Baghelkhand

Baghelkhand, also spelled Bagelkhand, is a historical and cultural region of central India. It is named after the Baghel (Baghela) Rajput clan, which populated and, at various times, ruled parts of the area in medieval and early modern periods. The term denotes both a traditional geographic territory and a distinct cultural landscape, used in historical writings and contemporary regional discourse to describe the area and its people.

Geography and core area: The core of Baghelkhand lies in eastern Madhya Pradesh and adjoining areas that are now partly in Chhattisgarh. It centers on the Rewa region and the upper basins of the Son and Narmada rivers, and extends into surrounding districts. Principal towns historically associated with it include Rewa, Satna, Maihar, Shahdol, Sidhi, and nearby localities. Boundaries are not fixed and vary by source, reflecting shifting political and cultural borders over centuries.

History and polity: The Baghel Rajputs established feudal polities throughout the area, with their influence growing in the early modern period. The Baghel dynasty eventually came to rule a major princely state centered on Rewa, under British suzerainty until 1947. The region also included smaller principalities and chieftaincies that acknowledged Baghel authority or paid tribute.

Culture and language: Baghelkhand is associated with the Bagheli language, a western Hindi dialect spoken in parts of the region, and with local folk traditions, music, and oral literature. The area features temples, forts, and other monuments tied to its Rajput heritage.

Modern status: After Indian independence and subsequent administrative reorganizations, Baghelkhand became part of the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, with some references noting adjacent areas in what is now Chhattisgarh. Today the term remains a historic and cultural designation rather than an administrative unit.