History of Burhanpur
Medieval History:-In 1536 A.D., the Mughal Emperor Humayun, after his conquest of Gujarat, had visited Burhanpur and Asirgarh via Baroda, Broach (Bharuch) & Surat. Raja Ali Khan (1576-1596 A.D.), also known as Adil Shah, was asked to submit to Akbar, when the latter had sent an expedition to Khandesh, in the summer of 1577 A.D. The former, to avoid the unequal contest with the mighty Akbar, dropped his royal title of Shah and accepted the Suzerainty of Akbar.This marked an epoch in the Deccan policy of the Mughals, for Khandesh was used as a base for the future Conquest of Deccan. Raja Ali Khan constructed many buildings like Jama Masjid in the upper portion of the fort of Asir in 1588 A.D., Jama Masjid at Burhanpur in 1590 A.D., Idgah at Asir, mausoleums & Serai at Burhanpur and Serai & Mosque at Zainabad.
Bahadur Khan (1596-1600 A.D.) successor of Raja Ali Khan declared his independence & refused to pay homage to Akbar & his son Prince Daniyal, which enraged Akbar, who marched towards Burhanpur in 1599 and occupied the City without any opposition on 8th April 1600 A.D. Akbar paid a visit to Asirgarh, so as to inspect it personally, where he stayed for 4 days before returning to his Head Quarter at Burhanpur.
ShahJahan’s Operation:-Prince Khurram was nominated as the Governor of the Deccan in 1617 AD, by Jahangir to succeed Prince Parviz, and was bestowed the title of Shah by Jahangir. Khurram led the Mughal army to a peaceful victory by which Jahangir was pleased with his success & conferred him the title of Shah Jahan on 12th October, 1617 AD. After the death of Jahangir in 1627, Shah Jahan ascended the throne of Mughal empire. Due to troubled conditions in the Deccan, he reached Burhanpur (Deccan) on the 1st March 1630, where he stayed for the following two years, conducting operations against Bijapur, Ahmadnagar, and Golkunda. On 7th June 1631, Shah Jahan lost his beloved & favourite wife Mumtaz Mahall at Burhanpur, and her body was buried at first in the Garden of Zainabad, across the river Tapti. Early in December of the same year (1631 AD), the remains of her body were sent to Agra. Later on 6th March 1632, Shah Jahan left Burhanpur for the north, after appointing Mahabat Khan as the viceroy of the Deccan.
Modern History:-From the mid 16th Century to the early 18th century, the Nimar region (including Burhanpur, East Nimar,West Nimar Barwani District), was under the rule/impact of Aurangzeb, Bahadur Shah (Mughals), Peshwas, Sindhia, Holkar & Pawar (Marathas ), Pindaris etc. Later from early part of the mid 18th century, the management of the Nimar region came under the British.
The Burhanpur district did not remain unaffected by the Great Uprising of 1857, which swept the country, against the British rule. In connection with the so called Riots of 1857, Tatya Tope had gone through the region of Nimar and before marching out of the region, burnt the police stations and Govt. buildings at Khandwa, Piplod and a number of other places and escaped again to central India by way of Khargone.
The Burhanpur district was greatly affected with the beginning of freedom movement, Non-Co-operation movement, Civil Disobedience movement, Quit India Movement etc., to obtain the Independence of the Motherland India, from late 18th century till 15th August 1947. During this time Near by District Khandwa was visited by Swami Dayanad Saraswati of Arya Samaj fame, Swami Vivekanand,the great monk & founder of Ramkrishna Mission, Mahatma Gandhiji in 1921, Lokmanya Tilak etc.
Young Nationalists of the Nimar Region, like Haridas Chatterjee, Makhanlal Chaturvedi, Thakur Laxman Singh, Abdul Quadir Siddique has attended the Calcutta Session of Congress in 1917. Tilak has visited Khandwa during his whirl-wind tour to central province in 1918. The district did not fail to make its contribution in non-co-operative movement. Civil Disobedience Movement of 1930 has also been participated by many people of the district. Editor of swarajya S.M.Agarkar was also arrested and imprisoned. Nav Jawan Sabha was established at Khandwa in 1931. Students had also participated in this movement.
Quick fact’s about Burhanpur
- Total Area – 3427 Sq.KM.
- Tatal popular – 7,56,993 (As per Census -2011)
- Official Language: Hindi, Marathi, Gujrathi, Urdu
- Burhanpur population density – 1,200/km2 (3,000/sq mi)
- Pincode – 450331
- Vehicle registration – MP-68
12 best tourist places to visit in Burhanpur
1. Shahi KIla, Burhanpur
The Shahi Qila was a majestic palace in Burhanpur, located to the east of the Tapti River.
History of the Shahi Qila states that it was originally built by the Farooqui rulers and resided by Shah Jahan, at a time when he was the governor of Burhanpur. Shah Jahan became so fond of the fort that it was here, in Shahi Qila that he establishes his court for the first three years of his ascending the throne.Shah Jahan spent a considerable time in this city, and helped add to the Shahi Qila. Diwan-i-Aam and Diwan-i-Khas were built on the terrace of the Qila.
The main attraction at the palace is the hamam or the royal bath. It was specifically built for Shah Jahan’s wife, Begum Mumtaz Mahal, so that she could enjoy a luxurious bath in water scented with khus, saffron and rose petals. Hammam Khana was constructed during Mughal Period.
One of the amazing facts is that the Taj Mahal was originally supposed to have been built at Burhanpur. The site chosen for it still lies vacant near the tapti river. Mumtaz, in whose memory the Taj Mahal was built, died in burhanpur while giving birth to her fourteenth child
2. ASIRGARH FORT, BURHANPUR
It is a historical & strategically important fort about 14 miles far from Burhanpur, there is a historic, invincible fort at the top of a mound of satpura hills. This fort was considered very important in order to regulate southern part of India, as some historian addressed it with the name “the key of deccan” some author said that after conquering this fort, ways to seizing southern area or ‘Khandesh’ become more easier. It is about 259.1 meter high from its base and 701 meter high from sea level. There is a mosque, lord Shiva temple and one palace inside this fort to see. It is actually developed in 3 parts and each part have its own name. First part is called “Asirgarh”, second part is “Kamargarh” and thrid part is called “Malaygarh”.
3. AHUKHANA BURHANPUR
This park is in front of Royal fort, at the next side of Tapti River. This was to be the Hunting area of Shahjahan Daniyal. Its courtyard is consists with one tank, a palace, which were built by Shahjahan. There is a big water container at the east side out to this courtyard. This park was planted in Iranian style, also known as Alam-aara, and Baag-e-Jainabad. Shahjahan’s beloved wife Mumtaj-mahal, buried down here for six months after her death. Once prince Aurangjeb was stayed here to his aunt, while heading south for a battle, during his stay he fell in love with Heerabai (Jainabadi begum) in this park (bag).
4. WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM KUNDI BHANDARA, BURHANPUR :-
Mughal engineers gifted exemplary water supply system to Burhanpur town which is still actively used in town. They made 8 water-supply system which provides sufficient water inflow for town in past. They are counted among some highly appreciated engineering works done during Mughal dynasty in India. Most of the work done during rule of Mughal emperors Shahjahan & Aurangzeb. Their are number of underground water flow channels in Satpura hills that avails water to Tapti river. Mughal engineers controlled those water channels at 3 points to develop water-reservoirs which are known by the names “Mool Bhandara”, “Sukha Bhandara” and “Chintaharan Bhandara”. They are located in north of Burhanpur town and are at a height of approx. 100 feet from town land.
5. GURUDWARA BURHANPUR:-
Burhanpur gurudwara is counted among important pilgrimage place for followers for Sikh religion followers. Founder of Sikh religion, Guru Nanakdev ji and their last guru (teacher)Guru Govind Singh Ji have visited this gurudwara. Most of the gurudwara are located on bank of Tapti river. Here you can see the Guru Granth Sahib (religious book) & weapons of Guru Govind Singh Ji. This Guruswara is about 400 years old.
6. MAHAL GULARA BURHANPUR:-
Seven miles far from the town, Gulara Palace is famous for its natural beauty. Here is a water fall which makes this place beautiful at moon light; pond has two palaces both side. There is also a mausoleum of Hazrat Nizamuddin at a high place of Utaavli River, who was a religious mentor of Adil-khan.
7. DARGAH-E-HAQIMI, BURHANPUR :-
About 2 km away from Burhanpur, one village is Lodhipura. Famous pilgrimage site Dargah-E- Hakimi is situated here as a center of faith for the Dawoodi bohra sect of the world. Here religious teachers Syedna Abdul Kadar Hakimuddin Sahib, Abdul Tayeb Zakiuddin Sahab and Syedi Sheikh Jeevji Sahib are the wages. The skill with which the mazar has been created by carving the marble, it is unique in itself
8. ICHHADEVI TEMPLE, BURHANPUR:-
Village Icchapur settled at Madhya Pradesh-Maharashtra border pact near approximately 23 km from Burhanpur.The name of the village has been done in the name of Karan Deshwadevi (Goddess who fulfills his wish). It is believed that a Maratha subedar had completed this temple on a hill, 450 years ago, after completing his dream of attaining the son.
9. KABIR TEMPLE BURHANPUR:-
It was founded in 1829 by Saint Shri PuranSaheb. He was born in 1805 AD. He was a devout connoisseur saint. Kabir Judgment Temple situated in Nagziri Mohalla on the banks of Tapti is situated in a huge building. This temple is famous as a college that introduces Kabir Darshan. Here, a function is organized every year on the dates of
10. JAMA MASJID, BURHANPUR:-
The Jama Masjid, a posh building with its 36 * 1/2 meter long tower at the heart of the city, is a fine specimen of stone stone craftsmanship. It was made in 1588-89 AD by the ruler of the Pharaohus, King Ali Khan. building of the mosque meets two inscriptions in it. The first inscription is in Arabic language, in which it is mentioned that the construction of the mosque has been done by the order of the Faruq Adil Shah Faruqui, who obtained the highest achievement, the second inscription which is Urdu and Sanskrit, and the construction of the mosque. Also gives information about the genealogy of the Pharaohic rulers.
11. SHAH NAWAJ KHAN TOMB, BURHANPUR:-
This mausoleum made of black stones, about 2 km away from the city on the banks of the Uthawali river, is a magnificent beautiful building of the Mughal period. The construction of this tomb is square, with verandas built around it. The four-corners of the tomb have been made of Borgio and umbrellas in the tomb.
12. ROKDIYA HANUMAN MANDIR, BURHANPUR :-
This temple is located next to the tomb of Shah Nawaz Khan across Utahali river. Here is conducting full fair annually on Paush month.
FAMOUS DESSERT IN BURHANPUR
Daraba
The origin of the name Daraba has several theories. Some say that it was served in the Mughal court of Burhanpur and from ‘darbar’, the name ‘daraba’ was derived.
Mawa Jalebi
Burhanpur is one place which really prides itself for this sweet.
Made the same way as jalebis, the batter here is made with mawa or khoya, mixed with bit of arrowroot (starch extracted from root stock) and deep fried in piping hot oil. The result is a dark brown thick jalebi that is shaped like a regular jalebi but tastes more like a gulab jamun. Divine!
How to Reach
By Air
To reach Burhanpur by Flight, nearest airport is in Indore city, located at a distance of 210kms. Indore airport has good flight connectivity with other major airports of India like Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Raipur, Nagpur etc.
By Rail
It falls on Mumbai-Delhi & Mumbai-Allahabad, central rail route. There are many super-fast, express trains for this destination. Burhanpur has direct train connectivity with important tourist destinations and cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Agra, Varanasi, Gwalior, Katni, Jabalpur, Pipariya, Jhansi, Bhopal.
By Road
Being close to Maharashtra state border,there is very good road accessibility for Bhusawal, Jalgaon, Aurangabad etc. Road condition is very well from Indore too, many road transporter ply their buses from Indore to Burhanpur. Distance between Burhanpur and Bhopal Via Indore is 367 km and Via Munda is 326 km.
Where to stay
Utsav Hotel & Resorts
Address: Bahadurpura Road, Mohammadpura, Madhya Pradesh 450331 Pincode: 450331
Phone:07325-257888 Email:utsavhotel945@gmail.com
Hotel Panchavati
Address: Near Bus stand, Amravati road, Rastipura Colony, Burhanpur, Madhya Pradesh 450331 Pincode: 450331
Phone:07325-258855 Email:hotel[dot]panchvati01[at]gmail[dot]com
MPT Tapti Retreat, Burhanpur
Tapti retreat MPTDC is the place for both business and leisure travellers. Class and comfort make for a great combination, which is exactly what this hotel has to offer.
Address: Icchapur Road, Burhanpur, Madhya Pradesh-450331 Pincode: 450331
Phone:07325-242244 Email:tapti[at]mpstdc[dot]com
