Bundelkhand

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Bundelkhand
Jejakabhukti
Historical region
Proposed state
Jahangir Mahal, Orchha
Jahangir Mahal, Orchha
Location of Bundelkhand in India
Location of Bundelkhand in India
Coordinates: 25°26′N 78°34′E / 25.44°N 78.57°E / 25.44; 78.57Coordinates: 25°26′N 78°34′E / 25.44°N 78.57°E / 25.44; 78.57
Country India
Area
 • Total70,747 km2 (27,316 sq mi)
Elevation
250−300 m (−730 ft)
Population
 (2011)
 • Total18,335,044
 • Density260/km2 (670/sq mi)
Demonym(s)Bundelkhandi/Bundeli
Languages
 • Major languagesBundeli,
Hindi
Time zoneUTC+05:30 (IST)
 • Summer (DST)+05:30
Historical capitalsOrchha (1501),
Panna (1732),
Bijawar (1765),
Ajaigarh (1765),
Separated statesOrchha,
Panna,
Bijawar,
Ajaigarh,
Datia,
Khajuraho,
Kalinjar,
Mahoba,
Charkhari,
Jaitpur,
Kulpahar,
Samthar,
Sarila,
Gursarai,
Barua sagar,
Moth,
Chirgaon

Bundelkhand (/ˈbʌndɪlˌkhʌnd/, Hindi: [bʊn.d̪eːl.kʰəɳɖ]) is a geographical and cultural region and also a mountain range in central & North India. The hilly region is now divided between the states of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, with the larger portion lying in the latter state.

Jhansi is the largest city in Bundelkhand. Another major city of Bundelkhand is Sagar being second largest city of Bundelkhand and headquarter of Sagar Division.

Etymology[edit]

Bundelkhand means "Bundela domain".[1] The region was earlier known as Jejabhukti or Jejakabhukti ("Jeja's province"). According to the inscriptions of the Chandela dynasty, this name derived from Jeja, the nickname of their ruler Jayashakti. However, it is possible that the name derives from an even earlier name of the region: "Jajhauti" or "Jijhoti". After the Bundelas replaced the Chandelas around 14th century, the region came to be known as Bundelkhand after them.[2]

Proposed Bundelkhand state[edit]

Bundelkhand comprises parts of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. While Bahujan Samaj Party government under Mayawati had proposed in 2011 creation of Bundelkhand from seven districts of Uttar Pradesh, organizations such as Bundelkhand Akikrit Party and Bundelkhand Mukti Morcha (BMM) want it to include six districts from Madhya Pradesh as well.[3][4] Uma Bharati of Bharatiya Janata Party has promised separate state of Bundelkhand within three years if her party voted to power, during campaign for Loksabha Election, 2014 at Jhansi.[5] Similar promise was made by Congress leader Pradeep Jain Aditya during Loksabha Election, 2014.[6]

Since the early 1960s there has been a movement for establishing a Bundelkhand state or promoting development of the region. Bundelkhand is geographically the central part of India covering some part of Madhya Pradesh and some part of Uttar Pradesh. (At Sagar is the exact centre of the original undivided India: the granite bench mark by British surveyors indicating this is placed in the compound of a church in Sagar Cantonment.) In spite of being rich in minerals, the people of Bundelkhand are very poor and the region is underdeveloped and underrepresented in state and central politics. There are several local parties and organisations, some promoting further development of the region and some seeking statehood.[7][8] The agrarian crisis and farmers' suicides are also cited as reasons for separate statehood.[9]

In November 2011 Uttar Pradesh Council of Ministers proposed to split the state into four parts, with one part being Bundelkhand.[10]

Religion[edit]

Religion in Bundelkhand (2011)[11]

  Hindu (93.17%)
  Muslim (5.58%)
  Others (1.25%)

Prominent Bundelis[edit]

Statue of Dhyan Chand on Sipri Hill
Rani Durgavati maravi

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Jain, Ravindra K. (2002). Between History and Legend: Status and Power in Bundelkhand. Orient Blackswan. p. 1. ISBN 978-81-250-2194-0.
  2. ^ Mitra, Sisirkumar (1977). The Early Rulers of Khajurāho. Motilal Banarsidass. pp. 1–4. ISBN 9788120819979.
  3. ^ "Mayawati's proposal to divide Uttar Pradesh into four States goes far beyond disturbing the State's politics ahead of the elections". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 29 March 2015. Retrieved 4 July 2019.
  4. ^ "Mayawati-kind-of-Bundelkhand not acceptable: Bundela". Archived from the original on 29 March 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2015 – via Highbeam.
  5. ^ "Uma Bharti promises separate Bundelkhand to voters in Jhansi". The Indian Express. 10 April 2014. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
  6. ^ "LS polls: Pradeep Jain Aditya, Uma Bharti promise separate Bundelkhand state". News18.com. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
  7. ^ "Demand for separate Bundelkhand reignited ahead of assembly polls separate". Daily.bhaskar.com. 5 April 2013. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
  8. ^ Atiq Khan (10 December 2009). "Nod for Telangana fuels the demand for Bundelkhand". The Hindu. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
  9. ^ "Farmers' Suicides and Statehood Demand in Bundelkhand | Economic and Political Weekly". Epw.in. 9 July 2011. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
  10. ^ "Mayawati wants to divide UP into 4 states, other parties cornered; NDTV". ndtv.com. 16 November 2011. Retrieved 4 August 2015.
  11. ^ "Census of India". Archived from the original on 10 May 2006.
  12. ^ Narayan, Badri (7 November 2006). Women Heroes and Dalit Assertion in North India: Culture, Identity and Politics. SAGE Publications India. ISBN 9788132102809.
  13. ^ Sharma, Ashok Kumar (21 August 2017). Our President: Ram Nath Kovind. Diamond Pocket Books Pvt Ltd. ISBN 9789352783953.
  14. ^ "Bajirao Mastani and the history of Bundelkhand". The Times of India Blog. Retrieved 6 October 2017.
  15. ^ "University of Saugar alumniin celebration mode". The Hindu. 18 July 2011. Retrieved 4 August 2015.

External links[edit]

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