Bhandara district

In the seventh century, the district was included in the territories of the Haihaya yadav kings of Chhattisgarh, whose kingdom was known as Maha Kosala. The name of the district is derived from 'Bhannara', the name by which it is mentioned in a stone inscription at Ratanpur, which confirms that the name dates back to at least the 11th century. Formerly a part of the territories of the Haihaya Rajput kings of Chhattisgarh, Bhandara was taken over by the Panwar rajput in the 12th century, followed by the Gond chiefs.

By the 17th century, the district was made a part of Berar by Peshwas, who had invaded the region during the period. In 1699, the region came under the control of Parasoji Bhonsle along with the territories of Vidarbha and Berar. Raghoji Bhonsle of Vidarbha became the leader in 1743, and was succeeded by his son Janoji after his death in 1755. The feudal dynasty of Lanji governed the region from 1818 to 1830, and formed the Bhandara district in 1821.

Peshwas were ousted by Nizams during the 1850s, who ceded Berar to the British East India Company in 1903. With the re-organisation of states in 1956, Bhandara was transferred to Bombay Province from the state of Madhya Pradesh. After the formation of Maharashtra in 1960, Bhandara evolved as a district of the state. The erstwhile Bhandara district was bifurcated on 1 May 1999, and a new district, Gondia, was formed. Thus, Gondia and Bhandara came into existence.

This medieval period fort is situated in Tumsar, about 13 km away from Tumsar. It was constructed by Raja Khan Pathan, the subhedar of Bakht Buland Shah , the ruler of Devgadh around 1700 AD. Later it came under the possession of Raghoji I Bhonsle of Nagpur, who used it as a prison for captives. Later it was taken over by the British.

Bhandara is one of the major administrative districts in Maharashtra, and is located in the Nagpur division at 21°10'N 79°39'E. The district is enveloped by Balaghat district of Madhya Pradesh in the north and Chandrapur in the south, smallest border with Gadchiroli in the southeast while Gondia and Nagpur mark its eastern and western borders respectively. Covering an area of 3716 km², the district of Bhandara is segregated into three sub-divisions, Bhandara, Tumsar and Sakoli, that are further divided into seven talukas. Bhandara sub-division is divided into two talukas: Bhandara and Pauni. Tumsar division have Tumsar and Mohadi. Sakoli sub-division is divided into three talukas: Sakoli, Lakhani, and Lakhandur.

According to the 2011 census Bhandara district has a population of 1,200,334,[3] roughly equal to the nation of Timor-Leste[4] or the US state of Rhode Island.[5] This gives it a ranking of 397th in India (out of a total of 640).[3] The district has a population density of 294 inhabitants per square kilometre (760/sq mi).[3] Its population growth rate over the decade 2001–2011 was 5.65%.[3] Bhandara has a sex ratio of 982 females for every 1000 males,[3] and a literacy rate of 83.76%. 19.48% of the population lived in urban areas. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes make up 16.69% and 7.41% of the population respectively.[3]

There are three Vidhan Sabha constituencies in this district: Tumsar, Bhandara (SC) and Sakoli. All of these are part of the Bhandara-Gondiya Lok Sabha constituency.[9]

Bhandara has a mixed economy including agriculture, manufacturing and forest resources. With several ancient temples and historical monuments, along with lakes, parks and sanctuaries, Bhandara attracts many tourists.

In 2006 the Ministry of Panchayati Raj named Bhandara one of the country's 250 most backward districts (out of a total of 640).[10] It is one of the twelve districts in Maharashtra currently receiving funds from the Backward Regions Grant Fund Programme (BRGF).[10]

• Bhandara Taluka

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Bhandara district.

Wikisource has the text of the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica article "Bhandara".

• Bhandara district website
• Ambagad fort