NAGPUR, Maharashtra

Main Attraction: Deeksha bhoomi

Deeksha bhoomi is a sacred monument of Buddhism at the place where the architect of the Indian Constitution, Dr. Baba saheb Ambedkar, went back to Buddhism along with his followers on 14 October 1956. It is the biggest stupa in Asia erected in his memory at this divine point.

Brief History

Nagpur is patonised in 18th century by the Gond king BakhtaBuland. The region around Nagpur was flourishing in the early centuries of the Christian era, but the name of Nagpur was noticed for the first time in records of the tenth century A.D. A copper plate inscription of the Rashtrakuta king Krishna III dated in the shaka year 862, discovered at Devali in Wardha district, records the grant of a villagee situated in the Visaya (district) of Nagpur – Nandivardhana. Nandivardhana which was well known as an ancient capital of the Vakatakas, is now represented by the village Nandirdhana, about three miles from Ramtek. Nagpur, which was situated near it, may have marked the original site of the modern town of that name. Thus tradition, however, gives the credit for settling the town of Nagpur to the Gond king BakhtaBuland of Devagad.

The royal family of Bhoja was ruling over Vidarbha in ancient times. After the ancient period, Nagpur was at one time under the Yadavas of Devagiri. Nagpur under the Yadavas does not seem to have attained any political importance; like the western wing of the Yadava kingdom. By 1292 A.D. the Yadava power was at the height of its glory. It however, began to decline fast when Devagiri was invaded by Alla-uddinKhilji in 1294. RamchandraYadava was taken by surprise and completely defeated. The last ruler of the YadavasHarapailadeva, was defeated and killed in 1318 A.D. by qutb-ud-din Mubarak Shah. By this defeat Maharashtra passed into the hands of the Muslim rulers and Devagiri became a centre of Islamic culture.

The Gond rulers of Devagad are directly related with the history of Nagpur. After Gond Rajas, Nagpur district was ruled by BakhtaBuland who was a capable ruler. He extended his kingdom reaching up to the borders of bearer from North and East. He founded the city of Nagpur by joining the twelve small hamlets formerly known as RajapurBarsa or Barasta. BakhtBuland died in 1706 A.D. Nagpur attained importance under the sultan, the son and successor of Bakht. After BakhtBuland, had promised to continue the Raj of the Bhosles in perpetuity. But this term was very conveniently set aside and the Court of Directors in England concurring with the view of Lord Dalhousie, the Governer General, ordered that it had been determined on grounds, both of right and policy to incorporate the state of Nagpur with the British territories and Mr. Mansel was ordered to take charge of Nagpur as the first commissioner.

After freedom, and reorganisation of States in 1956.Nagapur along with the other districts of Vidarbha region became a part of the bilingual state of Bombay.