The Rich History of Nagpur: From Gond Kingdom to Second Capital

Nagpur, widely known as the "Orange City" and the winter capital of Maharashtra, has a history as layered and vibrant as its culture. Its journey from a small princely settlement to a major Indian metropolis is a story of empires, strategy, and political change.

Let's explore the key historical milestones that shaped the city of Nagpur.

🏛️ The Founding: A Gond Prince's Vision

The foundation of the modern city of Nagpur was laid in the early 18th century by Bhakt Buland, a Gond prince from the kingdom of Deogad in the Chhindwara district.

Inspired by the "civilized life" he witnessed in Delhi, Bhakt Buland sought to build his own new capital. His successor, Chand Sultan, continued this development. However, after Chand Sultan's death in 1739, a succession dispute erupted. This instability opened the door for a new power to enter the region.

⚔️ The Maratha Era: Rise of the Bhonsle Dynasty

Enter Raghuji Bhonsle, the Maratha governor of Berar. He intervened in the succession disputes, first in 1739 to restore the rightful heir, and again in 1743. This second intervention marked a significant power shift.

• Maratha Control: Control of Nagpur gradually passed from the Gonds to the Marathas.

• A New Capital: Nagpur became the capital of the powerful Bhonsle dynasty.

• Regional Expansion: The Bhonsles' rule led to the migration of a vast class of cultivators, shaping the demographics of the Vidarbha region.

The Bhonsle dynasty faced numerous conflicts, losing territory to the Peshwas of Pune and the Nizam of Hyderabad. They famously fought alongside the Scindias (Shinde) of Gwalior against the British, losing key battles at Assaye and Argaon in 1803. After another loss to the British in 1817, Nagpur's autonomy began to fade.

🇬🇧 British Rule and the Doctrine of Lapse

The final shift occurred in 1853. The ruler, Raghuji III, died without an heir. This triggered Lord Dalhousie's infamous Doctrine of Lapse — a British policy where any princely state without a natural heir would "lapse" and be annexed by the British East India Company.

This annexation of Nagpur and other states was a major grievance that fueled the Indian War of Independence in 1857 (referred to by the British as the Sepoy Mutiny).

In 1861, Nagpur was declared the capital of the newly formed Central Provinces. The city's growth as a major trade center was cemented by the arrival of the Great Indian Peninsula Railway (GIP) in 1867.

🇮🇳 Nagpur in Modern India: Maharashtra's Second Capital

After India gained independence in 1947, Nagpur became the capital of the Madhya Bharat state (C.P. and Berar).

The most significant event in its modern history came in 1960. With the reorganization of states on linguistic lines, the Marathi-majority Vidarbha region (where Nagpur is located) was merged with the new state of Maharashtra.

To recognize the region's historic importance, Nagpur was designated the second capital of Maharashtra. It serves as the seat of the Maharashtra state legislature during the winter session, a unique political arrangement that continues to this day.

Nagpur History: Quick Facts (FAQ)

Here are direct answers to common questions about Nagpur's history.

• Who founded the modern city of Nagpur? The modern city of Nagpur was founded in the early 18th century by Bhakt Buland, a Gond prince of the Deogad kingdom.

• Which Maratha dynasty ruled from Nagpur? Nagpur was the capital of the Bhonsle dynasty of the Maratha Empire.

• How did Nagpur come under British rule? Nagpur came under British control in 1853 through Lord Dalhousie's "Doctrine of Lapse" after its ruler, Raghuji III, died without an heir.

• When did Nagpur become the second capital of Maharashtra? Nagpur was designated the second capital of Maharashtra in 1960, when the Vidarbha region was merged into the newly formed state.