Visit the Shivpuri, it seems, got its name thanks to the many temples dedicated to Lord Shiva (the destroyer of the Hindu Trinity of Gods) here. That might be true, it is known that at one time it used to be called Sipri.
Here Abul Fazal has made a passing reference to it in his Ain-i Akbari. Then apparently, in 1564, while returning from Mandu, Akbar stayed here to hunt the elephants in its jungles.
You know in the 17th century, by a curious twist of events, it came to be the jagir (estate) of the Narwar Kachhawahas. The Mughals, like most royalty, were plagued by the problem of too many claimants to the throne - and sometimes many promising candidates were in the fray together. When Shah Jahan emperor, whose reign is hailed as the golden period of the Mughals, came to power his problem was his elder brother Prince Khusro.
Khusro had been the grand old Mughal, Akbar's favourite grandson - in fact for a long time bets were on that Khusro would succeed Akbar instead of his son, Jahangir. An eventuality which Akbar's sudden death prevented. You know throughout his lifetime, Jahangir saw to it that Khusro never had any leisure for his thoughts to stray towards the throne.
Now its time for the next ruler to take charge, intrigue again won over hierarchy. Afterwards having put all his other brothers to bed, Shah Jahan started looking for Khusro.
Then unfortunately for the king, his brother, being a very capable general and a popular hero, had a strong and loyal following and managed to elude him for a long time.
Then one of the people who went over to Khusro's side was Amar Singh Kachhawaha of Narwar. It was the time when Khusro was finally captured and put to death, Amar Singh lost his estate. However, visit as a special show of mercy later Sipri and Kolras were granted to him (See History under India head for more details.)
¤ Scindias Rose As A Supreme Power
In the year 1804, when the Scindias were an established power in central India, they merged Shivpuri in their empire and Jadho Singh Ingle became its governor. Later on very soon after though, in 1817, the British with one of their clever full-of-fine-print treaties took control of Shivpuri. However it didn't last long under them. In the year 1818 the Scindias demanded and got it back though the British presence remained strong.
In the year 1857, during the Indian War of Independence, the Gwalior troops that were stationed here revolted and the European sahibs had to flee for their lives. Then, at the end of the battle though, the British returned and hanged Tantia Tope, one of the principal leaders in the rebellion.
Today, the dense forests of the Shivpuri where Akbar and the Scindias once hunted are a preserved area and called Madhav National Park one of the best in india.
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