History of Umaria

Umaria is an important north eastern district in shahdol division of Madhya Pradesh state. The total geographical area of the district sums up to 4548 square kilometers and has a population of 515,963. Umaria is enriched with its vast resources of forests and minerals. The coal mines are a steady source of revenue for the district.

The most important mineral found in the district is coal and as a result 8 mines are being operated by South Eastern Coalfields Limited (Nowrozabad) in the district. The famous Bandhavgarh National Park (Tala) and Sanjay Gandhi Thermal Power Station at Mangthar (Pali) are located in the district. Umaria was formerly the headquarters of the South Rewa District and thereafter the headquarters town of the Bandhavgarh tehsil. It is situated at a distance of about 69 km. from Shahdol, the parent district. Metalled roads connect the town with Katni, Rewa Shahdol, etc., on which regular buses ply. Umaria is also a railway station on the Katni-Bilaspur section of the South-Eastern Railway.

As of 2011 it is the second least populous district of Madhya Pradesh (out of 50), after Harda. Umaria was a part of Shahdol district before separation in 1998. Umariya is ruled by Lodhi Rajputs (Malgujars). The Lodhi Rajput Family built the famous and important temple of Lakshmi Narayan on southern bank of Narbada Barman ghat. They also built on the steps of the northern bank of Barman ghat Kareli a great gateway called the Hathi Darwaza, to allow their elephants passage. Later HH Thakur Shri Ranmat Singh Baghel, the descent of Maharaja Vikramaditya of Rewa with his force and won it from Lodhis then it became the Southern Capital of Rewa Riyasat after some years in 17th century. Umaria was always a favorite town for many a princes and kings because the dense forests and tigers. The forests of Bandhavgarh were game reserve of Maharaja of Rewa.