ORANGES !! One of well known specialties of Nagpur is the world famous Nagpur orange, the cultivation of which in Vidarbha region of Maharashtra has brought indispensable
glory to the region. The orange is cultivated in 80000 hectares area in Vidarbha with a total production of nearly 5 lakh tons. Nagpur orange in Nagpur district is
cultivated in 20, 965 hectares area. There is an interesting story how the cultivation of Nagpur orange in this region started. The cultivation of Nagpur orange was
tested for the first time as a kitchen garden plant during 1896 by Late Shri. Raghujiraje Bhonsle and observed as a successful venture. Since then, its cultivation
attained momentum year after year and by now, it is claimed to be one of the most remunerative potential foreign exchange earning crops of not only this region but
also as one of the horticultural crops after mango and banana at national level.
A lot of work is being done at Nagpur in the field of Citrus Research at the National Research Centre for Citrus situated at Nagpur. History The present city was founded in the early 18th century by Bhakt Buland, a Gond prince of the kingdom of Deogad in the Chhindwara district. Seeing the advantage
of civilized life in Delhi, he started to build Nagpur as his new capital. His successor Chand Sultan continued the work. On Chand Sultan's death in 1739, disputes
regarding succession arose and Raghuji Bhonsle, the Maratha governor of Berar, helped to restore the elder son to the throne. As the dissentions continued,
Raghuji Bhonsle again intervened in 1743, and the control of Nagpur slowly passed on from the Gonds to the Marathas. It became the capital of the Bhonsles.
With the Bhonsle dynasty came the vast class of cultivators in Vidarbha. Raghuji's successors lost some territories to the Peshwas of Pune and the Nizam of
Hyderabad. In 1803, Bhonsles (along with their allies Scindias [Shinde] of Gwalior) at Assaye and Argaon (Argaum). In 1811 Pindaris attacked Nagpur. Bhonsles
again lost to the British in 1817 and Nagpur came under British influence. In 1853 Raghuji III died without an heir to his kingdom. As a result, the city lapsed into
British control under Lord Dalhousie's Doctrine of Lapse. { This policy was one of the reasons which led to the Indian War of Independence [Sepoys' Mutiny : as
referred to by the British] in 1857}
In 1861, Nagpur became the capital of the Central Provinces. The advent of the Great Indian Peninsula Railway (GIP) in 1867 spurred its development as a trade
centre. After Indian independence, Nagpur became the capital of Madhya Bharat state (C.P. and Berar). In 1960, the marathi majority Vidarbha region was merged
with the new state of Maharashtra and Nagpur was designated the second capital of Maharashtra state, alternating with Mumbai (Bombay) as the seat of the
Maharashtra state legislature. Battle of Sitabuldi When you pass in front of Nagpur Railway Station via Kasturchand Park, you will notice a high ground which is known as Sitabuldi Fort. have you ever thought that
just about 180 years back i.e. on Nov. 26,27, 1817, a fierce battle known as battle of Sitabuldi was fought on this high ground between the Bhosla forces and the
British. This battle was also a turning point for the relation between British and Bhosalas and also was prelude to the downfall of Bhosla empire.
The East India company came to India for trade, but when they found the prevailing situation in India, they took advantage and started gathering power. They had
their main bases at Calcutta, Madras and Bombay.
During 19th century Matathas could not see that East India company gaining supremacy. The Britishers were also preparing to suppress Marathas i.e. Peshawas at
Pune, Scindhias at Gwalior, the Holkars at Indore and the Bhosalas at Nagpur, during the second Anglo Maratha war the British succeeded and annexed some
territories of Marathas. At that time RaghuJi II was the ruler of Nagpur, who rejected the terms of defence treaty with British. This annoyed the British. RaghuJi II
died in 1816 and his son Parsogi succeeded, But could not survive for long. His cousin Appasaheb was chosen to be the ruler. He was liked by the British as he
accepted the defence treaty with them. He also gave subsidies and sent military contingents against Pindaries. as per their desire. But gradually AppaJi Bhosale
consolidated his position by October 1817 and showed indifference towards British. He also joined hands with Peshwas of Pune who were fighting against British.
The Peshwas appointed AppaJi as Senapati of Maratha Armies. AppaJi celebrated this appointment with great pomp and show by firing gun salutes, on Nov 24,
1817.
This act was of great annoyance to the British. They had their residency at the present old Morris College with Mr. Jenkins as the resident. The British troops were
on training in area of Telenkhedi. The Bhosala forces were within the walled city of Nagpur which was beyond Shukrawar Darwaja and Buty Darwaja. At that time
Sitabuldi fort was only a hillock consisting of two knolls and nothing more.
The tension was mounting between Appasaheb Bhosale and the British and both started war preparations. Appasaheb Bhosale displayed his show of strength
around residency thus creating alarm in the minds of people.
Lt. Col. Hopton Scot who was in command, ordered his troops to occupy defences on the twin knolls of Sitabuldi overlooking the residency. He also sent messages
to Gen. Doveton to come immediately with his force.
The forces of British and the Bhosalas were as follows:
Bhosalas: 12,000 horse cavalry, 8000 infantry of whom ,3500 were Arabs held in Very high esteem and 36 field guns.
British: 1800 troops all told, with four, 6 pounder guns which included 2 battalions of Madras Native infantry, 2 companies of native infantry, 3 troops of sixth
Bengal native horse cavalry.
On the night of Nov 25, 1817, both sides got busy in preparing for the battle. British troops took defences on the Sitabuldi hill. Lt. Col. Scott himself had his
command post on the bigger hill with 20 Madras Native Infantry and residency body guard troops. From this position he could have good command and control of
the smaller hill as well as area around the hill.
Capt. Sadler with 24th Native Infantry and two guns took position on the smaller hill. Capt. Fitzgerald was kept as reserve with 3 troop of Bengal native horse
cavalry in the area of residency. He was only to move on orders from Lt. Col. Scott,
Maratha troops were deployed all around residency. Arab troops and some Maratha troops under Manbhatt Upadya took Position on the eastern side of smaller hill
in area of Meena Bazar with some guns. Maratha horse cavalry was in the area of present Dhantoli, Maharaj Bag and along Nag river.
On Nov 26, 1817 Arab troops of Appasaheb Bhosala opened fire on the smaller hill which was returned by British guns Capt. Sadler was killed by the fire and
Capt. Charles Worth took the command .
The exchange of fire was going on and Capt. Charles got wounded and Capt. McDonald took charge. As there was no cover on the smaller hill the British suffered
heavy casualties. Capt. McDonald ordered his troops make wall of grain bags and took position behind this wall.
On the 27th morning Maratha troops and Arabs started moving towards the smaller hill and under the leadership of Manbhatt Upadhya they captured and occupied
the smaller hill and hoisted saffron flag of Maratha.
In this battle Lt. Clark and Dr. Mavint of British were killed. This created a lot of commotion amongst the British . Arabs were preparing to launch an attack on the
bigger hill, although the British troops were holding the bigger hill with determination.
At this juncture, the Capt. Fitzgerald saw that the whole British forces would be soon destroyed unless some drastic step could be taken.
He launched his four troops of Bengal native cavalry direct at the Maratha principal mass of cavalry scattered them like whirlwind and captured their guns.
Capt. Fitzgerald was not to move without orders, but his devoted and generous disobedience gave Col. Scott the opportunity to summon his infantry to a supreme
effort as animated by the glorious example the British troops moral was boosted and they charged with the bayonets from the bigger hill and cleared the smaller hill.
At this time there was a great explosion at the smaller hill in which Arabs suffered heavy casualties. This also caused great con- fusion in Maratha troops and they
withdrew and Marathas lost the battle.
In this battle Arab troops under Manbhatt fought very bravely but the lack of concerted action and Appasaheb Bhosale's vacillation were mainly responsible for the
defeat of the disorganised army.
Unfortunately in this war Appasaheb Bhosale proved to be a coward and in the defeat acted most disgracefully. The British would have lost the battle but for the
brave and gallant attack of Capt. Fitzgerald.
After this battle of Sitabuldi which was the turning point in the history of Bhosalas within a month Nagpur was captured and on the 30th of Dec. 1817 the union jack
was hoisted on the Bhosala palace.
In this battle of Sitabuldi, British casualties were - 14 officers and 333 troops killed and many wounded. On the Maratha side equal number of casualties were
suffered.
WEATHER today in NAGPUR 
Newspapers in Nagpur 
|| Ganesh Temple at tekdi || 
In Nagpur there are number of oldest and ancient temples, Shri Ganesh Tekdi Temple is one of them. This temple is
most popular and famous in Nagpur. Looking it's popularity, the number of devotees are increasing day by day. The
atmosphere is very pleasing and pure beside the temple.
It's name is given as Tekdi Ganapati because it is constructed on a hill and in Marathi Language a hill is called as a Tekdi. It is believed to be approximately 250 years old.
When first built, there was a ordinary tin shade and a small platform. It started improving after 1970s, after the Military defense took its possession and in 1965 Late honorable then defense Minister Shri Yashwantrao Chavan arranged the possession of the temple and adjoining land to temple trust. In 1978 the big project of the construction of Ganesh temple started in full swing. All the devotees generously contributed heavy amounts for the construction and the resultant temple got present shape in 1984.
The main role was played by Late Shri Ganpatrao Joshi and other devotees who were taking active part in this
construction. But it was found that the allotted land was comparatively small in respect of huge crowd of devotees.
Again the trustees of the temple appealed to ministry of defense to approve sanction for some more expansion of the
premises and in 1995 fruitful result came and 20,000 more Sq. feet land was added to previous premises. Now the
new project intended is the beautification of the surroundings of this temple like lawns, water fountain and free parking zone etc.
It is said that this idol is self existent. Originally this idol was very small in shape, but gradually it grew bigger and increased as per present situation. The idol is having golden decoration at forehead. Other silver ornaments are also available. In all these ornaments particularly Mukut (a diadem) is specially exhibited on Chaturthi and Ekadashi only. It is said by devotees that this temple is a Jagruta(awake) devasthan, so it is crowded by devotees from early morning upto midnight. This temple is such a place where the whole mankind or devotees come together in one place and gather together with a goal of religions performance with purity, equality and with a pure mind.
Around 5000 devotees come to the temple daily for worship. Specially on Chaturthi the number of devotees is raised
upto 10,000. It is said that monthly Alms-giving from devotees of this temple is about 3 to 4 Lakh. In this temple a waving of a lamp(Arti) is done three times daily. It is done in early morning at 6:30 am, in afternoon at 12:30 pm and in evening at 6:30 pm. As a divine gift, a Modaka is distributed after these Artis. This is a specialty of this temple.
Other useful websites about NAGPUR www.nagpur.net wwww.nagpurcity.com www.nagpuronline.com www.nagpurkhoj.com www.nagpurorangepages.findhere.com www.vidharba.net www.zeromile.com |
