Sagar

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name=Sagar
type=City
latd = 23.83 |longd= 78.71
locator_position=centre
state_name= Madhya Pradesh
district= Sagar
time_zone= Indian Standard Time UTC+0530
currency= Rupees
language(s)= Hindi (Official), English
altitude=427
population_as_of = 2001 | population_total = 1(sagar sandhu)
population_density = 150
area_magnitude = 9
area_total=6375
area_telephone= 91 (0)7582
postal_code= 470001,2,3,4
vehicle_code_range= MP-15
footnotes = |

Sagar (Saugar), (Hindi: सागर, Urdu: ساگر), called the "city of lakes," is a city in Madhya Pradesh state of central India. It is the administrative seat of Sagar District and Sagar Division. In a picturesque situation on a spur of the Vindhya Range and 1758 ft. above sea-level, Sagar is a handsomely built university town with great natural beauty and cultural heritage. Hindi is the official language of the city, while Bundelkhandi is the local dialect. Sagar is well known for its contribution to Hindi literature, and hosts a number of writers, poets and other artists leading in their respective fields.

The region is popular on India's tourism scene, due to its cultural heritage and diversity. Some very good places of interest in and around Sagar are Rahatgarh Waterfalls, Garhphra Mountains and Temples, and Khimlasa Forts.

Sagar is developing into an industrial area, with many new industries setting up in the city. Sagar has its own hospital and medical research centre, called "Bhagyoday Tirth", as well as an army cantonment. Thus the city is known as the "Heart of Madhya Pradesh".

Sagar has a very good transportation network, with the railway system (Indian Railways) and national highways (National Highways Authority of India) connecting it with major cities across India. The nearest airport is at Bhopal.

Sagar region is served by various media networks. Regional commercial television networks such as City Vision Networks (CVN), "Doordarshan" (DD) etc operate in and around the city. The region also receives local radio networks such as Gold 95.1 FM. Sagar is home to various daily newspapers such as "Dainak Bhaskar", "Dainak Jaagran". "Pragati Shopping Mall" and many commercial shops are located mainly in the Civil Lines area. Sagar has a small stadium, where different sporting events are organized. Cricket and football are popular sports.

History

Sagar owes its importance to having been made the capital of the Maratha governor Govind Pant Bundele who established himself here in 1735. By a treaty concluded with the Maratha Peshwa in 1818, at the conclusion of the Third Anglo-Maratha War, the greater part of the present district was made over to the British. The town became the capital of the Saugor and Nerbudda Territories, then attached to the North-Western Provinces. The Saugor and Nerbudda Territories later became part of the Central Provinces (afterwards Central Provinces and Berar) and Sagar District was added to Jabalpur Division. During the Revolt of 1857 the whole district was in the possession of the rebels, except the town and fort, in which the British were shut up for eight months, until relieved by Sir Hugh Rose. The rebels were totally defeated and British rule restored by March, 1858. In the early 20th century Sagar had a British cantonment, which contained a battery of artillery, a detachment of a European regiment, a native cavalry and a native infantry regiment. Upon India's independence in 1947, The former Central Provinces and Berar became the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh.

Geography

Sagar is located at coord|22.27|N|79.43|E| [ [http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/35/Sagar.html Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Sagar] ] . It has an average elevation of 594 metres (1948 feet) and a total area of 6375 km² in a shape of triangle. It is the 6th largest city in the province of madhya pradesh, and a division having five districts:
# Damoh
# Panna
# Tikamgarh
# Chattarpur
# Sagar (Town)

Interesting Places

The city is a beautiful scenic town with gently rolling hills of Bundelkhand which provide panoramic views of lovely Sagar lake. The lake was founded by Lakha Banzaara in early 1100 AD. Some interesting places to visit around the region are:
* Rahatgarh Waterfalls and Fort - at 40km These 30m waterfalls on river Bina are a popular picnic spot.
* Balaji Temple Is on small hillock to the south of the town.
* Rangir Temple
* Garpehra Temple & Fort - About 12 km from Sagar on the hill of Bhainsha this is a temple of Lord Hanuman with an old Fort closeby with its decoration of colored tiles that can still be seen.
* Abchand caves and rock-shelters - Here prehistoric rock-paintings can be seen
* Khimlasa Fort
* Dhamoni Mosque
* Patneshwar Shiva Temple Dhana
* Neoradehi Reserved Forests and Sanctury - for nature and wildlife lovers. In spring(Feb - March) this deciduous forest blooms into bright Fire colours of Orange, Red, Yellow, White - in morning breeze its easy to mistake that, the whole forest is on fire!! - a truly breathtaking panorama.
* Sagar University
* Sagar Jheel (Lakha Banzara Lake)

Demographics

As of 2001 India census [GR|India] , Sagar had a population of 232,321. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Sagar has an average literacy rate of 74%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 80%, and female literacy is 68%. In Sagar, 14% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Education

University of Sagar was the first university to be established in Madhya Pradesh, and the 18th university of India. A precursor to this university was established well before Indian independence. Situated on top of hills overlooking the town it has an expansive campus. Sagar also has a Government Engineering College which has all the major branches of engineering and a medical college scheduled to oon.what

The city has a very good school system, including Government Higher Secondary School, Kendriya Vidyalaya, Arya Kanya Vidyalaya, Saraswati Shishu Mandir higher secondary school, Vatsalya Public School, Pearl Public School and the reputed Saint Joseph's Convent School Sagar. Sagar also has colleges such as Gyanveer College, where students can pursue their higher education. Chimes Aviation Academy is located in Dhana which is about 12 km from Sagar.

References

www.kv1sagar.com the official website of Central School,Sagar

External links

* [http://wikitravel.org/en/Sagar Sagar Travel Guide From Wikitravel]
* [http://www.sagar.nic.in Sagar City Council Official Website]
* [http://www.sagaruniversity.nic.in Dr. Hari Singh Gour University: University of Sagar]
* [http://www.bhaskar.com Dainik Bhaskar Newspaper]
* [http://www.dailyhindinews.com Daily Hindi News, The first online Hindi Newspaper from Sagar & Bundelkhand]
* [http://kv1sagar.com Kendriya Vidayalaya]