Rewa is a city in the north-eastern part of
Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh (; ; ) is a state in central India. Its capital is Bhopal and the largest city is Indore, Indore. Other major cities includes Gwalior, Jabalpur, and Sagar, Madhya Pradesh, Sagar. Madhya Pradesh is the List of states and union te ...
state in
India
India, officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, seventh-largest country by area; the List of countries by population (United Nations), most populous country since ...
. It is the administrative center of
Rewa District
Rewa district () is a district in Madhya Pradesh state in central India. The city of Rewa is the district headquarter. Rewa is sometimes called the "Land of White Tigers", as the first White Tiger was discovered here in 1951 by the Maharaja o ...
and
Rewa Division. The city lies about northeast of the state capital
Bhopal
Bhopal (; ISO 15919, ISO: Bhōpāl, ) is the capital (political), capital city of the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh and the administrative headquarters of both Bhopal district and Bhopal division. It is known as the ''City of Lakes,'' due to ...
and north of the city of
Jabalpur
Jabalpur, formerly Jubbulpore, is a city situated on the banks of Narmada River in the state of Madhya Pradesh, India. It is the 3rd-largest urban agglomeration of the state and the 38th-largest of the country. Jabalpur is the administrative h ...
. The maximum length of Rewa district is 125 km from east to west and the length of Rewa from north to south is 96 km. This area is surrounded by Kaimur hills to the south Vindhyachal ranges pass through the middle of the district.
Geography
Rewa is located on . It has an average elevation of 259 metres (853 feet). Rewa is situated on Bank of Bihad and Bichhiya river, it's on rewa pletaue sarounded with and vindhya and kaimur ranges .
History
The district of Rewa derives its name from the town of Rewa, the district headquarters, which is another name for the
Narmada River
The Narmada River, previously also known as ''Narbada'' or anglicised as ''Nerbudda'', is the 5th longest river in India and overall the longest west-flowing river in the country. It is also the largest flowing river in the state of Madhya Prade ...
.
Present day Rewa was part of the Baghelkhand region which extended from the present day
Prayagraj
Prayagraj (, ; ISO 15919, ISO: ), formerly and colloquially known as Allahabad, is a metropolis in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.The other five cities were: Agra, Kanpur, Kanpur (Cawnpore), Lucknow, Meerut, and Varanasi, Varanasi (Benar ...
in the North to
Ratanpur in the South,
Jabalpur
Jabalpur, formerly Jubbulpore, is a city situated on the banks of Narmada River in the state of Madhya Pradesh, India. It is the 3rd-largest urban agglomeration of the state and the 38th-largest of the country. Jabalpur is the administrative h ...
in the West to
Surajpur in the East.
Baghel Dynasty
Baghel Dynasty was founded by Bhimaldev (son of Vyaghradev, the chieftain of Vyaghrapalli) in 1236 CE. Baghelas are basically
Chalukyans of
Anhilwara
Patan () is the administrative seat of Patan district in the Indian state of Gujarat and is an administered municipality. It was the capital of Gujarat's Chavda and Chaulukya dynasties in medieval times and is also known as Anhilpur-Patan t ...
(Gujarat).
The region was earlier governed by
Lodhi and
Sengar chieftains of Rajgond Dynasty. Lodhi's Diwan Tiwari conspired with Baghelas and assisted in foundation of Baghela Rule in the Gahora Patti region. In return of this favour, Baghelas granted title of "Singh Tiwari" or "Adhrajiya Tiwari" to the Diwan Tiwari.
Raja Ramchandra shifted capital to
Bandhavgarh
Bandhavgarh National Park is a national park of India, located in the Umaria district of Madhya Pradesh. It spreads over an area of and was declared a national park in 1968. It became Tiger Reserve in 1993 with a core area of .
Bandhavgarh wa ...
, and later Raja Vikramjit Singh shifted capital to Rewa in 1605 CE.
Bandhavgarh Fort was sieged by Mughals. Tansen and Birbal (Mahesh Das) were in court of Ramchandra Singh Baghel.
Raghuraj Singh Baghel built Govindgarh Fort, which lies in between Govindgarh lake. Govindgarh is known for its varieties of mangoes.
Raja Gulab Singh was called "social reformer King" of Rewa. Raja Martand Singh was the last Baghela Ruler. Later, the state joined the Union of India, after independence.
Revolt of 1857
During the Indian Rebellion of 1857, the princely state of
Rewa, located in present-day
Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh (; ; ) is a state in central India. Its capital is Bhopal and the largest city is Indore, Indore. Other major cities includes Gwalior, Jabalpur, and Sagar, Madhya Pradesh, Sagar. Madhya Pradesh is the List of states and union te ...
, witnessed significant yet complex developments. Although the broader uprising was marked by resistance to British colonial authority, Rewa's role in the rebellion was both supportive and suppressive in different contexts.
One of the most prominent figures in the region’s revolt was Thakur Ranmat Sin
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[1
/nowiki>'', a Sardar in the service of the Maharaja of Rewa and a native of Mankhari village in the present-day Satna district. Deeply disillusioned with British interference in the princely affairs of Rewa, particularly with the actions of the British Resident Political Agent, Willoughby Osborne, Ranmat Singh emerged as a regional leader of the anti-colonial movement.
Emboldened by the growing wave of rebellion across northern India, Ranmat Singh mobilized a force of approximately 2,000 rebels and launched an attack on Osborne’s bungalow. Although Osborne managed to escape, Ranmat Singh's rebellion continued to gain momentum. His forces engaged in several skirmishes across locations such as Nagod, Bhilsain, Chitrakoot, Nowgong, and Keoti—causing considerable concern to British authorities in the region.
Initially, the Maharaja of Rewa appeared to sympathize with the nationalist cause. However, under mounting pressure from the British administration, the Maharaja eventually turned against the rebellion. Viewing Ranmat Singh as a liability, the Maharaja facilitated his arrest. Thakur Ranmat Singh was charged with the murder of British officials and was ultimately executed by hanging in August 1859.
The episode underscores the internal contradictions faced by princely states during the
1857 rebellion
The Indian Rebellion of 1857 was a major uprising in India in 1857–58 against the rule of the British East India Company, which functioned as a sovereign power on behalf of the British Crown. The rebellion began on 10 May 1857 in the form ...
. While figures like Ranmat Singh championed resistance to colonial rule, many ruling elites, including the Maharaja of Rewa, were compelled—or chose—to align with the British for political survival. This duality highlights the complex nature of the 1857 uprising, where local loyalties, colonial pressures, and nationalist sentiments often clashed.
Demographics
As of 2011, Rewa had a population of about 2,35,654 out of which 1,24,012 are males and 1,11,642 are females. Rewa has an average literacy rate of 86.31%, male literacy is 91.67%, and female literacy is 80.40%. In Rewa, 10.76% of the population is under 6 years old.
Climate
Government And Administration
Government
Rewa city is part of Rewa assembly constituency, Rajendra Shukla (politician)">Rajendra Shukla is the MLA from here, He is from Bhartiy Janta Party . Rewa contributes one member to the Lok Sabha. The entire rewa Assembly is part of the Rewa Lok Sabha, Janardan Mishra">Rewa Lok Sabha constituency">Rewa Lok Sabha, Janardan Mishra Is an MP from Rewa, Bharatiya Janata Party had been elected as the Member of Parliament in the 2024 Lok Sabha election.
Administration
Rewa is a Rewa Municipal Corporation, Municipal Corporation city in district of Rewa, Madhya Pradesh. The Rewa city is divided into 45 wards for which elections are held every 5 years.
Rewa Municipal Corporation has total administration over 45,275 houses to which it supplies basic amenities like water and sewerage. It is also authorize to build roads within Municipal Corporation limits and impose taxes on properties coming under its jurisdiction.
Culture/cityscape
* Rewa Fort - This fort is the main tourist attractions in Rewa. Behind it there are two rivers. Rewa Fort is the main hub of the city of Rewa, where the Rajpariwar of Rewa resides, the garden, art gallery and many historical buildings can be seen in this fort.
* Govindgarh Palace and Lake - Govindgarh, the summer capital of Mahraja Rewa, is about 18 km from Rewa in Madhya Pradesh, India. The palace complex contained many buildings and temples, and at one time housed Mohan, the first white tiger found in India. The palace remained in use for almost a century, with a museum later established in the building.
* White Tiger Safari & Zoo Mukundpur - It is one of the unique regions where the white tiger was originally found. The main attraction at the zoo is the world's first white tiger safari in which visitors can see white tigers.
* Keoti Waterfalls- Formed by the Mahana River, Keoti Waterfall cascades from a height of 130 meters (427 feet) from the Chitrakoot Hills. It offers breathtaking views and serene surroundings, making it a popular spot for nature lovers, history buffs, and photographers. Located just 35 km from Rewa, the area around Keoti Fall is ecologically significant, with lush forests teeming with diverse flora and fauna, providing opportunities for wildlife spotting and nature photography.
*Bahuti Waterfall- Recognized as the highest waterfall in Madhya Pradesh, Bahuti Waterfall plunges from 198 meters (650 feet). It is formed by the River Odda (also known as Nihai), which joins the Belan River, a tributary of the Tons River. This “hidden gem” offers breathtaking views and a peaceful escape into nature, ideal for picnics, photography, and relaxation. Located about 65 km from Rewa, the surrounding rugged terrain and trails offer opportunities for adventure.
Economy
A limestone belt runs through the Rewa, attracting plants like the Jaypee Rewa Cement Plant and Ultratech Cement.
Rewa Ultra Mega Solar is an operational ground mounted, grid-connected photovoltaic solar park spread over an area of 1,590 acres (6.9 km2) in the Gurh tehsil of Rewa district.The 750MW Rewa Ultra Mega Solar plant, one of the largest solar power projects in India was commissioned in July 2018.
Bansagar Dam provides sufficient amount of water for irrigation, due to which progress has been seen in the field of agriculture. The main crops are rice, wheat, and pulses.
The district exports fiber-optic cable, electrical parts, food, and manufactured goods.
The district is also a tourism destination.
Education institutions
There are many universities, colleges and institutes available in the field of education in Rewa, the major ones are :
* Awadhesh Pratap Singh University, Established in 1963
* Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University of Journalism and Communication, Established in 1990
* Shyam Shah Medical College, Established in 1968
* Rewa Engineering College, Established in 1964
* Sainik School, Rewa, Established in 1962
* Kendriya Vidhyalaya Rewa, Established in 1982
Government Thakur Ranmat Singh College, Rewa
Established in 1869
Notable people
* Awadhesh Pratap Singh, former politician and Member of the Constituent Assembly
A constituent assembly (also known as a constitutional convention, constitutional congress, or constitutional assembly) is a body assembled for the purpose of drafting or revising a constitution. Members of a constituent assembly may be elected b ...
* Sriniwas Tiwari, former Speaker of Legislative assembly of Madhya Pradesh
* Rajendra Shukla, MLA and Deputy CM of Madhya Pradesh
* Ishwar Pandey, former Indian Cricketer
* Kuldeep Sen, Indian Cricketer
* Avani Chaturvedi, India's first female fighter pilot
* Mohena Singh, Indian Television actress
* Kumud Mishra
Kumud Mishra is an Indian actor who works in Bollywood, Hindi cinema. He is known for playing supporting and antagonist roles.
Career
He played Eknath, a trade union leader in the 1995 Doordarshan drama ''Swabhimaan''. In 2011, he progressed t ...
, Indian actor
Transportation
Air
Rewa Airport is a domestic airport
A domestic airport is an airport that handles only flights within the same country. Domestic airports do not have customs and immigration facilities and so cannot handle flights to or from a foreign airport.
These airports often have short r ...
which serves the city of rewa. It is located at Chorhata, 11 km (6.8 mi) away from city centre. It became operational after inauguration by Prime minister Narendra Modi
Narendra Damodardas Modi (born 17 September 1950) is an Indian politician who has served as the Prime Minister of India, prime minister of India since 2014. Modi was the chief minister of Gujarat from 2001 to 2014 and is the Member of Par ...
on 20 October 2024. The airport is well connected by flights to Bhopal
Bhopal (; ISO 15919, ISO: Bhōpāl, ) is the capital (political), capital city of the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh and the administrative headquarters of both Bhopal district and Bhopal division. It is known as the ''City of Lakes,'' due to ...
and Khajuraho
Khajuraho () is a city, near Chhatarpur in Chhatarpur district of the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. One of the most popular tourist destinations in India, Khajuraho has the country's largest group of medieval Hindu and Jain temples, famous ...
operated by FlyBig. Under PM Paryatan Vayu Seva a 6-seater flight connects Rewa with Jabalpur
Jabalpur, formerly Jubbulpore, is a city situated on the banks of Narmada River in the state of Madhya Pradesh, India. It is the 3rd-largest urban agglomeration of the state and the 38th-largest of the country. Jabalpur is the administrative h ...
, Bhopal
Bhopal (; ISO 15919, ISO: Bhōpāl, ) is the capital (political), capital city of the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh and the administrative headquarters of both Bhopal district and Bhopal division. It is known as the ''City of Lakes,'' due to ...
and Singrauli runs twice a week.
Other major airports close to Rewa are Prayagraj Airport, Khajuraho Airport, Jabalpur Airport and Varanasi Airport
Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport is an international airport serving Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India. It is located at Babatpur, northwest of Varanasi. Formerly known as Varanasi Airport, it was officially renamed after Lal Bahadur Shastri, the 2nd ...
.
Rail
Rewa railway station
Rewa Terminal railway station is a main railway station in Rewa district, Madhya Pradesh
Madhya Pradesh (; ; ) is a state in central India. Its capital is Bhopal and the largest city is Indore, Indore. Other major cities includes Gwalior, ...
is the main railway station in Rewa city. The station consists of 5 platforms. The station is terminal on Satna-Rewa branch line which is a section of Howrah-Prayagraj-Mumbai line. The city is well connected via direct trains to major Indian cities such as Delhi
Delhi, officially the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi, is a city and a union territory of India containing New Delhi, the capital of India. Straddling the Yamuna river, but spread chiefly to the west, or beyond its Bank (geography ...
, Mumbai
Mumbai ( ; ), also known as Bombay ( ; its official name until 1995), is the capital city of the Indian state of Maharashtra. Mumbai is the financial capital and the most populous city proper of India with an estimated population of 12 ...
, Vadodara
Vadodara (), also known as Baroda, is a city situated on the banks of the Vishwamitri River in the Indian state of Gujarat. It serves as the administrative headquarters of the Vadodara district. The city is named for its abundance of banyan ...
, Bilaspur, Prayagraj
Prayagraj (, ; ISO 15919, ISO: ), formerly and colloquially known as Allahabad, is a metropolis in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.The other five cities were: Agra, Kanpur, Kanpur (Cawnpore), Lucknow, Meerut, and Varanasi, Varanasi (Benar ...
, Kanpur
Kanpur (Hindustani language, Hindustani: ), originally named Kanhapur and formerly anglicized as Cawnpore, is the second largest city of the Indian States and union territories of India, state of Uttar Pradesh after Lucknow. It was the primary ...
, Surat
Surat (Gujarati Language, Gujarati: ) is a city in the western Indian States and territories of India, state of Gujarat. The word Surat directly translates to ''face'' in Urdu, Gujarati language, Gujarati and Hindi. Located on the banks of t ...
, Rajkot
Rajkot () is the fourth-largest city in the Indian state of Gujarat
Gujarat () is a States of India, state along the Western India, western coast of India. Its coastline of about is the longest in the country, most of which lies on the ...
, Nagpur
Nagpur (; ISO 15919, ISO: ''Nāgapura'') is the second capital and third-largest city of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is called the heart of India because of its central geographical location. It is the largest and most populated city i ...
, Bhopal
Bhopal (; ISO 15919, ISO: Bhōpāl, ) is the capital (political), capital city of the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh and the administrative headquarters of both Bhopal district and Bhopal division. It is known as the ''City of Lakes,'' due to ...
, Indore
Indore (; ISO 15919, ISO: , ) is the largest and most populous Cities in India, city in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. The commercial capital of the state, it has been declared as the List of cleanest cities in India, cleanest city of In ...
, Jabalpur
Jabalpur, formerly Jubbulpore, is a city situated on the banks of Narmada River in the state of Madhya Pradesh, India. It is the 3rd-largest urban agglomeration of the state and the 38th-largest of the country. Jabalpur is the administrative h ...
, Sagar etc.
About 14 regular trains originate from this station. It consists of 7 superfast trains, 6 mail/express trains and 1 Vande Bharat Express
Vande Bharat Express is a medium to long-distance Higher-speed rail (Indian English: Semi-High Speed) Express trains in India#Superfast, Express train service. It is a Indian Railways#Ticketing and fares, reserved, air-conditioned chair car se ...
.
Road
Rewa is well enclosed in a ring of National Highways. The highways crossing through the city are NH 7, NH 27, and NH 75 NH 30.
See also
* Rewa Municipal Corporation
* Dabhaura
References
External links
Official Government Website of Rewa
{{Authority control
__FORCETOC__
Cities and towns in Rewa district
Former capital cities in India
Cities in Madhya Pradesh