Damoh

Geography

Damoh is located at 23.88°N 79.45°E / 23.88; 79.45. It has an average elevation of 595 metres (1952 feet).

Demographics

As of 2001 India census, Damoh had a population of 112,160. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Damoh has an average literacy rate of 73%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 89% and, female literacy is 66%. In Damoh, 14% of the population is under 6 years of age. The leader of damoh is prashant

vishwakarma

Economy

The town has a significant cattle-market and a number of small industries such as weaving, dyeing and pottery-making. The district of Damoh has an area of 7,306 km². Except on the south and east, where the offshoots from the surrounding hills and patches of jungle break up the countryside, the district consists of open plains of varying degrees of fertility, interspersed with low ranges and isolated heights with the richest tracts in the centre.

History of Damoh town and region

This place has long history dating back to ancient times excavated. Stone Age tools found in Singrampur Valley are testimony to the fact that this place was the cradle of human civilization and habitat since millions of years. In more recent times, around the 5th century, it was part of mighty grand empire of Guptas of Pataliputra, It was established by the plaques and coins along with various monuments found in the region belonging to the reign of Samudragupta, Chandragupta, and Skandgupta. From the 8th to 12th centuries some parts of the Damoh district were parts of Chedi Empire ruled by Kalchuri dynasty from capital Tripuri.

The magnificent temple at Nohta is a living example of the glory of Kalchuries in the 10th century. Historical evidences also proves that some regions of the district were under the Chandels of the Jejak -Bhukti. The 14th century heralded the era of Muslim rule in the region and stone carving at Salaiya and Batiyagarh mention Khilzi and Tuglaq as Sultans. Later on, the Sultan of Malwa annexed the region into his fold. In the last quarter of the 15th century, Sangram Shah of Gond dynasty annexed the region into its dynamic and mighty empire consisting of 52 forts.

It was the era of peace and prosperity for the region. In Singrampur, Rani Durgawati attained martyrdom battling against the might of Mughal Empire represented by its General Asaf Khan along with his army. Her zeal to retain integrity and sovereignty of a kingdom is unparallel in world history. Bundelas entered into the region for a brief span after which Marathas took over the reigns in 1732 and remains The ruler uptill Britishers annexed Marathas kingdom after the death of Peshwa in 1888.

British Period:

In the struggle for freedom from Brithishers, Damoh kept pace with national devotions and under the able leaderships of Thakur Kishore Singh of Hindoria, Raja Devi Singh of Singrampur, Pancham Singh of Karijog, Gangadhar Rao, Raghunath Rao, Mejban singh, Govind Rao, and some others fought against the British rule in its rebellion in 1857. According to legends Damoh got its name from the name of the Queen of Narvar Rani Damyanti, wife of Raja Nal.

From Mauryas to Guptas

Rajput period

Muslim and Gond rule

Bundela and Maratha rule

Company rule and Ghadar

British Raj

In 1861, Damoh was constituted as part of Central Provinces under the British Empire in India and was demarcated as a separate district. By the year 1867, Damoh was constituted as a municipality with a population of about 2,62,600. The town was situated on the railway lines completed between Jabalpur and Allahabad also in 1867.

In the period 1896-1897 and again in 1900, Damoh suffered severely from famine. By 1899 the India Midland Railway had completed the construction of Sagar-Damoh link and Damoh-Katni link. The famous Hindi writer and distinguished freedom fighter Seth Govind Das jailed in Damoh in 1923, while in jail he pens famous Hindi plays such as s ‘Prakash’, ‘Kartavya’, ‘Navras’ and ‘Spardha’.

In 1929, Acharya Shantisagar visited Damoh after returning from Kundalpur. He then left for Orsa and Bansa. That was the first visit by a Digambar Muni to Damoh after several centuries.

In 1933, Mahatma Gandhi visited Damoh. On 18 July 1946 Sagar University was established as the regions primary centre for higher education.

In 1947, with India's independence from British Raj, the Central Provinces were reorganized as the state of Madhya Pradesh. The quaint town of Damoh had its first degree college established in 1961 by Shiksha Prasar Samiti, a volunteer organization.

Damoh's population was recorded as 8,98,125 in the 1991 Census of India. The figure was had reached 10,81,009 by the 2001.

Schools in Damoh

Colleges

Professional and vocational education

Railways

Damoh Railway Station (Station Code:DMO) is the only railway station in the city serves a few trains for Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur, Amratsar and Howrah, situated between Katni and Bina Junction.

Road

Damoh is well Connected by road to Bhopal, Jabalpur and Chhatarpur. Damoh to bangaon, patouha, and Hatta.

Attractions

1. Giri Darshan.
2. Bandakpur Shiv Mandir.
3. Puratatva Sangrahalaya.
4. Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary.
5. Rajnagar Fort.
6. Kundalpur (35 km)