Karauli town was established by Yaduwanshi king Arjunpal in 1348. Originally its name was Kalyanpuri, which was famous due to Kalyanji Temple in the state. It is established on the bank of Bhadrawati River, as a result it is also known as Bhagrawati City.
Karauli is a district in Rajasthan, India which came into existence after its separation from Sawai Madhopur district on 19th July 1997. The town of Karauli is the district headquarters. The population of the district is 1,458,248 (2011 census), indicating a population density is 264 persons per km².
Also the place is known for its temples, forts and fairs, that shows the aesthetic value of the place.
A glance at Karauli District
The district of Karauli encompasses an area of 5043 km². It is bordered by Dholpur District to the east; by Bharatpur District to the north-east; by Dausa District to the north; and by Sawai Madhopur District to the west.
The mineral resources of the area comprises of good grade stone and some iron ore. Karauli is famous for popular red-stone.
The Chambal River forms the south-eastern boundary of the district, 5 K.M. far from Mandrayal across which lies the state of Madhya Pradesh. While almost the entire district is covered by hills and ravines, there are no lofty peaks, the highest having an elevation of less than 1400 feet above sea-level.
Karauli is famous for its geographical specialites. It is covered by Vindhyanchal and Aravali mountains that shows the vitality and beauty of this place. It’s beauty gives spiritual satisfaction and it’s the piece of heaven on the Earth. District is having all sorts of plain, high & low and hilly parts. Plains are very fertile and clay is very light in weight and sandy. There are many local rivers in the district. Annual rain fall is 668.86 mm. about 35 days in a year. Maximum temperature is 49° celcius in the month of May and 2° celcius in the month of January.
Historic tale of the city
Karauli District comes under ‘Nizamat’ old areas of Karauli along with Gangapur and Hindaun of Jaipur state.
Karauli state was merged into Matasya group in April 1949, thereafter; it was merged with Jaipur State and became part of united state of Rajasthan. On 1st March 1997 Karauli district was established by the government of Rajasthan and was merged with province of Sawai Madhopur i.e. It included five Tehsils of Sawai Madhopur. Notification of formation of Karauli district was issued on 15th July 1997, and then Chief Minister Bhairo Singh Shekhawat inaugurated the district on 19th July, 1997.
The number of Fort and Fortress available in the district indicates to its historic glory.
The ‘Chatari’ of historic legends are still available. During the medieval period of country Forts of Timangarh, Untgiri, Mandrayal were prominent.The gorious temples indicates the ancient mystery, where old remains are still available.
According to the 2011 census Karauli district has a population of 1,458,459,roughly equal to the US state of Hawaii. This gives it a ranking of 340th in India (out of a total of 640). The district has a population density of 264 inhabitants per square kilometre (680/sq mi) . Its population growth rate over the decade 2001-2011 was 20.57%. Karauli has a sex ratio of 858 females for every 1000 males, and a literacy rate of 67.34%.
Historical and archaeological
The present district headquarter Karauli was one of the prominent estate of the ancient Rajputana. The sovereignty which remained between years 1100 to 1947 has a glorious history.
Fort of Timangarh: 40 km from the district headquarters in the heart of the hills on the edge of the historic Sea reservoir built in 1244 AD, the fort was built by Timnpal Ydvanshi ruler. Museum of architecture with architectural sculptures is called a precious treasure of the fort.
Mandrayal Fort: 40 km from the district headquarters is Mndrayl Durg . The year 1327 was dominated by Arjun Dev about the ruler of Karauli . The Trinity Baradari temple , located in the middle of the court , and is worth a visit Bala Durg . Rhugat in Chambal River flows nearby waterfall, crocodile century is worth seeing .
Dev Giri: Located 70 km from the district headquarters near Krnpur Untgiri , Durg devgiri is historical . In the present case in that they are cap – are cap Durg is strategically important . Located on the banks of Chambal high hills Durgo old statues and remains of palaces . Chambal River flows nearby crocodile is found in large quantities .
Bhanwarvillas Fort: Maharaja Ganesh Pal Deo Bahadur, the great monarch of Karauli, got the ancient fortress built in the year 1938. It was preordained to function as the palatial house of the old regal family. Classical buildings with royal panache and antique historical fittings in the spacious interiors are some of the main basic qualities of the Bhanwar Vilas Palace. Recently partially transformed into a rich heritage hotel, it still privately accommodates the wealthy imperial clan of Karauli.
Bahadurpur Ka Killa: 15 kilometers away from Karauli district headquarter on Mundrayal Route near forest of Sasand Village and deserted environment ‘Bahadurpura Ka Killa’ stands like an insuppressible warrior is an actual example of inseparable Mughal art. Double storied Narp Gopal Bhawan, Saheliyon Ki Bavdi, Artistic Jharokha, 18 feet long girder of common and VIP courts, 5 warriors, Magadh Rai Ki Chatri are worth watching. The fort was constructed by Nagraj was son of Yadhuvanshi King Timanpal, expansion of this fort was done throughout 1566 to 1644. Ruler of Jaipur Sawai Jaising also resided in this fort.
City Palace Chatri: It is constructed on a high hill of Gram City in Nadoti tehsil is still secure and flourishing. Its Thikanedar is ancestors of Pachan and king of Amer Raja Prithviraj. It has ancient temple of goddess.
Mahaveer Ji: Shri Mahaveer Ji temple is in Karauli district in Rajasthan, India and is 110 km from Sawai Madhopur town. Earlier known as Chandanpur, this small village became famous as a Jain religious site after an ancient idol of Mahaveer was excavated from its soil several hundred years ago. It was then renamed as Shri Mahaveer Ji This idol was excavated over 200 years ago from the same spot, after which the temple was constructed. Thousands of worshipers flock from across India to catch a glimpse of this famous statue.
Kailadevi Temple: Kaila devi temple is a Hindu temple situated 23 km from Karauli and 37 km from Gangapur City in the Rajasthan state in India. The temple is located on the banks of the Kalisil river, a tributary of the Banas River in the hills of Trikut, 2 km to the north-west of Kaila village. The temple is dedicated to the tutelary deity, goddess Kaila Devi, of the erstwhile princely Jadaun Rajput rulers of the Karauli state. It is a marble structure with a large courtyard of a checkered floor. In one place are a number of red flags planted by devotees.
Mehandipur Balaji: Mehandipur Balaji Mandir is a mandir in the Indian state of Rajasthan dedicated to the Hindu God Hanuman. The name Balaji is applied to Sri Hanuman in several parts of India because the childhood (Bala in Hindi or Sanskrit) form of the Lord is especially celebrated there. It is important to note that the temple is not dedicated to Balaji another name for Krishna. Unlike similar religious sites it is located in a town rather than the countryside. Its reputation for ritualistic healing and exorcism of evil spirits attracts many pilgrims from Rajasthan and elsewhere.
Madanmohan Ji: Madan Mohan is a form of the Hindu god, Krishna. Krishna is celebrated as Madan Mohan, who mesmerises everyone. His consort, Radha is glorified as Madan Mohan’s Mohini, the mesmeriser of the mesmeriser for spiritual aspirants. Radha is known as the mediator without whom access to Krishna is not possible. Originally from Shri Vrindavan,Madan Mohan ji went to Amer in Jaipur with Raja Sawai Jai Singh II – the founder of Jaipur and from there was brought to Karauli in Rajasthan by Maharaj Gopal Singh after he conquered the battle of Daulatabad.
Administrative Set Up
The town of Karauli is the district headquarters. District collector being the highest official is also responsible for administrative and Law & Order under the administrative system. The district is divided into six subdivisions namely Karauli, Hindaun, Sapotara, Mandrayal, Todabheem and Nadouti. These subdivisions are further divided into 5 Panchayat and 7 Thesils, 223 Panchayats, 881 villages after deciding respective field officers. District has 2 Municipal Corporation at Karauli and Hindaun, while Todabheem has a Municipality. The administrative structure of district for public participation has one Member of Parliament and four Members of Legislative Assembly.