Dewas district#Divisions

The district takes its name from the district headquarters town, Dewas, which is said to have been derived on the basis of two traditions. One is that Dewas lies at the base of a {{convert|300|ft|adj=on}} conical hill, known as Chamunda hill, on top of which the shrine of Chamunda is located. The image of the goddess is cut into the wall of a cave, known as Devi Vashini or the goddess's residence. From this, the name Dewas (dev-vas) seems to have been derived. The other view of the probable origin is from the name of the founder of the city, Dewasa Bania.{{Cite web|url=http://dic.mp.nic.in/dewas/Dewas/html/geography.htm|title=Geography|website=dic.mp.nic.in|access-date=30 September 2016}}

{{Main|Dewas State}}

{{See also|Dewas Junior|Dewas Senior|Dhar State|Indore State|Gwalior State}}

Dewas was formerly two separate Maratha princely states of British India (Dewas Junior) and (Dewas Senior). The original state was founded in the first half of the 18th century by the brothers - Jivaji Rao (Junior) and Tukaji Rao (Senior), from the Puar clan of Marathas. They had advanced into Malwa with the Maratha Peshwa, Baji Rao, in 1728. The brothers divided the territory among themselves and their descendants ruled as the senior and junior branches of the family. After 1841, each branch ruled its own portion as a separate state, though the lands belonging to each were intimately entangled. Both Dewas States were in the Malwa Agency of the Central India Agency.

Dewas Junior & Senior Darbars (Courts) were composed of Sardars, Mankaris, Istamuradars, Thakurs and Jagirdars.{{cite book|title=Way of Life: King, Householder, Renouncer : Essays in Honour of Louis Dumont|author=Madan, T.N.|date=1988|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass|isbn=9788120805279|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1_qMH9PY9fQC&pg=PA129|page=129|access-date=2015-07-04}}{{Cite web | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xdIBAAAAMAAJ&q=Mankari+being+primarily+a+title+applied+to+Maratha+noblemen%2C+who+held+an+official+position+at+court |title = Pt. II. Descriptive articles on the principal castes and tribes of the Central Provinces|last1 = Russell|first1 = Robert Vane|year = 1916}}

After India's independence in 1947, the Rajas of Dewas acceded to India, and their states were integrated into Madhya Bharat, which became a state of India in 1950. Later, in 1956, Madhya Bharat was merged into Madhya Pradesh state.{{Cite web|url=http://dic.mp.nic.in/dewas/Dewas/html/history_of_dewas.htm|title=History Of Dewas|website=dic.mp.nic.in|access-date=30 September 2016}}

File:The Durga Bagh Palace, Dewas Junior State.jpg|The Durga Bagh Palace, Dewas Junior State.

File:A rare photograph of the Old Palace (Rajwada) of Dewas Junior.jpg|A rare photograph of the Old Palace (Rajwada) of Dewas Junior.

File:The Shree Lakshmi Narayan Bhawan Club, Dewas Junior State.jpg|The Shree Lakshmi Narayan Bhawan Club, Dewas Junior State

File:Shree Narayan Tower, Dewas Junior. The Clock Tower is named after HH Raja Srimant Narayanrao (Dada Sahib) Puar of Dewas (Junior).jpg|Shree Narayan Tower, Dewas Junior. The Clock Tower is named after HH Raja Srimant Narayanrao (Dada Sahib) Puar of Dewas (Junior).

File:The Gate at Shree Malhar, The Residence of His Holiness Shri Shilnath Maharaj.jpg|The Gate at Shree Malhar, The Residence of His Holiness Shri Shilnath Maharaj.

File:The Law Courts, Dewas Junior State.jpg|The Law Courts, Dewas Junior State.

Dewas district lies in west Madhya Pradesh on the level plains of the Malwa plateau. To the south, the land rises gently to the Vindhya Range, which is the source of the Chambal and Kali Sindh rivers that flow north through the district on their way to the Ganges.

Due to its high elevation and inland location, even during the hottest months of the year, the nights are relatively cool, which is known as Shab-e-Malwa.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_0RpUoGiou4C|title=Omkareshwar and Maheshwar: Travel Guide|date=2011|publisher=Goodearth Publications|isbn=9789380262246|page=79|access-date=8 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171008231849/https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=_0RpUoGiou4C|archive-date=8 October 2017|url-status=live}} Three distinct seasons are observed: summer, monsoon and winter. Dewas gets most of its rainfall during July–September due to the southwest monsoon.

{{Dewas weatherbox}}

File:Pushpgiri Tirth, Sonkatch, Dewas.png

File:Pushpgiri Jain Tirth, Sonkatch, Dewas.png

Shri Digambar Jain Teerth Kshetra, Pushpagiri is located {{convert|4|km|abbr=on}} west of Sonkatch, in the area of the Songiri Hills.{{Cite web |url=http://www.pushpgiri.emsindia.com/ |title=Pushpgiri Teerth, Sonkutch, Dist. Dewas (M.P.), India |access-date=12 July 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821183954/http://www.pushpgiri.emsindia.com/ |archive-date=21 August 2016 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=https://www.jinaagamsaar.com/tirth/pushpgiri.php |title=Shri Pushpgiri Ji, Sonkatch, Dewas |access-date= 13 July 2021}} The temple here is dedicated to Lord Mahavir. This Jain kshetra is a sprawling 250-acre complex housing Jain Sthanaks, schools, hospital, museum, cottages, shopping center and a {{convert|108|ft|m|adj=mid|-tall}} idol of Bhagwan Paraswanath in a Yogic (Padmasan) posture, one of the tallest Jain idols.

{{Main|Kheoni Sanctuary}}

File:Kheoni Wildlife Sanctuary Area, Dewas.png

Kheoni Wildlife Sanctuary straddles Kannod tehsil of Dewas district and Sehore district{{cite web |url= https://wildtrails.in/kheoni-wildlife-sanctuary/ |title= Kheoni Wildlife Sanctuary |website= WildTrails Recent Sightings|date= 23 September 2017 }} It is spread over an area of {{convert|132|km2}}. According to a bird survey done in April 2018, Kheoni has around 125 species of birds, including the state bird of Madhya Pradesh, the Indian paradise flycatcher.{{cite news |date= 9 April 2018 |title= Four new species found in first Malwa bird count |url= https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/indore/first-malwa-bird-counting-four-new-species-found-in-first-bird-survey/articleshow/63672444.cms |newspaper= The Times of India}}

File:Kheoni Wildlife Sanctuary, Dewas.png

{{Main|Nemawar}}

File:Digambar Jain temple.jpg]]

Nemawar is a small town located banks of Narmada River, here is many significance places like - Siddheshwar Mahadev Temple, Nabhi Kund, Digambar Jain Mandir, Ma Renuka Mandir ets.

File:Interlocked_basaltic_columns_at_of_Kavadia_mountain.jpg

These are a series of hills, situated next to Potla and Pipri villages in Bagli Taluk of Dewas district.{{cite web |url=https://dewas.nic.in/en/tourist-place/kavadia-hills/ |title=Kavadia Hills |access-date= 13 July 2021}} There are a total of seven mountain-like formations of shaped, interlocking, basalt columns that were probably created simultaneously as a result of volcanic eruption millions of years ago. These rock columns are arranged in a pattern that gives an appearance of a man-made structure. Most of the columns are hexagonal and interlocked with similar rocks on all the edges that emit a musical sound when struck.{{Cite web|url=https://www.dewasonline.in/city-guide/dewas-tourism|title=Dewas Tourism, Famous Tourist Spots in Dewas, Travel in Dewas|website=www.dewasonline.in}} Most visible columns are 8 to 10 feet long but there can be longer rocks further deep inside the mountain. Although basalt columns are not unique and are found at several places around the world (including St. Mary's Islands in Karnataka, India), the quality, quantity, geometrical arrangement and location (far from an ocean) of this place is unique.{{cite web |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/indore/Rare-rock-formation-found-in-Dewas-district/articleshow/17744224.cms |title=Madhya Pradesh: Rare rock formation found in Dewas district |newspaper=The Times of India |date= 24 December 2018 |access-date= 28 December 2020}}

Situated on the Indore-Nemawar road, Gidya Khoh or Gidiya Khoh lies in the Dewas District, and has a waterfall surrounded by a valley. The waterfall cascades from a height of 500–600 ft. Khudel devta temple is located here. Gidya Khoh is located about {{convert|48|km}} south of Dewas and 42 km east of Indore.{{cite web |url=https://dewas.nic.in/en/tourist-place/gidya-khoh/ |title=Gidiya Kho |date= |author= |access-date= 13 July 2021}}

• Pawar Chhatries
• Chamunda Tekri
• Mahadev Temple (Shankar Garh)
• Kela Devi Temple, Dewas
• Dharaji
• Shree Siddhi Vinayak Ganesh Temple, Nagda

The United Nations awarded Dewas district's community water management works the 3rd place under the category of "Best Water Management Practices" for 2011–2012.{{cite web| title = 'Water for Life' UN-Water Best Practices Award: 2012 edition: Finalists | url = https://www.un.org/waterforlifedecade/finalists2012.shtml | access-date = 2015-05-21 |quote=3rd ranked: Bhagirath Krishhak Abhiyan, Water Conservation for Food Security}} The United Nations also praised Bhagirath Krishhak Abhiyan of Dewas district, started by district administrator Umakant Umrao. A documentary film made by Public Service Broadcasting Trust about Dewas water revolution was featured on Lok Sabha TV.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RHAjnwXZmU |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/7RHAjnwXZmU |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|title=Umakant Umrao "Dewas Ke Bhagirath"|website=YouTube |date=25 February 2014 |access-date=2015-05-21 }}{{cbignore}}

File:Dewas Tehsil Locator.png

Dewas District is divided into nine tehsils:

1. Sonkatch,
2. Dewas,
3. Bagli,
4. Kannod,
5. Tonk Khurd,
6. Khategaon,
7. Hatpipliya
8. Satwas
9. Udainagar .

Dewas tehsil is situated on the north-western part of the district, Sonkatch on the north-eastern part, Bagli on the south, Kannod on the south-central part and Khategaon on the South-east. Dewas, the headquarters of Dewas tehsil, and the district headquarters, is situated on National Highway and is also connected by broad-gauge railway line of western Railway.{{cite web |url=https://dewas.nic.in/en/general-information/ |title=Dewas - General Information |access-date= 13 July 2021}}

The district contributes 5 seats to the Madhya Pradesh Vidhan Sabha: Dewas, Sonkatch, Hatpipliya, Bagli and Khategaon.

Dewas is also spread across 3 Lok Sabha constituencies: Dewas (Sonkatch, Dewas, Tonk Khurd and Hatpipliya tehsils), Khandwa (Bagli and Satwas tehsils) and Vidisha (Khategoan and Kannod tehsils)

In terms of roadways, NH-47 passes through the southern parts of the district and NH-52 passes through Dewas city. In addition, there are State Highways and other district highways within the district.

The district has 3 railway stations, of which Dewas Junction (DWX), gets the most passenger traffic. It is a part of Ratlam Division of the Western Railway Zone.

{{historical populations |11=1901|12=2,28,938| 13=1911|14=2,74,986| 15=1921|16=2,68,396| 17=1931|18=3,06,975| 19=1941|20=3,26,221| 21=1951|22=3,45,306| 23=1961|24=4,46,901| 25=1971|26=5,94,336| 27=1981| 28=7,95,309| 29=1991|30=10,33,807 |31=2001|32=13,08,223 |33=2011|34=15,63,715|percentages=pagr|footnote=source:{{Cite web|url=https://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/PCA/A2_Data_Table.html|title=Decadal Variation In Population Since 1901 |publisher=Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India|website=www.censusindia.gov.in}} |align=right |cols=2}}

{{Bar box|titlebar=Religion In Dewas (2011)|title={{bar box

|title=Religions in Dewas district (2011){{cite web |title=Table C-01 Population By Religion: Madhya Pradesh |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/11381/download/14494/DDW23C-01%20MDDS.XLS |website=census.gov.in|publisher=Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India}}

|titlebar=#FCD116

|left1=Religion

|right1=Percent

|float=right

|bars=

{{bar percent|Hinduism|darkorange|88.03}}

{{bar percent|Islam|green|11.14}}

{{bar percent|Jainism|brown|0.42}}

{{bar percent|Other or not stated|black|0.41}}

}}|background-color=White}}

According to the 2011 census Dewas District has a population of {{formatnum:1563715}},{{Cite web |date=2011 |title=District Census Handbook: Dewas |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/698/download/2440/DH_2011_2320_PART_A_DCHB_DEWAS.pdf |website=Census of India |publisher=Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India}} roughly equal to the nation of Gabon{{cite web | author = US Directorate of Intelligence | title = Country Comparison:Population | url = https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2119rank.html | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070613004507/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2119rank.html | url-status = dead | archive-date = 13 June 2007 | access-date = 2011-10-01 | quote = Gabon 1,576,665}} or the US state of Hawaii.{{cite web|url=http://2010.census.gov/2010census/data/apportionment-pop-text.php |title=2010 Resident Population Data |publisher=U. S. Census Bureau |access-date=2011-09-30 |quote=Hawaii 1,360,301 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019160532/http://2010.census.gov/2010census/data/apportionment-pop-text.php |archive-date=2013-10-19 }} This gives it a ranking of 319th in India (out of a total of 640). The district has a population density of {{convert|223|PD/sqkm|PD/sqmi}}. Its population growth rate over the decade 2001-2011 was 19.48%. Dewas has a sex ratio of 941 females for every 1000 males, and a literacy rate of 70.53%. 28.89% of the population lives in urban areas. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes make up 18.67% and 17.44% of the population respectively.

{{clear}}

{{Pie chart

|caption = Languages of Dewas district (2011)

|radius=75

|label1 = Hindi |value1 = 55.51 |color1 = orange

|label2 = Malvi |value2 = 32.73 |color2 = deeppink

|label3 = Nimadi |value3 = 3.10 |color3 = mediumvioletred

|label4 = Urdu |value4 = 1.90 |color4 = green

|label5 = Gondi |value5 = 1.31 |color5 = darkturquoise

|label6 = Bareli |value6 = 1.08 |color6 = palegoldenrod

|label7 = Bhili |value7 = 0.91 |color7 = khaki

|label8 = Others |value8 = 3.46 |color8 = grey

}}

As of the 2011 census, 55.51% of the population in the district spoke Hindi, 32.73% Malvi, 3.10% Nimadi, 1.90% Urdu, 1.31% Gondi, 1.08% Bareli, and 0.91% Bhili as their first language.{{Cite web |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/10211/download/13323/DDW-C16-STMT-MDDS-2300.XLSX |title=Table C-16 Population by Mother Tongue: Madhya Pradesh |website=censusindia.gov.in|publisher=Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

• [http://dewas.nic.in Dewas District web site]
• [http://www.mapsofindia.com/maps/madhyapradesh/dewas.html Dewas City Map]

{{Geographic location

|Centre = Dewas district

|North = Shajapur district

|Northeast =

|East = Sehore district

|Southeast = Harda district

|South = East Nimar district

|Southwest = West Nimar district

|West = Indore district

|Northwest = Ujjain district

}}

{{Madhya Pradesh}}

{{Ujjain Division}}

{{Narmada basin}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Districts of Madhya Pradesh