Editing Narsinghpur (section)

==History==

=== Prehistory ===
[[File:Rock Painting Depicting Hunting Close-up.jpg|alt=Rock painting at Vinaiki|thumb|Rock Paintings Depicting Hunting of Animals]]
[[File:Man of a strange shaped head with a sword .jpg|alt=Triangular headed man with a sword|thumb|Human with sword. This hints that the paintings are from the Iron Age]]
The earliest signs of human life in Narsinghpur were found recently in the caves of Vinaiki village 
(Narsinghpur) which lies on the banks of Shakkar river (tributary of Narmada), in the hinterlands of Kareli Forest Zone (a part of Satpura reserve) in Narsinghpur. Most of the villagers are Gonds and they knew about the paintings for a long time. Locals call the rock paintings found in their village by the name 'Putra Putariya' (पुतरा पुतरिया).The actual age of the rock paintings is not yet determined. Analysis by the Department of Archaeology is awaited.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Ancient rock paintings discovered in Vinaiki village of Kareli forest zone in Narsinghpur district|work=WorldNews360|url=https://world360news.com/en/ancient-rock-paintings-discovered-vinaiki-village-kareli-forest-zone-narsinghpur-district|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200721160243/https://world360news.com/en/ancient-rock-paintings-discovered-vinaiki-village-kareli-forest-zone-narsinghpur-district|url-status=usurped|archive-date=21 July 2020}}</ref>

The axe, bow and arrows, and swords can be seen in the pictures. The rock paintings depict humans riding and playing with horses and elephants. Humans are also seen hunting animals like deers. Sheep, Wild boar, Buffaloes, and Barahsingha can also be seen.<ref>{{Cite news|date=3 February 2020|title=दुर्गम व घने जंगल की कंदराओं में मिले अनूठे शैल चित्र|work=Dainik Bhaskar|url=https://epaper.bhaskarhindi.com/c/48602206}}</ref> One of the rock paintings is of humans with armed axes and a peculiar headgear. Some of the paintings are of a clear red color similar to those found in [[Bhimbetika]], while some are gray. Pictures have also been described in some script which is yet to be identified. It is within the radius of 150 kilometers from the Bhimbetka rockshelters of Raisen and about 100&nbsp;km away from [[Adamgarh Hills|Adamgadh hills]].

===The Satavahana period===
This area was a part of the [[Satavahana Dynasty|Satavahana Empire]] from the 2nd to the 4th centuries CE, after which, it was annexed into the [[Gupta Empire]] during the reign of the Emperor [[Samudragupta]]. There is some historical evidence for Padi rule. There is no record of this area until the 9th century CE, when the Kalachuri kingdom was established. The Kalchuri capital was near the Narmada river, later established at Tripuri.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|title=Narsinghpur|url=http://narsinghpur.nic.in/history.html|access-date=2016-10-04|website=narsinghpur.nic.in}}</ref>

=== Gond Vansh===
After the establishment of Raj Gond Vansh, an era of peace and prosperity began in the area. This Vansh came to existence by Yadav Rao, who laid the foundation of a strong kingdom at a place called Garha–Katanga and started a process of strong mighty rule. One of the rulers, [[Sangram Shah]] (1500–1541) had established 52 Garh, of the [[Gond Dynasty]]. The fort of [[Chauragarh]] (Chougan) at Narsinghpur was constructed by Sangram Shah, which is still an evidence of bravery of Veer Narayan. He was son of Queen Rani Durgawati.<ref name=":2" />

Among the followers of Sangram Shah, Dalpati Shah ruled for a period of 7 years peacefully. After, this Queen Durgawati took the reign and gave a proof of courage or bravery, and ruled for a period of 16 years (1540—1564). In 1564, the Queen died, while fighting bravely, giving a tough fight to Asaf Khan, the Sepoy Salar of King Akbar. In Narsinghpur district, at the castle fort of [[Chauragarh]], Asaf Khan trapped prince Veer Narayan and killed him with his cunning tactics. Thus Garha Katanga came under control of Mugals in 1564, Gonds Mugals. After then the area was under control of various officers and administrative or hereditary chiefs during the Maratha's rule. The boundaries of the area continued to change according to the powers and influence of their people. Chawarpatha, Barha, Saikheda, [[Gadarwara]], Shahpur, Singhpur, Shrinagar, and Tendukheda were headquarters of various [[pargana]]s

In 18 century the ruler of Narsinghpur Thakur ji was killed by British rulers and the fort of narsinghpur was totally destroyed. There are a number of sites of interest to archaeologists in the area, as the area has been inhabited since the second century AD, according to historical documents from that time. Narsinghpur has a number of sacred sites, including a nearby cave associated with Adi Guru Shankracharya's place of meditations and studies. The Gonds also called Parakarti Pujak

===Bhonsle Rulers===
In 1785, Madhavji Bhonsle purchased the area of Mandla and Narmada Ghati in 27 [[lakh]]s. The area was under pressure of army rule during the reign of [[Raghuji Bhonsle]], Nawab of Bhopal and Pindari. Due to unsuitability of the ruler and other problems, the common people were extremely exploited. This period was also known as a period of problems and instability. However, after the defeat of [[Bhosle]]s in [[Battle of Sitabuldi]] in 1817, British rule came into existence in the area.<ref name=":2" />

===British period===
After the Battle of Sitabuldi, this area came under the control of British rule in 1817, which was confirmed by an alliance in 1826. In this period the area was known as Gadarwara pargana, with Chichli and Gangai. The Gond Jagirs were under Marathas, where as Sindhiya had given Barha and Paloha Jagirs to Pindari Sardars, Chitu and Karim Khan. In 1818, the British army captured the fort of Chauragarh, and in 1830 the control of this area was given to a committee. During British rule, the administration of this district improved, and in 1836 the area was partitioned and was merged in Hoshangabad district. But after Bundela revolt in 1843, this part was once again reinstated in this district.<ref name=":2" />

===Struggle for independence===
Despite strong British rule, the desire for independence was prevalent among the common people. In 1825, Chawarpatha and Tendukheda were given to the British Government. In 1857 the police station of Chawarpatha and Tendukheda were captured by revolutionaries under the leadership of Gond Chief Delan Shah of Madanpur. With this, the struggle for independence was started. But in 1858, Delan Shah was caught and hanged to death. Thus in the year British curbed the struggle for independence, and they succeeded in establishing their rule. After 1899, Shayam Bihari Nagaria had a big hand in Independence Of Narsinghpur. Unfortunately, he died in December 2007.<ref name=":2" />

===Congress movement===
After the establishment of Indian National Congress in 1885, even in this district, the feeling for Independence was prevalent. Strong efforts were made by the people here, being motivated by the efforts and leadership of [[Lokmanya Tilak]], [[Subhas Chandra Bose]], [[Mahatma Gandhi]], and [[Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru]]. Among the leaders of his district were Gayadutt, Manik Lal Kochar, Choudhary Shankar Lal and Nitiraj Singh(were imprisoned in Sewani jail),Rudrapratap Singh(martyred by British) Gopal Das Kathal, Thakur Niranjan Singh ,( Mushran family donated to British War fund)who led the people of this district towards the Independence movements. In order to break the unity and enthusiasm of the people, the British had once again partitioned the district and merged it with [[Hoshangabad district]]. However, even then, enthusiasm as well as the fight for independence continued in the people's minds. During the mass demonstration of [[satyagrah]] at Chichli in 1932, Mansharam and Gauradevi lost their lives during police firing. One more incident transpired with one stouthearted liberation fighter, Ramkumar Badal, from village Bamhani, who was customarily involved in multiple protests was caught and charged under different sections after licit efforts, he went out and made a minuscule group of people in a town denominated Barman to protest against enforcement made by Britishers, which influenced multiple people near the town, and then the protest gained more reach and accolade, which made it more vigorous enough to win an aside, and so the executive officer appointed in that block was coerced to transmute the rules. This was a great triumph that influenced and incentivized people far away to fight for freedom.

Thousands of revolutionaries faced the atrocities of British rule and gave an example of strong devotion for the country, and snipe against the British rule. When the country gained Independence in 1947, on 15 August, a new era started in this district. After 9 years of independence, when states were reorganized on the basis of languages, Narsinghpur, once again, became a district. Since 1 November 1956, Narsinghpur district has been moving towards progress and prosperity in its full existence.<ref name=":2" />