°09′N 79°58′E / 23.15, 79.97 Jabalpur (Hindi: जबलपुर) is a city in the state of Madhya Pradesh in India. It is located in the Mahakoshal region in the geographic center of India.

Jabalpur is the administrative headquarters of Jabalpur district and Jabalpur division.It is one of the highest income tax paying city to Indian Government since headquarters of many important Central & State Departments are situated here where thousands of government employees work. It is also known as Sanskardhani ("cultural capital of Madhya Pradesh").

The numerous gorges in the neighboring rocks have been taken advantage of to surround the city with a series of lakes, which, shaded by trees and bordered by crags, add much greenery to the suburbs. However, many of these lakes now have been encroached upon for the purpose of fishing or for building works, although greenery still exists.

The city itself dates from the nineteenth century, and is laid out in wide and regular streets. It has a beautiful collection of marble rocks called Bhedaghat surrounding the holy Narmada River. Many visitors every year come to visit Jabalpur because of this major attraction. Jabalpur is an important junction for the Indian Railways.

Jabalpur has a big Defence and Military Center - HQ of the MPBO Area, the headquarters of West Central Railway Zone, the Madhya Pradesh State Electricity Board,^[1] and the Madhya Pradesh High Courts.^[2] It is also known for housing spiritual leaders like Maharishi Mahesh Yogi of Transcendental Meditation and Bhagwaan Rajneesh (Osho).

Contents 1 Origin of Name 2 History 3 Geography 4 Topography 5 Climate 6 Demographics 7 Education and Research 7.1 Universities in Jabalpur 7.2 Engineering Colleges 7.3 Management Colleges 7.4 Medical College 7.5 Law Colleges 7.6 National level Research Institutes 7.7 Undergraduate Degree Colleges 7.8 Major Schools 8 Economy 9 Culture 10 Transportation 11 Tourism 12 Famous Personalities from Jabalpur 13 References 14 External links

Jabalpur was previously known as Jubbulpore during the British Raj. The name of the city Jabalpur is basically derived from an Arabic word "Jabal" which means "Mountain" pointing to the ancient trade connection with Arab countries. The name reflects the influence of the Arab traders who visited the city during the Middle Ages.

Another Belief is that a mythological figure known as Sage Jabali apparently lived in the area during the Ramayana era. In December 2006, the Jabalpur Municipal Corporation moved a resolution to rename the city to Jabalipuram and sent it to the state government.^[3][4][5]

It is believed that Jabalpur is the tapasya bhumi of a mythological figure known as sage Jabali, from whom the name Jabalpur is derived. Ashokan relics have been found. Later on it was the capital of the famous Tripuri kingdom (9th–10th centuries).

In AD 875, it was taken over by the Kalchuri dynasty who made Jabalpur their capital. In the 13th century, the Gonds seized it and made it their capital. Inscriptions record the existence during the 11th and 12th centuries of a local line of princes of the Haihai people who are closely connected with the history of Gondwan. In the 16th century the Gond raja of Garha Mandla extended his power over fifty-two districts, including the present Jabalpur. During the minority of his grandson, Asaf Khan, the viceroy of Kara Manikpur, conquered the Garha principality and held it at first as an independent chief. Eventually he submitted to the Mughal emperor Akbar. From time to time, the Mughal rulers tried to overrun it. The legendary Gond Queen Rani Durgavati also died fighting the Mughal forces led by the great Mughal Emperor Akbar. The Mughal Empire, however, enjoyed little more than a nominal supremacy; and the princes of Garha Mandla maintained a practical independence until their subjugation by the Maratha governors of Sagar in 1781. In 1798 the Maratha Peshwa granted the Narmada valley to the Bhonsle princes of Nagpur, who continued to hold the district until the British occupied it in 1818 after Defeating the Marathas. The British made Jabalpur the commission headquarters of the Narmada territories and established a cantonment here.

Under the British Raj, Jabalpur became the capital of the Saugor and Nerbudda Territories, which was part of the British North-Western Province. At that time it became infamous for the Thuggee murderers, but made more famous by the man who suppressed thugee, Col. Sleeman, who was also appointed commissioner at Jabalpur. The Saugor and Nerbudda Territories became part of the new Central Provinces in 1861 which in 1903 became the Central Provinces and Berar. By the early 20th Century Jabalpur was the headquarters of a brigade in the 5th division of the Southern Army.

An important landmark event was the holding of the Tripuri Congress session in 1939 that was presided over by Subhash Chandra Bose. Politically under Lokmanya Tilak's direction Jhanda Satyagraha was launched with success (who visited 3 times) Mahatma Gandhi visited 4 times and famous Congress session was held at Tripuri (Jabalpur) in 1939 when Subhash Chandra Bose was elected the Congress President against the wishes of Mahatma Gandhi. Methodology of two thoughts to achieve freedom was formulated in the session. A memorial Kamania gate was erected in city.

Jabalpur was the home of famous businessman Seth Govind Das of Malpani family.

After India's independence in 1947, the Central Provinces and Berar became the Indian states and later on in 1956, Madhya Pradesh was created.

Jabalpur is located at 23.17° N 79.95° E.^[6] It has an average elevation of 411 metres (1348 feet).

The map of Jabalpur can be seen here at ^[7]

The exceptional Topography of Jabalpur with hills all around the city gives it a picturesque setting. Some of the Hindi movies have been shot here. The picturesque setting though is a nightmare for town planners and developers. The Central Railways has constructed railway lines winding along these hills, somewhat akin to a horseshoe. A railway journey to the city is a singular experience with beatific old world charm.

The hills of Jabalpur, with varied mineral content are the preferred destination for Geologists and Archeologists. Paleontologists, with the finding of a fossilized Dinosaur, come in hordes looking for some more clues on the world before the last Ice Age.

The city has the typical hot and dry temperate of the Great Indian Plateau. Jabalpur is hot during summers with temperatures up to 47 degree Celsius but the winters are quite comfortable. The July to September months bring heavy rains with the onset of the South Western monsoon. The October to March window during the winters is suitable for a visit to the city.

As of 2001 India census^[8], Jabalpur had a population of 1276853. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Jabalpur has an average literacy rate of 75%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 79%, and female literacy is 70%. In Jabalpur, 12% of the population is under 6 years of age. Jabalpur is among the cities having Million plus population in India according to the 2001 Census.

The city is considered to be a base for higher education. This was true particularly in earlier years. In the fifties and sixties, the colleges were widely known and famous in Madhya Pradesh and outside. Political activism of 1970s and 1980s briefly took away much of that sheen.

• Rani Durgavati University

The Rani Durgavati University formerly University of Jabalpur enjoys the accredited status and has been graded as B++ by NAAC - National Assessment and Accreditation Council.This assessment was held in 2002.

• Jawaharlal Nehru Agricultural University

Jawaharlal Nehru Agricultural University is located in northern side of Jabalpur and provides Education, Extension, Research to students as well as farmers. The university has self evaluation system to offer B.Sc. Agriculture, M.Sc. Agriculture, B.Tech., Ph.D. in different areas. Mission to conduct Education, Research and Extension activities for enhancing productivity, profitability and sustainability of agricultural production systems and quality of rural livelihood in the state of Madhya Pradesh. Mandate to serve as a center of teaching and research in the field of agriculture and Allied Science. To disseminate technology to farmers, extension personnel and organizations engaged in agricultural development through various extension programme.

• The Jabalpur Engineering College (JEC)

Jabalpur Engineering College previously know as Government Engineering College, Jabalpur (originally named Robertson Engineering College) was established in 1947 has the distinction of being the second engineering college to be set up in India and with the largest alumni association group named as Jabalpur Engineering College Alumni Association (JECAA). It is one of the premier colleges in Central India. The high voltage laboratory of Electrical Engineering Department is among the only 5 such facilities available in India. The capacity of high voltage laboratory i.e. 1.6 million impulse volts generation is unique in Asia even.It was established by Prof. Sahu and Prof. R.D. Sharma. Mechanical and civil lab are also unique in terms of facilities of instruments and other things. Professors of the college are well known across most of engineering colleges of country as great authors also. In year 2007 it celebrates its 60 years of establishment as Hirak Jayanti.

• Pandit Dwarka Prasad Mishra Indian Institute of Information and Technology Distribution and Management

This is an AIEEE affiliated Institute.

Other Engineering Colleges in the city are

• Gyan Ganga Institute of Technology & Sciences

• Gyan Ganga College of Technology

• Guru Ramdas Khalsa Institute of Science & Technology

• Takshila Institute of Technology

• Shri Ram Institute of Technology

• Hitkarni College of Engineering Technology

• Millenium College of Professional Education & Research

• University Institute of Computer Science & Applications

• Centre for Management Studies

• University Institute of Management

• Indian Institute of Materials Management

• Xavier Institute of Development Action and Studies (XIDAS)

• Netaji Subhash Chandra Medical College

The Netaji Subhash Chandra Medical College graduates about one hundred doctors every year. It also runs residency programs in all major subjects including Surgery, Anesthesiology, Pediatrics, Internal Medicine, Orthopedics, Pathology, Obstetrics and Gynecology.

The other major Medical Colleges are

• Jabalpur Institute of Health Sciences, Jabalpur

• Anushree Homoeopathic Medical College

• Government Ayurved College

• Hitkarini Dental College & Hospital

• Shri Ram Nath Singh Institute of Pharamceutical Sciences

• Indian Institute of Para-medical Technology

• Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Vedic Vishwavidyalaya

• N.E.S. Law College

• Hitkarni Law College

• Shri Neelkanth Law College

• Department of Law, Rani Durgavati University

There are other research institutes having university status

• The Tropical Forest Research Institute (TFRI)

• State Forest Research Institute

• Weed Research Institute

• Government Model Science College

Government Model Science College is one of the pioneering educational institutes of Jabalpur. It was established in 1836 and degree courses in science started in 1896. The institute is working under the autonomous scheme. Government Model Science College is accredited with grade A from NAAC.

• Government Mahakoshal Arts & Commerce Autonomous College

• Government M B Arts & Commerce Autonomous College for Women

• Government M H College of Home Science & Science for Women

• GS College of Commerce & Economics

• Mata Gujri Mahila Mahavidyalaya, Jabalpur

• St. Aloysius College

• St. Aloysius Senior Secondary School

• St. Joseph's Convent School

• St. Norbert Girls Higher Secondary School

• Central Schools (Kendriya Vidyalaya)

• Christ Church Boy's Senior Secondary School

• Christ Church Girl's Senior Secondary School

• Delhi Public School

• Guru Gobind Singh Khalsa Higher Secondary School

• Narmada Group of Schools

• Pandit Lajja Shankar Jha Government Model Higher Secondary School (Model School)

• St. Gabriel's Higher Secondary School

• St. Thomas Higher Secondary School

• St. Xaviers High School

Jabalpur district with River Narmada bringing in fresh water from the Vindyachal Ranges has developed into an agrarian economy. The land of the Narmada basin with its fertile alluvial soil gives good yields of sorghum, wheat, rice and millets in the villages around Jabalpur. The State of Madhya Pradesh is the largest producer of Soybeans and the district of Jabalpur occupies a place of pride in agriculture production.

Important among commercial crops are pulses, oilseeds, cotton, sugar cane and medicinal crops. The state is poised for a breakthrough in soybean cultivation. In the state Kharif crops occupy 60% and Rabi crops 40% area with 71.4% area under food grain production. Nearly 59% of landholders are marginal whereas small farmers share 18% of farmland. Low literacy (35.45%), undulating topography, large waste land (13.2%), under developed irrigation potential (23%), low ground water utilization, large proportion of rain fed agriculture (75%), practice of Kharif fallows (3.6%), low cropping intensity (131%), low fertilizer consumption (50 kg/ha), high proportion of low value crops, and high population of low productive live stock are the major constraints of the state.

Jabalpur has a variety of Industries too. Most of these have their bases in mineral substances of economic value found in the district. Ready-made garments industry is one of the most popular and profitable business in Jabalpur. Bidi manufacturing, lime stone related industries, Electrical goods, Saw mills, Food Processing Industries are the major business areas in this region. Some other industries are Telephone Parts, Furniture, Building Materials, Ammunitions and glassware.

The economy of Jabalpur primarily revolves around the Ordinance Factory and the Defence establishments started in the early 20th century. Jabalpur is having Four Ordinance Factories. The Gun Carriage Factory was started in the year 1904 well equipped and manufacture gun parts, mounting , shells and a variety of the other product for war purpose. Vehicle Factory Jabalpur was started as manufacturer of trucks named Shaktimann. Other two are Grey Iron Foundry and Ordinance Factory Khamaria.

Jabalpur also has Head quarter of Madhya Pradesh State Electricity Board, Homeguards and many other State and Central Government Offices. Telcom Factory, Telcom Training Centre, Tropical Forest Research Institute, Survey of India are some important offices.

The people are simple and hardworking. The presence of the sacred Narmada and the rule of Gond and Maratha dynasties has made Jabalpur a primarily Hindu dominated area. The Mughal rule brought in a sizable Muslim population. The city has seen the worst form of Hindu Muslim riots in the 60s. The rise in the population of the city especially village folk migrating to the city are settling in slums on the outskirts of Jabalpur. The estimates are that by the year 2015, the population of the city will double to a whopping two million people.

Hindi is the first language of the state and spoken and understood in the city. The Mughals brought Urdu and the influence of Maratha rulers has given Marathi to the multilingual culture of Jabalpur. The people are religious and celebrate most of the festivals of India in their singular boisterous style. The tribes of Madhya Pradesh have added color to the festivities with a number of dance forms. The typically Gond dance Karma associated with fertility is performed in the month of August. According to Indian mythology ,Lord RAMA's son Kush had his palace located in gaurighat(now gwarighat)which is still a part of this extra-ordinary city but unfortunately this palace had sinked.

Jabalpur is one of the major cities in Madhya Pradesh so transportation is not an issue here.Jabalpur Airport is an ultra mordern airport with improved facilities,where both chartered and regular flight service fly,it is now possible to travel from Delhi to Jabalpur and back in a day, thus improving business. Air Deccan is providing regular services to Delhi-Bhopal-Jabalpur route & Kingfisher Airlines is also running daily services from Jabalpur to Indore & Mumbai. Jabalpur is well connected to Nagpur, Bhopal, Allahabad and Jaipur so you can travel easily by roads also. Soon air services will also become available from Indian Airlines on Delhi-Jabalpur route.

Jabalpur it is well-connected with mail and super fast trains from Mumbai, New Delhi, Ahmedabad, Bhopal, Howrah, Patna, Lucknow, Chennai, Bangalore, Nagpur, Kota and Jaipur . Apart from broad gauge rail-ways Jabalpur is notable for having narrow gauge rail-ways (which connect with Gondia). Work to convert this Gondia-Jabalpur narrow gauge to broad gauge has been started and will provide new opportunities as Southern India will be reachable quickly .This route will decrease the time taken by trains running from Delhi to Chennai by at least three hours. Recently the new Star-Buses have started operating within the city in circuits. So, it is now easier to travel to various destinations within the city comfortably.

• Bhedaghat - Marble Rocks.

This small village of Jabalpur district situated on the banks of river Narmada and widely famous for its marble rocks is at a distance about 25 km from Jabalpur by road. Soaring in glittering splendour, the marble rocks at Bhedaghat rise to a hundred feet on either side of the Narmada. The serene loveliness of the scene is one of cool quiet, the sunlight sparkling on the marble-white pinnacles and casting dappled shadows on the pellucid waters. Sunlight, now glancing from a pinnacle of snow-white marble reared against the deep blue of the sky as from a point of silver ; touching here and there with bright lights the prominences of the middle heights; and again losing itself in the soft bluish grays of their recesses….. Here and there the white saccharine limestone is seamed by veins of dark green or black volcanic rock; a contrast which only enhances, like a setting of jet, the purity of the surrounding marble.

• Dhuandhar.

The famous waterfall is located just 25 km from Jabalpur. The waterfall is known as Dhuandhar ('Dhuan' is the Hindi word for smoke) since the water droplets at the fall go above in concentrated mass and create illusion of vapours.

• Balancing Rocks.

Jabalpur is also famous for eroded volcanic rock formations called as Balancing Rocks of Jabalpur.

• Chausatyogini (Sixty Four Lady Yogis).

Situated atop a hill rock and approached by a long flight of steps,the Chausat Yogini Temple commands a singularly beautiful view of the Narmada flowing through the jagged gorge of Marble Rocks in Bhedaghat. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, this 10th century temple has exquisitely carved stone figures of deities belonging to the Kalchuri period. According to a local legend, this ancient temple is connected to the Gond Queen Durgavati's palace through an underground passage.

• Bargi Dam.

It is a multipurpose project on river Narmada. It's also a tourist spot, recently the local authorities have started a cruise boat which runs on the reservoir of Bargi dam.

• Rani Durgavati Memorial and Museum.

Dedicated to the memory of the great Queen Durgavati is her memorial and a museum which houses a fine collection of Sculptures, Inscriptions and Prehistoric Relics.

• Kanha Kisli National park.

Jabalpur is nearest big city to go to Kanha Kisli National Park which is one of the biggest national parks in India and has the distinction of successfully implemented Project Tiger, as tiger conservation program in India. Every year the park attracts large number of tourists for watching tigers from close proximity. The park is also the birth place of the Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling. Jabalpur also has Bandhavgarh and Pench national reserve forest very close by, and well connected through road.

• Madan Mahal Fort.

Built by the Gond ruler Raja Madan Shah, in 1116 atop a rocky hill, the fort dominates the skyline and provides a panoramic view of the town and the country side around it.

• Sangram Sagar and Bajnamath.

These medieval constructions were built by the famous Gond King Sangram Shah between 1480-1540.

• Tilwara Ghat

From where Mahatma Gandhi's ashes were immersed in the Narmada, and venue of the open session of the Tripuri Congress in 1939.

The major Hotels in Jabalpur are

• Gulzar Towers
• Hotel Kalchury
• Hotel Prestige Princess
• Hotel Rishi Regency
• Hotel Satya Ashoka
• Shikhar Palace
• The Samdariya
• Vijan Palace
• Welcomheritage
• Narmada Jacksons
• Hotel Krishna

There were many film personalities who either had there homes in Jabalpur or were associated with Jabalpur. Jaya Bachchan was born in Jabalpur. Her father Tarun Bhaduri was a correspondent of Statesman and staying in Jabalpur before shifting to Nagpur and Bhopal. The house in which she was born has been demolished. Premnath and Rajindernath, the sons of Kartar Nath who was the owner of Empire Talkies (now closed) belonged to this place. Raj Kapoor and Prem Chopra are sons-in-law of Kartar Nath, a former SP of Rewa State. Raghuvir Yadav had his home in Ranjhi of Jabalpur. Ashutosh Rana have completed his college here. Adesh Shrivastava, the music director was brought up in Jabalpur. Dada Moni Ashok Kumar was a student of Robertson College which was then situated in a building that now encompasses the Civil Engineering block of Govt. Engineering College.

Even in games and athletics there were regular competitions in this city. Great players of India played on its fields. There used to be Ranji Trophy matches and first class cricket matches with teams like West Indies on the Garrison ground. Cricketers like Vinoo Mankad and Mushtaque Ali played International matches in Jabalpur. We had seen Chuni Goswami and Mewa Lal, the great footballers in action. There used to be wrestlers like Dara Singh showing their bouts within the ropes. Moreover, the game of Snooker was conceived in Jabalpur in the Narmada Club. priya bhurrak,who has been renouned for "arts and culture"belongs to this beautiful city.

If you visit Jabalpur and you are fond of eating, you should try the famous "kachauri" at the thirty year old shop " Dwarka Sweets" situated at the Bus Stand.

This article incorporates text from the Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition, a publication now in the public domain.

• Official Website
• Jabalpur travel guide from Wikitravel

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