Bhitarwar is a city and a municipality in Gwalior district in the state of Madhya Pradesh, India. The town is surrounded by a river called Parbati. As of 2011, the population of Bhitarwar town is 19,096, in 3,422 households. Bhitarwar is the headquarters of a tehsil, Vidhan Sabha constituency, as well as a community development block. The block is divided between the tehsils of Bhitarwar and Chinour; Chinour tehsil was created out of Bhitarwar tehsil in 2008.

Geography

Bhitarwar is located at 25.8°N, 78.12°W. It has an average elevation of 227 metres (745 feet).

History

Earliest maintain of this city found place in the writings of Bhavbhuti as Pawaya which was situated on the River Para (modern Parbati) and Chandrabhaga (modern Sindh). Pawaya was ancient capital of Naga dynasty and it had relationships with Gupta Empire too. Current pawaya village is situated in east direction (7 km radius) from modern town. It was captured by Maratha kings of Gwalior (Scindias) in a small clash. Afghans has important role in this war The Bhitarwar Fort was established by Hanselia Jat ruler Raja Berajshah in 16th century.He also built a Fort at the nearby hill known as Laxmangarh for his brother Laxman Singh. There are many other building of Hanselia Jat rulers in Bhitarwar.There are many other fort build by Hanselia rulers like Mastura Fort, Kiror Fort and Gijora Fort. By the early 20th century, Bhitarwar was the seat of the pargana of Mastura. It was hit hard by the Indian famine of 1899-1900, and many people died. Early-20th-century Bhitarwar had a post office run by Gwalior State, a police station, and a small, poorly-maintained fort. The 1901 census recorded its population as 1,530 people (815 male and 715 female).

Demographics

India census, Bhitarwar had a population of 25,670. Males constitute 54% of the population and females 46%. Bhitarwar has an average literacy rate of 74%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with male literacy of 82% and female literacy of 64%. 17% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Transportation

Bhitarwar is situated on Dabra - satanwada state highway and connected to all nearby cities by road. Nearest railway station is in Dabra, and major railway junction is Gwalior which is around 72 km away from the town and jhansi 75 km. Nearest airport is Rajmata vijyaraje Scindia airport Gwalior. There is no hope for railway line to this town

Economy

Economy of the city is based on agriculture. The main crop of this area is wheat, rice and sugarcane, there is a sugar factory in this city. Other than this cottage industries also found place in the town. Bricks are the most important manufactured goods produced in Bhitarwar. Red marble and mika also found in this area

Tourist attractions

There is many places of interest in the town like Dhumeswar, Lakheswari and Diyadah. Around 15 km away is an ancient city called Padma Pavaya. Goleswar temple is another place for visit in the city. There is a small fort in the old bhitarwar city which has need to be restoration. Some parks are also build by the govt in the town are lakhmibai park, laxamangarh park Harsi dam etc.

List of villages

Bhitarwar block contains 165 rural villages, split between the tehsils of Bhitarwar and Chinour. As of 2011, the total population of these villages is 182,935, in 35,545 households. The villages are as follows: