Mandla is the district HQ on the way from Jabalpur to Kanha, and is 95 km to the S-East of Jabalpur and 74 km from Kanha. Mandla is the old capital of Gond Kings.

Mandla is at a distance of 230 KM and 800 KM from Bilaspur and Ranchi respectively. Mahamaya Temple at Ratanpur (25 KM away) and a Shiva temple was built by kings of Kalchuri dynasty. The ruined fort still exists.

History:

Mandla was called as Mahishmati Nagari before 1500 A.D. Queen Rani Durgawati ruled Mandla province and fought against British and Moguls. The Gond-Rajput dynasty of Garha-Mandla commenced, according to an inscription in the palace of Ramnagar, in the fifth century.

Being defeated by the Mughals force in 1564, the queen of Gonds, Padmabati took shelter here. The fort was built in the 17^th century. 3 rivers – Banjar, Saraswati and Narmada flow on the 3 sides of the fort. The 4^th side is surrounded by a ditch. The fort went under the control of Marathas and finally to the British in 1818. There are many temples on the bank of Narmada near Mandla. ‘Om’ shaped confluence is a sacred place to the Hindus. Advancing 17 km at Ramnagar there is another 3 storied fort built by Gond King Hirde Shah in the 17^th century. Mandla National Park is 40 km away from here and bison, sambar, panther, tiger, different species of deer are found in the park.

Last Updated on Tuesday, 19 January 2010 21:34