Overview
Khargone district is an administrative district in the Nimar region of the state of Madhya Pradesh, India. The town of Khargone serves as its administrative headquarters. The district lies in the south-western part of the state, in the basin of the Narmada and Tapti rivers, and forms part of the Indore Division. It was earlier known as West Nimar district, distinguishing it from the neighbouring East Nimar (Khandwa) district.
Key facts
| Country | India |
|---|---|
| State | Madhya Pradesh |
| Division | Indore |
| Region | Nimar (Nimad) |
| Headquarters | Khargone |
| Former name | West Nimar |
| Major river | Narmada |
Geography
The district is bounded by Dhar and Indore districts to the north, Khandwa (East Nimar) to the east, the state of Maharashtra to the south, and Barwani district to the west. The Narmada flows along the northern part of the district, while the southern part is drained by tributaries of the Tapti. The Vindhya and Satpura ranges flank the district to the north and south respectively, with the Nimar plain lying between them. The terrain ranges from fertile alluvial land near the rivers to hilly, forested tracts in the south inhabited largely by tribal communities.
Administration
Khargone district is divided into several tehsils, including Khargone, Bhikangaon, Barwaha, Maheshwar, Kasrawad, Segaon, Bhagwanpura, Jhirnya, Gogawan and Mandleshwar. Significant towns include Khargone, Maheshwar, Mandleshwar, Barwaha, Sanawad and Kasrawad. The district sends representatives to the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly from multiple constituencies and is part of the Khargone Lok Sabha constituency, which is reserved for Scheduled Tribes.
History
The Nimar region has a long recorded history, having been part of successive empires including the Mauryas, Satavahanas, Guptas, Chalukyas, Paramaras, the Delhi Sultanate, the Faruqi rulers of Khandesh, the Mughals, the Marathas (especially the Holkars of Indore), and finally British India. Maheshwar, on the bank of the Narmada, served as the capital of Ahilyabai Holkar of the Holkar dynasty in the late 18th century, and remains noted for its riverside ghats, fort and the handwoven Maheshwari sari tradition.
After Indian independence, the area formed part of the Madhya Bharat state and was reorganised as West Nimar district within Madhya Pradesh on the formation of the state in 1956. In 1998, West Nimar district was bifurcated, and Barwani district was carved out from its western portion; the remaining part was renamed Khargone district.
Demographics and society
The population of Khargone district is predominantly rural, with agriculture as the principal occupation. Scheduled Tribes, particularly the Bhil and Barela communities, form a substantial proportion of the population, especially in the southern and western tehsils. Hindi is the official language, while Nimadi, a regional dialect, is widely spoken in everyday use.
Economy
The district's economy is dominated by agriculture. Cotton is the most prominent commercial crop, and Khargone is historically known as a major cotton-growing and cotton-trading centre of the Nimar region. Other significant crops include soybean, wheat, jowar, maize, gram, chillies and sugarcane. Cotton ginning, pressing and oil milling are the principal agro-based industries. Handloom weaving at Maheshwar, producing the celebrated Maheshwari textiles, is an important traditional craft.
Culture and places of interest
- Maheshwar – temple town and former Holkar capital on the Narmada, with the Ahilya Fort, ghats and riverine temples.
- Mandleshwar – an ancient pilgrimage site on the Narmada, associated with the philosopher Adi Shankaracharya