History Panchmahal district

panch mahals district, 1896

the panchmahal conquered mughal empire maratha general sindhia in 18th century. in course of time, sindhia dynasty became maharajas of gwalior state and, after 1818, forced recognize british sovereignty. panch mahals transferred in 1861 sindhias british india, became district in gujarat division of bombay province. british district consisted of 2 parts, western mahals , eastern mahals, divided territories of baria (devgadh) , sanjeli states. western portion part level plain of rich soil; while eastern portion, although comprised few fertile valleys, rugged, undulating , barren, little cultivation. area of british district 1606 sq. mi., , population 261,020 in 1901. administrative headquarters @ godhra population (1901) of 20,915. ruins of champaner, former capital of hindu kingdom , later of sultans of gujarat, included in district. district of bombay presidency administered on non-regulation system, colonial collector being agent governor general of india (political agent) rewa kantha agency.

the mineral products comprised sandstone, granite , other kinds of building stone. mining manganese on large scale begun european firm. principal crops maize, millets, rice, pulse , oilseeds; there manufactures of lac bracelets , lacquered toys; chief export timber. both portions of district crossed branch of baroda, bombay & central india railways (b.b.&c.i.r) anand, through godhra , dahod, ratlam; chord line opened in 1904 godhra baroda city. district suffered severely famine of 1899-1900, , population decreased 17% 1891 1901 owing famine. in 1960, gujarat state created , panchmhals became 1 of districts in state, district headquarters @ godhra. in 1997, district panchmahals divided 2 districts panchmahals (with district headquarters @ godhra) , new district of dahod created.

champaner world heritage site. pavagarh hosts temple of kalika mata, holy shrine attracts 2 million pilgrims per annum.