Khargone is a city and the administrative headquarters of Khargone district in the state of Madhya Pradesh, India. Situated in the Nimar region of western Madhya Pradesh, it lies on the banks of the Kunda river, a tributary of the Narmada. The city is known historically as Khargaon and serves as a commercial centre for the surrounding agricultural belt, particularly noted for its cotton and chilli trade.
| Country | India |
|---|---|
| State | Madhya Pradesh |
| Region | Nimar (Nimad) |
| District | Khargone |
| Headquarters of | Khargone district |
| River | Kunda |
| Official language | Hindi |
| Local language | Nimadi |
Khargone is located in the Nimar plains, between the Vindhya range to the north and the Satpura range to the south. The Kunda river flows through the city and joins the Narmada further north. The surrounding region has fertile black cotton soil (regur), which supports extensive cultivation of cotton, soybean, wheat, and chilli. Summers are hot and dry, while the monsoon season brings moderate rainfall through the south-west monsoon system.
Khargone has historical associations with the Holkar dynasty of the Maratha Confederacy, under whose rule the Nimar region came in the 18th century. After the dissolution of the princely states following Indian independence in 1947, the territory was integrated, and following the reorganisation of states, the area became part of the newly formed state of Madhya Pradesh in 1956. The district was earlier known as West Nimar (Nimar Pashchim) before being reorganised; in 1998, the older West Nimar district was divided into the present-day Khargone and Barwani districts.
Khargone serves as the headquarters of Khargone district, which falls under the Indore division of Madhya Pradesh. Civic administration within the city is handled by the Khargone Municipal Council (Nagar Palika). The district is further divided into tehsils and development blocks for revenue and rural administration purposes. The city is part of the Khargone Lok Sabha constituency, which is reserved for Scheduled Tribes.
The economy of Khargone is largely agrarian and trade-based. The region is one of the leading producers of cotton in Madhya Pradesh, and the city hosts cotton ginning and pressing units. Khargone is also widely recognised for its red chilli market, with chillies grown in the surrounding Nimar belt being traded in bulk. Other significant crops include soybean, maize, wheat, and pulses. Small-scale industries, retail trade, and agricultural marketing yards (mandis) form important components of the local economy.
The local culture reflects the broader Nimadi tradition, with Nimadi being widely spoken alongside Hindi. Folk music, dance forms such as Gangaur and Gher, and festivals associated with the Narmada river are integral to the cultural fabric. Major Hindu festivals including Navratri, Diwali, and Holi are celebrated, and the Nimar region observes the Narmada Jayanti as a significant occasion. Maheshwar, with its historic ghats and the palace of Ahilyabai Holkar, lies within the broader Nimar cultural sphere and is accessible from Khargone.
Khargone has government and private schools affiliated to the Madhya Pradesh Board of Secondary Education and the Central Board of Secondary Education. Higher education is provided through government and private colleges affiliated to Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya, Indore.