History of Narsinghgarh

Narsinghgarh, a nearly 300-year-old town, was founded in 1681 by Dewan Parasram. After the partition, Rawat Paras Ramji named the state after his revered deity, Bhagwan Shri Narsingh—an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. He established the town of Narsinghgarh as his new capital and constructed a grand temple dedicated to Shri Narsingh Bhagwan. Alongside, he built the scenic Paras Ram Sagar, a beautiful lake that mirrors the old fort and palace, which still proudly bear the founder’s legacy.

The site where the town stands was once home to a temple of Lord Shiva, then known as Topila Mahadev, named after the local craftsmen who made toplas (baskets).

Narsinghgarh transforms into a truly picturesque paradise during the autumn months. From the top of Baijnath Mahadev Temple, one can enjoy breathtaking views—lakes filled with crystal-clear water, hills draped in rich vegetation, cascading streams, and golden fields swaying under the rustling breeze. The radiant evening sun and the vivid blue sky complete this mesmerizing panorama.

नरसिंहगढ़ का गौरवशाली इतिहास

नरसिंहगढ़ का गौरवशाली इतिहास

नरसिंहगढ़ का पौराणिक इतिहास:
नरसिंहगढ़ नगर की स्थापना 1681 में हुई थी और यह नरसिंहगढ़ रियासत की राजधानी रहा है। प्रारंभ में इस क्षेत्र पर मालवा के परमार शासकों का अधिकार था, जिन्होंने यहाँ एक भव्य किले का निर्माण कराया। यह नगर एक सुंदर झील के किनारे बसा है, जिसके पीछे पहाड़ी की चोटी पर स्थित किला और महल इसकी शोभा बढ़ाते हैं। मराठा शासनकाल में नरसिंहगढ़ इसी नाम के परगने का मुख्यालय हुआ करता था।

कृषि और उद्योग:
नरसिंहगढ़ एक महत्वपूर्ण कृषि विपणन केंद्र है। यहाँ की अर्थव्यवस्था मुख्य रूप से कृषि पर आधारित है। क्षेत्र के किसान गेहूं, चना, मक्का, सोयाबीन, मसूर, प्याज, आलू और लहसुन जैसी प्रमुख फसलें उगाते हैं।

History of Maharaj Kunwar Chain Singh ji 

“Amar  Shaheed of Malwa”

Prince Chain Singh Ji: The First and Youngest Ruler to Fight Against the East India Company in 1824

Prince Chain Singh Ji was the first and youngest ruler in India to rise against the East India Company, leading a battle in 1824 at his military station, known as the Chhavani, in Sehore. He was married to Kuwrani Rajawati Ji from Muvaliya, a royal Thikana (estate) of the Narsinghgarh State. His ancestors belonged to the distinguished Rajawat royal family of Jaipur, and his mother hailed from the prestigious Maharana family of Udaipur, Mewar.

Due to the ill health of his father, Rawat Sobhag Singh Ji, Prince Chain Singh Ji took charge of the administration of Narsinghgarh. He was known for his courage, wisdom, and strong sense of self-respect. His rule was marked by firm governance and fair justice for all, earning him deep admiration and respect from the people of Narsinghgarh State.

Historical records indicate that Prince Chain Singh Ji firmly refused to acknowledge the supremacy of the East India Company, which agitated the Company officials. They awaited an opportunity to undermine his authority. In a calculated move, a palace official named Vora was assassinated while returning from the palace. The Company held Prince Chain Singh Ji responsible for the murder and ordered him to leave the state and relocate to Banaras. The prince, however, rejected the false accusation and boldly defied the Company’s directive.

The East India Company viewed his defiance as an act of rebellion. This led to a fierce battle in 1824 between Prince Chain Singh Ji’s forces and the East India Company’s army at Sehore, a town located about 37 kilometers west of Bhopal. Prince Chain Singh Ji fought valiantly and attained martyrdom at the young age of 24.

Kunwar Chain Singh ji SAMADI 

His samadhi (memorial) was constructed near the battlefield where he laid down his life. Prince Chain Singh Ji is honored as the “Amar Shaheed of Malwa,” a title officially recognized by the Government of Madhya Pradesh. People from all communities visit his samadhi to offer prayers and seek his blessings. Alongside him, Himmat Khan and Bahadur Khan, the jagirdars of Dhanora from Narsinghgarh State, also sacrificed their lives in the battle. Their tombs are located near the samadhi of Prince Chain Singh Ji at Sehore, standing as lasting tributes to their bravery.

Kunwar Chain Singh ji Jayanti

Every year, the Government of Madhya Pradesh organizes a special program on July 24th called the Shaheed Kunwar Chain Singh Ji Jayanti Samaroh. As part of the celebration, a procession (julus) begins from his samadhi located at Char-Bagh in Narsinghgarh, honoring his legacy and sacrifice.

Kunwar Chain Singh Sagar DAM

A beautiful dam has also been named in his honor as the Kunwar Chain Singh Sagar Dam by the Government of Madhya Pradesh. Located about 30 kilometers from the city, the dam is easily accessible by road.

Kuwrani ji- Kunwar chain Singh ji wife

Kunwar Chain Singh Ji was married to Kuwrani Rajawati Ji from Thikana-Muvaliya, a royal estate of Narsinghgarh State located just 3 km from the city. His ancestors belonged to the royal family of Jhilay, Jaipur. After the martyrdom of Shaheed Kunwar Chain Singh Ji, his wife, Kuwrani Rajawati Ji, took a lifelong vow of fasting—surviving only on leaves (pado ke patte)—as a mark of her deep devotion and sacrifice.

She also built a temple at Parsram Sagar, named “Kuwrani Ji Mandir,” where she dedicated her life to prayer and worship. This temple is situated near Narsingh-Dwar, close to the Capawat Ji Temple, and stands as a symbol of her unwavering faith and love.

Rani Lakshmi Bai of Jhansi ask for help

Rani Lakshmi Bai of Jhansi had heard about Prince Chain Singhji’s rebellious attitude towards the East India Company and the battle he fought with the Company at Sehore in 1824. She decided to approach the Narsinghgarh State for help in the first war of Independence of 1857 against the Company to which the then Ruler of Narsinghgarh agreed. But unfortunately before Narsinghgarh could render any sort of help, the Rani was surrounded by the Company forces at Gwalior and she became a martyr.

After the martyrdom of Rani Lakshmi Bai, Tantya Tope her close confidant and main supporter in the first struggle for Indian Independence of 1857 came to Narsinghgarh and was clandestinely kept by the Ruler in the thick forest of Kantora just behind the Fort Palace for quite a long time till he moved to another location to carry out his struggle

 

Historical Movements

फिल्मनगरी मुंबई से नरसिंहगढ़ का इतिहास 

Bollywood’s first color film AAN was filmed at Narsinghgarh Fort, Goughati, and Parasram Talab.

India’s first color film, AAN, starring Dilip Kumar, Nadira, and Prem Nath, was shot in Narsinghgarh and its surrounding forests. The renowned director and producer Mehboob Khan visited Narsinghgarh in 1952 specifically for the film’s shooting. Iconic scenes were filmed at the Narsinghgarh Fort, Parasram Sagar Lake, and Goughati. Mesmerized by the natural beauty of Narsinghgarh, Mehboob Khan famously called it the “Kashmir of Malwa.”

Recently, Stree 2 was also filmed in Narsinghgarh, bringing new attention to its scenic beauty as a filming location.

View from narsinghgarh fort gate

History of Arts & Music

The rulers of Narsinghgarh were great patrons of arts and music, fostering a rich cultural heritage that flourished under their reign.

The Malwa School of Arts, as it is known today, traces its roots back to the Narsinghgarh School of Arts, which flourished during the 18th and 19th centuries. One of its notable artists, Madhav Das, created a famous collection of paintings known as Rag Ragini. The temples of Kunwarani Ji and Chapawat Ji, built by the queens of Narsinghgarh on the banks of Paras Ram Sagar, beautifully depict Krishna Leela through intricate artwork. This artistic tradition later spread to Mandu, eventually gaining wider recognition as the Malwa School of Arts.

Narsinghgarh also boasts a rich musical heritage. Ustad Rajab Ali Khan, a celebrated singer of Khayal Gayaki, was born here in 1874. He received numerous state, national, and private awards between 1909 and 1955. His father, Mughal Khan, served as a musician in the royal court of Narsinghgarh. Among Ustad Rajab Ali Khan’s many disciples was the legendary classical singer Ustad Amir Khan. Interestingly, TV actor Shahbaz Khan—known for his role as Mahadji Scindia in the Great Maratha series—is Ustad Amir Khan’s son.

Adding to its cultural legacy, Narsinghgarh played a role in shaping one of Hindi literature’s greatest Chhayawad poets, Mahadevi Verma. She began writing poetry during her stay in Narsinghgarh, where her father, Babu Govind Prasad, served as Naib Dewan, and her brothers attended the local high school.

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