Harda

Harda is a city and a municipality in Harda district in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. Harda is the administrative headquarters of Harda District.

Harda Hurdah
city
Harda
Coordinates: 22.33°N 77.1°E / 22.33; 77.1
Country	India
State	Madhya Pradesh
District	Harda
Government
• Body	B.J.P./I.N.C.
Area rank	11
Elevation	296 m (971 ft)
Population  (2011)[1]
• Total	68,162
• Rank	15
Language
• Official	Hindi[2]
Time zone	UTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN	461331
Telephone code	07577
Vehicle registration	MP 47
Website	www.harda.nic.in

History

During the Mughal period, Harda was a mahal in the Handia sarkar. In 1742, Marathas led by Peshwa Balaji Baji Rao captured the area, and displaced the Muslim governor of the Handia sarkar. Subsequently, Harda replaced Handia as the most important town in the area, as the local Maratha amil (chief) resided at Harda. Harda was a part of the Scindia's territories. In 1801, Yashwantrao Holkar sacked Harda. Later, Harda also faced attacks from the Pindaris and the Korku tribals.[3]

In 1817, during the Third Anglo-Maratha War, Harda became the headquarters of John Malcolm's division. Even after the Maratha defeat ini the war, the Scindias retained control of the Harda-Handia tract. The area was ceded to the British in 1844, but the cession was completed only in 1860. The town saw disturbances during the 1857 uprising. The Deputy Magistrate, Maulvi Mazhar-ul-Jamil, helped curb the rebellion, and was rewarded with a jagir in the Damoh district. The Harda Nagar Palika was established on 18 May 1867, and the Harda tehsil was created in 1913.[3]

The British tried to bring a progressive frame work to Harda during its rule. Harda was formed by combining Kul Harda and Mehmudabad Villages. After the railway lines were laid the conditions improved, and the area developed. In 1857 British officers worked here as judges and administrative Officers. Harda was one of the largest places in the old 'Madhya Prant' and includes area of 'Seoni Malwa.' The Harda language and culture is influenced by 'Malwa' and 'Nimar'. The main dialect spoken in Harda is known as Bhuani, and the region is known as the Bhuana area which loosely translates to more fertilized land.

Harda was the headquarters of a tehsil in the Hoshangabad district. The Harda district was created in 1998.[3]

Government and Politics

Harda has as an assembly seat in the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly with the same name i.e. Harda and the current MLA is Kamal Patel from the BJP Madhya Pradesh.

Flora and fauna

In the southern hill regions of Harda we can find the Tribal, 'Gond' and 'Korku' people. The south region of Harda was under 'Makdae' rule and the 'Gond' king was the ruler. The 'Bichhola' village of harda was the developed 'Rajaswa' center in the Mughal empire. The area which was called as 'Gondwana' became non-tribal(it is still tribal because there is a vast tribal population) during the British rule, as the workers, administration officials, farmers and business community was in touch with the states like Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat for a 150 years the area got influenced by the culture of these states.

Administration

On 18 May 1867 British established the 'Nagar Palika' in Harda and from 1920 the work was done as per the republic manner. The under ground drainage in Harda is best example of the British architect. For administration purposes Tahsil Harda was established in the year 1913.

Indian independence movement

Guru Radha Kishan was born in 1925 in Bid village of Harda district. On 15 August 1947, S.D.O Shri Beretha hosted the Indian flag at the police station of Harda. Eminent personalities from Harda include Narayanrao Raghunathrao Kekre]], the President of the Hindu Mahasabha of Madhya Pradesh.

Freedom struggle at Harda was led by Atmaram Lokre shastri in 1905. After the division of Bengal in 1905 there were political movements in Harda led by Pro. Mahadev Shivram Gole, Pandit Chandragopal Gajadharprasad Mishra (Vakil Saheb), Balwantrao Agnihotri,Bhikaji Vinayak Naik, Pandit Chandragopal Mishra, Ramdada Naik, Benimadhav Awasthi led the freedom movement. Later Thakur Guljarsingh, Sitacharan Dixit, Dadabhai Naik, Maheshdatt Mishra (son of Pt. Chandrgopal Mishra) & Champlal Sokal led the freedom struggle and were subsequently sent to jail. Prof. Maheshdatt Mishra spent 4 years in British Jails. He was personal Assistant to Mahatma Gandhi during turmoil years of 1942 "Quit India" Movement.

Geography

Harda is located at 22.33°N 77.1°E / 22.33; 77.1.[4] It has an average elevation of 296 metres (971 feet).coor title dm|22|20|N|77|06|E|region:IN_type:city

Demographics

As of 2011 Indian Census, Harda had a total population of 68,162, of which 34,970 were males and 33,192 were females. Population within the age group of 0 to 6 years was 8,205. The total number of literates in Harda was 52,771, which constituted 77.4% of the population with male literacy of 80.9% and female literacy of 73.7%. The effective literacy rate of 7+ population of Harda was 88.0%, with male literacy rate of 92.3% and female literacy rate of 83.5%. The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes population was 8,758 and 2,390 respectively. Harda had 13493 households in 2011.[1]

As of 2001 India census, Harda had a population of 61,712. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 49%. Harda has an average literacy rate of 73.6%, male literacy is 79.7%, and female literacy is 66.7%. In Harda, 14% of the population is under 6 years of age.[5]

Nearby Attractions

• Handia : It is a famous pilgrimage spot and a sacred place situated around 20 km from Harda. The Narmada River flows and consists nabhi kund (centre of river Narmada ). There are also many temples dedicated to lord Shiva, out of which the famous temple built by Pandavas is also situated here. According to myths it was built during the Mahabharat era in a single night (6 months).
• Teli Ki Sarai - About 16 km from Harda in Handia, this structure was created in the 16-17th century by a banker for his customers to rest overnight.[6][7][8] Historic records show that this was also used as a military cantonment.Near by airport Bhopal.

Education

• St. Mary's School Harda
• Sanskaar Vidhyapeet School Harda

References

1. "Census of India: Harda". www.censusindia.gov.in. Retrieved 9 October 2019.
2. "52nd REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER FOR LINGUISTIC MINORITIES IN INDIA" (PDF). nclm.nic.in. Ministry of Minority Affairs. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 May 2017. Retrieved 21 June 2019.
3. District Census Book: Harda (PDF). Directorate of Census Operation, Madhya Pradesh. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
4. "Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Harda". Fallingrain.com. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
5. "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 16 June 2004. Retrieved 1 November 2008.
6. "Harda Archeology". Archeology Dept, Govt of MP. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
7. "Gaushala to be constructed near Teli Ki Saria in 2 acres of land for 22 lacs" (in Hindi). Dainik Bhaskar. 17 September 2017. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
8. "101 plants planted for the beautification of Teli Ki Sarai" (in Hindi). Harda: Dainik Bhaskar. DB. 25 July 2016. Retrieved 8 December 2018.