General Information of District Jhabua

Transcription

1 INDEX S No. Subject Page No. 1 General Information of the District 2 Short Introduction of Bhagoria 3 Programme for How to reach Jhabua 5 Where to Stay 6 Distance of other places from Jhabua 7 Photographs

2 General Information of District Jhabua Jhabua district situated in western part of Madhya Pradesh is spread in an are of 3041 square kms. This Adivasi dominated district situated in hilly area is full of natural resources. In the east of the district is the border district of Alirajpur, Dhar and Ratlam. The western border touches Gujrat and north west border touches Rajisthan. The area of the district comes under medium rainfall zone. In the western part is river Mod. River Anas flows in eastern part. The forest of Sagon, Kher, Mahua, Tadi and Bamboo are found here. Limestone, dolomite, calside etc minerals are found here. Meghnagar is a developing industrial area of the district. The district has an agriculture based economy. The main crops of the area are maize, jowar, bajra, cotton, wheat, urad, arhar, groundnut and gram. The Adivasi population of the district is 85% of the total population Bhil and Bhilala tribes are the main tribes. Bhagoria dance is a symbol of its peculiar culture. There are many places of archeological and religious importance worth seeing. Amongst these are Shiv Mandir Devjhiri five kilometers from Jhabua, Ram Mandir of Rangpura 2-3 kilometers from Jhabua, Hanuman Tekri in Jhabua, Hathipawa, Bhagor on Jhabua Petlawad rout. Shiv Mandir of Ranapur Hidimba forest Hanuman Mandir and other religious places are worth seeing. Important Fairs- Raipuriya (cattle fair), Khawasa (cattle fair), Thandla (Shambhu Mata Fair), Devjhiri (cattle fair, Shivratri fair). Festival- Bhagoria ( main festival), Gai Gouri.

3 Basic Information of district Geogrophical background- Jhabua district under Indore division is situated on the south western border of Madhya Pradesh. Geogrophical position is as follows Latitude 21.3degree to 23.5 degree and longitude 73.20degree to 75.01degree. Geographical area is 6782 sq.km. adivasi dominant this district is situated at a distance of 150km from Indore on Indore- Ahmedabad highway. On the north of district is Rajashtan and Ratlam dist. And on the west is Gujrat state on the east is Dhar dstrict and on in the south are the boundries of Alirajpur touching it. The total area of the district is sq.km. the district has 3 revenue, 5 tehsils and 6 janpanchayat. Under 376 grampanchayets of the district there are 817 villages. For the development of the district there is a Adivasi s project which has 6 development blocks. All the 6 development blocks of the district come under the category of tribal development block. All the development blocks have a scattered Adivasi population. According to common definition no village here is really a village. Each village here has groups of small huts made at some distance from one another in a group spread in an area of 3-5 km. these groups are called Phalya, 1 village has 2-10 Phalya. Thus the district has 7891 Phalya. According to 2001 census the population of Jhabua district (excluding Alirajpur district) is out of these are men and are women. The common residents of the district are common bhil, Bhilala and Patliya. The patliya are supposed to be more developed in comparison to Bhil. The tribals speak various types of languages. Ordinarily they are habitual of liquors. In religious, social and family function wine drinking is a part of their tradition. Tad trees are found in abundance in the

4 southern part of the district and January to May people use Tadi here in abundance. Natural- From natural point of view the district can be divided in two parts 1 Malwa Pathar 2 Hilly area of Vindhyachal. Petlawad comes under Malwa Pathar and the rest of the district comes under Hilly area of Vindhyachal. In most part of the district the land is uneven. Jhabua city is at a height of 428 meters from sea level. Village Mathuad of tehsil Alirajpur is at a height of 777 meters from sea level. In the northern area of the district is an important river Mahi and the climate of the district is moderate. Cultural Background Bhil, Bhilala and Patlia tribes live in this tribal dominated Jhabua district. Their population is 86 percent. The Adivasi of the area have their own culture. The Adivasis have their own cultural recognition inspite of fast changing cultural and social system of the state and the country. The living is simple. The number of the people wearing lion cloth is fast decreasing. People have started wearing dhoti or half pants. Even now people live in Phalia and fields making a small hut. The number of people living in Pakka house is very minimal. There is no joint family system here. On getting married the capable or self dependent start living making a separate hut. Although at the time of functions, festivals and marriages etc they appear united. There is a tradition of child marriages, these days it is slowly changing. Usually there are unmatched marriages. The age of the boy is less and the age of the girl is

5 more. Because of this un matching sometimes there are clashes in the married relationship. The bride leaving her husband starts living with someone else. In some cases the decision of panchayat of the tribe give them recognition. In the marriages the boy s side has to give the bridal cost. In case of the girl living with another husband the second husband has to pay some money according to decision of the panchayat to the first husband. Multi gamy is also found in the tribals here. In marriages the relatives help in the shape of Notra. On some loss in field also the village peoples or relatives help this is called Halma. Thus the tendency of cooperatives is found in their culture. Liquor drinking is necessary in marriages. Even at the time of sorrow/death the relatives offer liquors to the affected family. Drink is a part of there culture. At the time of social, religious functions collective drinking is done. Marriage function Bhagoria / Joy function Bhagoria - In ancient and middle age history behind the boundry of Malwa two small cities Bhagore and Jhabua are famous. Bhagore is much more ancient in comparison to Jhabua. In this area the tribes Bhil, Bhilala, Patliya and Barda ect live here. They have there peculiar ancestral culture, history and literary identity. They are not only famous in M.P., Rajisthan and Gujrat. They are popularly known in Maharashtra and even whole of Madhya Pradesh. They have a particular identity in whole of India. The famous scholars, historians have made interesting description of Bhils and there principal festivals Teejfestivals like Bhagoria, Gal and Gadh etc which is there cultural, literary, emotional heritage. Bhagoria festival is popular and famous amongst media as love occasion and has become popular amongst the people. There is no clear one opinion that this may be known as an occasion of married

6 relationship. Some people call it Festival of Joy. Although the Bhil have there individual tribal ancestral identity even then they could not leave any firm identity in the world of village literature and culture. For the daily newspapers this had been a source of energy and a source of pride for years for some reputed poets and writers for there writings. It is believed that Bhagor was the ancient city of the area. Only some remnants of it are found in Lok Geet and village literature. The ancient lake and ancient Pataleshwar Mahadev Mandir etc made by Kunvri Jahma Heni is still present. Ancient Bhagor is said to be the centre of ancient Bhil language, literature and culture. It is said that at this place was a big city here and it was given the name of Bhagor in remembrance of Bhrigu Rishi. This ancestral city was given the name of Bhagor and the Bhils who lived here were called Bhagoria Bhil who have their identity at world level. A proverb is still famous amongst Bhils in which is said Indore and Ratlam city were formed on the breaking of Bhagor. The simple meaning is that how ancient and large the city would have been at that time. And how old would have been its culture. Who were the people who made this city? And who were those who have left the bare marks of ancient Hindu development and why the downfall came of this well built city? The historians are not able to answer these questions. The Bhils who live here are called Bhagoria Bhils and the language of this place is called Bhagoria Bhili. One Lok Katha is also famous amongst the Bhils here about the enormous wealth Bheroo of Bhagor city, Kalaroon KI Baodi, Mandla Khal ka Mevda and between Kesriyakhal so much gold and silver is buried that twelve bulls could not lift it. There are many Bhili Lok Katha of this type popular in Bhili literature. Before the festival of Holi the last village Bazar (Haat) which are popular here and are held immediately after the Rabi harvest and in which

7 maximum sale and purchase is done in this Haat is called (Bhagoria Haat) or Galalia Haat. According to 2001 census of Jhabua (excluding Alirajpur) population is out of which 85% are Adivasi. In six development blocks of five tehsils some 30 small and big Bhagoria Haat are celebrated with lot of importance. There are some 4500 cultures in India which have their own cultural base. And who have there own peculiar and separate identity. Indian culture can even be seen clearly today. The clear example love / joy festival Bhagoria can be seen clearly representing this for example village life, village song, village dance, Bhil humour, body decoration, romance, simplicity, beauty, Bhils festivals, collectiveness, art, labour, Humour and love. These cultural effects are connected with there past life and is symbol of cultural base even today they are the main attraction of Bhagoria. Mainly today Bhagoria is a part of cultural heritage of ancient Bhagor state (part of the cultural heritage of the Adivasi Bhil of Jhabua) and Palwad (Thandla-Kakanvani) and Petlawad (Malwa). This way Jhabua, Thandla, Kalidevi, Para etc are some special Bhagoria Haat regions. Most famous and attractive Bhagoria is that of Valpur and Bakhatgarh of Sondwa development block of neighboring district Alirajpur which previously was a part of Jhabua. From the point of view of Adivasi some part of Meghnagar and Thandla tehsil are called Palwad. Thus Palwad, Bhagor and Rath joined together to form Jhabua district which became the cultural centre of bhils Bhagoria which is a symbol of love and joy of Bhil culture. Popularly among media and other people this is called Bhagoria. Because of the motive and honour and the elaborateness with which it is celebrated even the love festivals of America and Europe appear dull in its comparison because

8 it is full of sanctity and cultural values. Therefore this is a peculiar and pious festival of the world. The day on which festival of Bhagoria take place the whole of the district Jhabua becomes full of joy and romance. There is a special excitement in villages Phalias and homes. A special psychological hike like an electric current spreads in the whole region specially among the young people. They become full of excitement. The music of drum beats of the villages can be heard up to long distances. The music of various types of musical instruments of village spreads far and wide in hills, forest and fields and continue for long. At many places on road side young boys and girls dance and sing and stop vehicles and lovingly collect money. They can be seen making signals of kissing, bidi etc at many places. Then from Phalias and house the groups of Bhil, Bhilala and Rathia etc proceed towards Bhagoria Haat. Dressed in yellow, red, black and green costumes they move singing and dancing this scene appear beautiful and attractive. Adivasi girls make deep makeup on the lips and face, wearing various types of ornaments and the boys with bows and arrows happily run towards Bhagoria these gives a happy and beautiful look. From distant places shopkeepers bring various types of shops, swings, sweets, clothes and various types of ornaments of gold and silver and plastic ornaments and makeup materials, toys, utensils and eatables are mainly brought. Children and Adivasi girls have a special liking for these things. The lovers and beloved and all Bhil lovers can be seen moving around the swing and shops. In the empty places of Haat Bazars there is a flood of young Bhil girls and boy lovers. At this occasion many pairs plan their marriages and many run away on getting a chance. And this sudden running

9 away is simply a Adivasi tradition which in today s context we can call love marriage. Running away is a necessary part of Bhil marriage. The colourful dresses, turbans and traditional ornaments in Adivasi boys look lovely. Inspite of being covered with illiteracy and poverty Bhagoria gives an energy to overcome the day to day problem. Problem of future we will see afterwards today we are full of joy in our own pleasures. Whatever has been earned is to spend. This concept has its full shadow. In this romantic mood the lovers run away with there beloved. So in the conventional language this is called the Haat of running away with the beloved. Some people call it Gulaliya Haat that is the Haat on which Gulal is thrown. Bhagoria Haat is celebrated at many places in the district but it is more popular in the southern part of the district. The Bhagoria of Valpur, Umrali, Bakhatgarh and Chaktala area is famous. The joy, pleasure and happy mood here is worth seeing. With joy and pleasure, shouting and singing, away from worries with the beat of drums forgetting the worries of tomorrow they are full of joy and by evening with various means of transport bus, jeep, two wheelers and some on foot start reaching their homes. The whole days joy and tiredness make their hearts heavy and they start thinking that when this dear festival will come again. And by dusk and in the darkness of night in the villages and hills the music of drumbeats and other music slowly stop for one year. Note- this is a compilation of various concepts and thoughts of various scholars regarding Bhagoria festival.

10 Bhagoria Programme Bhagoria is celebrated on the first Bazar day before Holi. This function starts one week before Holi for example Holi was on on Friday thus Bhagoria started from Saturday and the last Bhagoria was celebrated on Friday

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12 S. No Name of the Block Saturday Sunday Weekly Bhagoria Haat Bazars of Jhabua District Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Sunday Jhabua - Jhabua - Pitol Kalyanpur a, Dhekal - Bhagor 10 2 Rama Khardu Umarkot Para Kalidevi 05 Machhliya 3 Ranapur Ranapur - Kundanpur Andharwad Rajla Samoi Meghnagar Meghnagar - Rambhapur - Madrani - Mandli 04 5 Thandla - Kakanwani - Thandla - Harinagar Petlawad Bamniya Jhaknawada Raypuriya Petlawad Mohankot Tarkhedi Barbet Karwad Bodayata Sarangi Bekalda 11 Number of Villages

13 Route for reaching Jhabua Jhabua is situated in western part of MP. This touches the border of two states Gujrat and Rajisthan. Jhabua is situated on Indore Ahmedabad road on national highway number59. The distance between Indore and Jhabua is 150 kilometers. By road route we can also reach from Indore to Jhabua via Ujjain. We can reach Jhabua from Baroda of Gujrat via Dohad the distance is 170 Kilometers. The airways facility is not available here. To reach Jhabua by air Indore(MP) and Baroda(Gujrat) are the nearest airports. Jhabua is 250 kilometers from Ahemdabad. The broad-gauge railway station Meghnagar of western railway is in Jhabua district. Meghnagar is situated on Delhi Bombay track between Baroda and Ratlam. For rail journey Meghnagar is the nearest railway station. The distance between Meghnagar and Jhabua is 18 kilometers. At present there is no taxi facility here.

14 Where to Stay In this Adivasi dominated district the staying facilities are very limited. On the district headquarter there is a government circuit house, one government rest house and there is a holiday resort of tourism development corporation. There is a guest house of Gas Authority of India Limited. Besides this there are threefour hotels of average category which include M2. At other places of the district also there are very limited staying facilities. There are government rest houses in the following places- 1. In district Jhabua 1 Tourist Motel MP State Tourism Development Coorporation Jhabua (Holiday Resort) Indore Road Near Anas river Jhabua Awailable AC Room -7 Non AC room-3 Food veg and nonveg available One conference hall- for 30 persons Webside for online room booking Telephone numbers M2 Lodge and Hotel, Behind Bus stand Jhabua Available AC room-6 non AC room-10

15 Telephone Numbers Shantiniketan Lodge and Hotel, Power house road Jhabua Available AC room-3 non AC room-20 Telephone Numbers , Rest House college road Jhabua Available room-03 Telephone Numbers Petlawad 3. Thandla 4. Meghnagar (there is also a mining corporation rest house here) Distance The distance of tehsil places from district headquarter are as follows- 1 Petlawad 60 km 2 Thandla 35km 3 Meghnagar 16km 4 Raqnapur 20km

16 On all the places going in the morning one can return in the evening. Very Important Telephone Numbers Collector district Jhabua Police Suprintendent district Jhabua Chief executive Officer Zila Panchayat Jhabua Sub divisional Officer Revenue Jhabua Executive Engineer Public Work Department Jhabua Police Control Room 100 / Jhabua STD code Railway Station Meghnagar

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