Banswara

Banswara Banswara
city
Population  (2001)
• Total	85,638
Website	http://banswara.nic.in/

Banswara is a city in Banswara District in south Rajasthan in India. Banswara princely state was founded by Maharawal Jagmal Singh. It is named for the "bans" or bamboo forests in the area. It is also known as 'City of Hundred Islands', due to presence of numerous islands in the Mahi River, which flows through Banswara. Banswara is one of the most beautiful city in rajasthan. The city is totally surrounded by the beautiful range of mountains and there are some ancient temples which are situated on the peaks of those mountains for instance the Madareshvar Temple is one of the most famous temple in the city.

Geography

Banswara is located at 23.55°N 74.45°E / 23.55; 74.45. It has an average elevation of 302 metres (990 ft). District Banswara is situated in the southern - most part of Rajasthan. It has an area of 5037 square kilometre and lies between 23.11° N to 23.56° N latitudes and 73.58° E to 74.49° E. longitudes.It is bounded on the north by Dhariawad tehsil of Udaipur district and Pratapgarh district; on the east by Ratlam district of Madhya Pradesh; on the west by Sagwara and Aspur tehsils of Dungarpur district; and on the south by Jhabua district of Madhya Pradesh. It also touches the boundary of Panchmahal district of Gujrat on the south-west.The region represents a rugged terrain undulated by short ridges west of Banswara. The eastern part of it is occupied by flat-topped hills of the Deccan trap. It has the southern end of the Aravali mountains.The drainage system belongs to the Mahi river which originates from Amjera hills near Dhar in M.P. Its main tributaries are Anas, Chanp, Erav, Haran and Kagdi. The Mahi Bajaj Sagar dam has been constructed on the Mahi, some 16 k.m. away from Banswara town. Right and Left Main Canals and their distributaries irrigate 60,149 hect. of land. Normal annual rainfall is about 82.59 cms.Maize, Wheat, Cotton, Gram are main crops. Graphite, Soapstone, Dolomite, Rock Phosphate, Limestone and a variety of marbles are found. Gold mineral is also found around Jagpura. Forest land consists of 20% of the told area but most of the forest land is devoid of trees. Hills have become bald-headed.

History

Princely flag of Banswara

Banswara (literally "the forest country"), was a Rajput feudatory state in Rajputana during British India. It borders on Gujarat and is bounded on the north by the native states of Dungarpur and Udaipur or Mewar; on the north-east and east by Partabgarh; on the south by the dominions of Holkar and the state of Jabua; and on the west by the state of Rewa Kantha.

Banswara state is about 45 miles (72 km) in length from N. to S., and 33 miles (53 km) in breadth from E. to W., and has an area of 1946 m². The population in 1901 was 165,350. The Banswara district forms eastern part of the region known as Vagad or Vagwar. The district was formerly a princely state ruled by the Maharavals. It is said that a Bhil ruler Bansia ruled over it and Banswara was named after his name. Bansia was defeated and killed by Jagmal Singh who became the first Maharaval of the princely state.It is also named so because of the bamboos (Bans) which were found in abundance in the forests. In 1913 some bhils revolted under the headship of a social reformer Govindgiri and Punja which was suppressed in November, 1913. Hundreds of Bhils were shot dead at the Mangarh hillock where they were holding a peaceful meeting. The event is also known as the Mini Jalianwala Bagh massacre. The place has become sacred and is better known as the Mangarh Dham.With the merger of the princely states in the Union of India, the Banswara State and Kushalgarh chiefship got merged in the Greater Rajasthan in 1949 and Banswara was carved out as a separate district by merging these principalities. http://banswara.nic.in/e_history.htm

Demographics

As of 2001 India census, Banswara had a population of 85,638. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Banswara has an average literacy rate of 74%, higher than the national average of 59.5%, with 56% of the males and 44% of females literate. 13% of the population is under 6 years of age. The density of population according to 2001 census is 298 per square kilometer. The drainage system belongs to the Mahi river which originates from Amjera hills near Dhar in M.P. Its main tributaries are Anas, Chanp, Erav, Haran and Kagdi. The Mahi Bajaj Sagar dam has been constructed on the Mahi, some 16 k.m. away from Banswara town. Right and Left Main Canals and their distributaries irrigate 60,149 hect. of land. Normal annual rainfall is about 82.59 cms. The region represents a rugged terrain undulated by short ridges west of Banswara. The eastern part of it is occupied by flat-topped hills of the Deccan trap. It has the southern end of the Aravali mountains.

Banswara, it is likely, derived its name from bans or bamboo shoots, which once grew in abundance around the places. It was a part of the territory known as Vaagad during the reign of Udai Singh (who succeeded to the throne sometime between 1496 and 1498 AD) and is said to have been founded by Jagmal, the younger son of Udai Singh who, being much devoted to his queen, the mother of Jagmal and wanting to see him installed as a ruler of a separate State, had partitioned the country between his sons. The town remained the capital of this State of the same name for about four centuries thereafter. The crumbling stone wall enclosing the old town is still visible, overlooked by the palace of the former rulers of the principality. Bai Tal - an artificial tank - believed to have been constructed by Lachhi Bai of Idar, the Rani of Maharawal Jagmal, lies on the eastern side of the town. About a kilometre away, are the chhatris or cenotaphs of the royalty. The town has some Jain and Hindu temples and old mosques.

Area

5,037 km² (1.47 per cent of the State) This city also known as city of Hundred Island.

Location

The Banswara district lies in the southern most part of Rajasthan. It is surrounded by Udaipur and Chittaurgarh in the North, Dungarpur in the west, Ratlam and Jhabua districts of Madhya Pradesh in the east and south and Dahod district, Gujarat to the south.

Distance from major cities

The closest major city to Banswara is Udaipur which is 157 kms away. Indore and Ahmedabad are also close, at 215km and 285 km away respectively. The town is 827 km from New Delhi and 816 km from Mumbai.

People

The district is predominantly inhabited by tribals mainly Bhils, Bhil Meenas, Damor, Charpotas, Ninamas, etc. The district population is 14,20,601 (2001). The rural population is 13,13,238 (2001) and the urban population is 1,07,363 (2001). The main occupation of the people, specially of tribals, is agriculture. The tribals live in a small one-room houses, known as "tapra", which lie scattered all over the area.The other major castes are Patels, Rajputs, Brahmans, Mahajans, and Muslims. The dialect spoken in the district is Wagri, a mixture of Gujrati and Mewari. Literacy percentage is 44.63 (2001) but women literacy, though doubled as per 2001 census, is only 28.43%. Increase in total literacy percentage has been by 18.22 because of the intensive literacy campaign in the district.Rajasthan is home to many tribes who have very interesting history of origin, customs and social practices. So much so that even today they are fart distinct from the 'civilized' society around them. While a few tribes are medieval in their origin, mainly due to events in history, there are a few who date their origin back to one of the oldest prehistoric civilizations in world viz. the Indus valley civilization.The history of these tribes dates back to around 1400 BC. At that time the Bhil and Mina tribes roamed and ruled the land. The Aryan invasion, represented by horse drawn chariots and superior bows and arrows, seems to have tyrannized tribal migration to the south and the east. Pushed into the natural hideout forests and the ancient and craggy Aravalli ranges, the Bhil and the Mina tribes survived more easily. The northern, nomadic ethnic intrusions continued into Rajasthan. They were respected by the Sakas, Kusanas, Abhiras, Hunas and others. Quite a large number of these invaders are now covered by the blanket term Rajput whose royal lineage stood upon the ruins of the Gurjara (Pratihara Empire). All too naturally, the warrior- invaders fitted the Aryan material caste of Kshatriyas which in time came to be divided into 36 Rajputs clans. The camouflaged existence of Rajasthan's original inhabitants certainly isolated them from the main stream, keeping them unaware of the changes. Today, they may be considered a backward people but that does not, in anyway, call for any pejorative interpretations of their primitivism.http://banswara.nic.in/e_tribal.htm

culture

Situated amongst the valleys of the Aravalis, Banswara represents tribal culture in its original form. Its area was covered mostly by bamboo trees (Bans) in the past because of which it was called Banswara. Banswara town was founded by king Jagmal Singh. Religiously, having eleven and a half Swayambhoo Shivlings, it was also called 'Lodhikashi' or little Kashi. Yet another name for it is 'An area of Hundred Islands'.Being in the southern part of Rajasthan, its boundary meets with Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. A compact culture is the result of this inter-regional neighborhood. The so called vagdi Culture is nothing but a mixture of Gujarati, Malwi, Rajasthani and Mewari cultures. Banswara district is rich in forests, hills and wildlife. Tribals are the natives of this region. The place is known for its ancient temples and natural beauty.http://banswara.nic.in/e_culture.htm

Climate and rainfall

The district has a climate which is very much milder than that in the desert regions in further north and north-west.

• Maximum temperature is 45 degrees Celsius to 46 degrees Celsius.
• Minimum temperature is 10 degrees Celsius to 20 degrees Celsius
• Normal annual rainfall is 922.4 mm

• Population: 15,00,420
• Density of population: 298/km²
• Literacy: 48.22 %
• Total working population: 32.46 %
• Percentage distribution of work force

• Cultivators: 75.58 %
• Agricultural labourers: 9.36 %
• Household industry, manufacturing
• Processing servicing and repairs: 1.25 %
• Other workers: 13.80 %

Government and politics

Presently in 2010 MLA of this region is Arjun Bamaniya.

Economy

Industrial Scenario Number of Large and Medium Scale Units: 8, Number of Small Scale Units: 5312, Main Existing Industries Agro-based (oil mills), Blended yarn, Dress material, Marble slabs and tiles, Portland cement, Shirting and suiting, Synthetic yarn and texturised gray cloth yarn.

Utility services

The total transformer capacity in the district is 63.1 MV·A. Of the 1,431 villages 1,219 villages were electrified up to 31 March 2000. The Mahi river flows on the borders of Peepalkhoot and Ghatol and Banswara Panchayat Samitis. The Mahi project has the capacity to irrigate an area of 800 square kilometres.

Transport

Road

Road transport is the only mode of goods and passengers movement from and to the district. The district head quarter has direct road connection with Ratlam, Dungarpur, Dohad and Jaipur. Total road length in the district is 1,747 km, as of 31 March 2000.

Rail

Rail transport facility is not available in the district. However, the nearest railway station is at Ratlam (85 km) which is on meter gauge and broad gauge.

The Railway Ministry has approved railway line to be established to connect the Dungarpur and Ratlam station. The total distance between Ratlam to Dungarpur is around 195 km, Banswara is situated in the centre of these two stations.

Air Network

The nearest airport is at Udaipur (192 km), where there is a helipad, and runways for charter planes to Talwara around 13 kilometers from Banswara city. There is no airport at Banswara itself, but nearby at Udaipur (160 KM), Indore (MP) (212 KM) & Ahmedabad (Guj) (285 KM) are airports.

Fairs & Festivals

Bhill community managed to get the entertainment on particular festival occasions only. Bhills traditionally follow Kharo, Moto and Bhalo Dharms.

Holi : Holi is the main festival for the tribals. Tribes wear their traditional dresses carrying swords & sticks and performs the "Gair dance" which is a typical tribal dance of this region.

Divasa (Haryali Amavasya) : Divasa is a festival and it is being celebrated on the last day of first fortnight of Shravanmas. On that day special bath will perform to Bullocks and Animals, and prays them as they are God's different posture. Special food items will prepare on that day and enjoys with full of joy.

Aamligyaras : It is celebrated on the 11th day of the bright half of Phalgun and unmarried boys and girls observe fast on this day. They go to a pond in the afternoon, wash themselves and bring small branches of tamarind trees. The Bhils attend the fair armed with bows, arrows and swords. This festival is held at Ghodi Ranchod, Bhim Kund, Sangmeshwar, etc.

Baneshwar Fair The biggest tribal fair is held at Baneshwar at the confluence of Mahi, Som and Jhakham, which are believed to be holy rivers of the region. A number of tribals from Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Rajasthan gather to immerse the mortal remains of the dead. They worship, sing and dance on Magh Purnima falls sometime in the month of February, which is considered to be a holy period in this region. It starts in Magh Shukla Gyaras and Magh Krishna Panchami (peak period of this fair is Magh Purnima).

Ghotia Amba Fair This is a colorful and traditional fair held every year from Chaitra Thrayodashi to Chaitra Shukla Duje. The Bhils gather to take a holy dip in the tank near the temple with idols of Pandavas. They demonstrate their faith in the holy mango trees and Kaila Pani.

Mangarh This is an important fair of the tribals and is held on Margshirsha Purnima. At this fair the tribals o Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh & Gujarat participate and they pay tribute to Guru Govindgiri, founder of the Samp sabha.

Communication facilities

• Number of Post offices 276
• Number of Telegraph offices 58
• Number of Telephone exchanges 34
• Number of Public call offices 815

Temples

Andeshwar Parshwanath Teerth, Nandni Mata Mandir Barodiyan Nandnimata, Shree Tripura Sundari Temple Umrai (Talwara), Shree Bhrahmaji's Temple. There are many Jain Temples - Navgarh Adinath Jinalaya Temple in Suryanand Nagar, Sumtinath Digambar Jain Mandir in Bahubali Colony.

Medical and Public Health Service

Number of Hospitals 5 , Number of Dispensaries 3 , Number of Primary Health Centres 42, Number of Community Health Centre 13 , Number of T.B. Hospitals 1 , Number of Sub-health Centres 307.

Education

Schools and higher educational institutions in Banswara are administered either by the Directorate of Education, the government, or private organizations. In 2008–09, there were 1,995 primary and middle schools, 283 secondary and senior secondary schools in the city. The higher education institutions in the city included 4 colleges and 2 ITI.

Private schools in the city—which employ either English or Hindi as the language of instruction—are affiliated to one of two administering bodies: the Rajasthan Board of Secondary Education Rajasthan (RBSE) and the Central Board for Secondary Education (CBSE).

Media

The focus on political reportage, including regular television broadcasts of Indian parliament sessions. Many country-wide media agencies, among them the state-owned Press Trust of India and Doordarshan, are based in the city. Television programming in the city includes two free terrestrial television channels offered by Doordarshan, and several Hindi, English and regional-languages cable channels offered by multi system operators. Satellite television, in contrast, is yet to gain large-scale subscribership in the city.

Print journalism remains a popular news medium in the City. During the year 2005–06, newspapers—in Hindi languages—were published from the city. Of these, Hindi language newspapers, and included Dainik Bhaskar, Rajasthan Patrika. Other major English newspapers include Indian Express, Business Standard, Times of India, The Hindu.

Sports

As in the rest of India, cricket is the most popular sport in the city. There are several cricket grounds (or maidans) located across the city, including the Kushalbagh ground and collage ground, one of the oldest cricket grounds also has the status as venue for cricket matches. Many archers of the city also made it to the top level. Other sports such as field hockey, football (soccer), basketball, tennis, golf, badminton, swimming, kart racing, weightlifting and table tennis are also popular in the city.

References

• Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. {{cite encyclopedia}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)