Nagpur - History

Nagpur, which appears as one single city is in fact a twin city strategically planned by different rulers in different periods. The present Nagpur was occupied by 12 small hamlets known by the name of "Rajpur Barsa" till 1686 AD. Bakht Bulland Shah formed Nagpur city after 1686 and named it so after lord Nag. Nag River (Nag Nallah) was actually a waste water stream and then Nagpur was located on its banks. Bakht Bulland shah’s oldest son Chand Sultan became the king in 1706 and made Nagpur his capital by shifting his court from Deogarh Fort.

The city’s misery began after the death of Raja Chand Sultan in 1739. Due to infighting, Raghuji Bhonsla, captured Wali Shah to reinstate Burhan Shah on the Kingdom of Deogarh. As gratitude the kingdom’s part comprising Gondwana, Pauni, Marwad and Balaghat were given to raghoji Sena Saheb. The Maratha chieftain came and lived in Nagpur and Deogarh. In 1742 AD Raghuji Bhonsla got established in place of Raj-Gond Maharajas and the Deogarh family was ousted without any bloodshed. Under the Bhonsla regime the condition of the city deteriorated further due to infighting. Finally the Bhonsalas lost power to the Britishers in the battle of sitabuldi on November 26-27, 1817.

Foundation stone of Vidhan Sabha laid was laid in 1912. In the year of 1923 Nagpur University was founded. Nagpur made capital of Madhya Pradesh in 1950. Nagpur passed on to Maharashtra state in 1956.