About:
Dr. Bharatkumar Bhate is M.S. General Surgeon (Gold Medalist) by qualification with an experience of 30,000+ operations and is based at Rajkot, Gujarat. He is an avid reader and a passionate writer. In this blog, he shares his travel experiences and creative writings.
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Blog:
M.P. Tour : Chapter 2: Bundelkhand
Jejakabhukti is an old name of Bundelkhand which occupied a large territory between Yamuna and Narmada river. It was initially ruled by the Chandela dynasty followed by the Bundela Dynasty. The name Bundelkhand is derived from Bundela rulers.
Bundelkhand was a state of India until it was merged into Vindhya Pradesh in 1948 and thus it lost its entity. Currently, Vindhya pradesh also does not exist and its place is taken by Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. Territory of Bundelkhand is now spread across these two states. An agitation is going on for making a separate state of Bundelkhand, by merger of 7 districts of U.P. and five districts of M.P.
Chandela dynasty had 22 rulers and they ruled this territory of central India from the year 831 to 1359. It was a golden period during which Khajuraho temples were built. Original capital of Chandela rulers was Khajuraho which was later shifted to Kalinjar, and again later to Mahoba.
Subsequent to Chandela came the Bundela Dynasty, which had 15 rulers for the next 500 years, and ultimately it succumbed to the British Empire. Orchha and Jhansi Forts were built up by the Bundela rulers.
Bundelkhand has been invaded by many Muslim rulers like Sher Shah Suri, Gazni, Akbar, Lodhi etc. In 1602, Akbar had destroyed Orchha to take revenge for supporting Saleem in a revolt. However, Akbar died in 1605 and for the next 23 years, Bundela ruler Raja Virsingh Deo had good friendship with Mughal Emperor Jehangir (Saleem). He constructed an elegant Jehangir Palace in 1606 for his visit to Orchha. The situation again changed during the rule of Aurangzeb. Bundela ruler Maharaja Chhatrasal faced an attack from the Mughal emperor. He called Maratha rulers for help against the Mughals in 1779. Bajirao Peshva defeated the Mughals and got Mastani as a return gift.
There are four major rivers of Bundelkhand, Betwa being the important one. After making a dam over the Betwa river, irrigation has made land fertile. This dam also produces hydro-electricity. Bundelkhand is full of forests and has tigers as major attractions. Panna is popular for diamonds and it is said that the lucky tourists may spot and get small diamonds across the streets of the city! Bandhavgadh is a forest where white tigers are spotted by fortunate tourists. Waterfall is another attraction during and after the rainy season. Temples of Khajuraho are the main tourist destinations and they fetch travellers from all over the world. I am also here to watch Khajuraho temples.
Bundelkhand has given us great artists, writers, novelists, actors, freedom fighters and national leaders. We feel proud of them. Just to name a few : Goswami Tulsidas, Maithili Sharan Gupt, Indeevar, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, Acharya (Bhagwan) Rajneesh, Pankaj Mishra, Joy Mukherjee and so on. Maharani Laxmibai, Tatya Tope and Chandra Shekhar Azad are immortal names. One Bandit queen was also from this area.
Jhansi and Sagar are two major cities of Bundelkhand. Orchha is on the banks of Betwa river and was the capital city from 1501. We have started our journey from Jhansi. The railway station is named after Maharani Laxmibai, a popular 1857 freedom fighter.
Friends, please wait for my next writing. Till then, have a nice time.
Dr.Bharat Bhate