Day Trip from Jabalpur - Rani Durgavati Samadhi and Bargi Dam

Rani Durgavati Samadhi Sthal

 Rani Durgavati, a Chandela Rajput princess, was married to Gadha Mandala king Dalpat Shah of Gondwana, the present-day Jabalpur region in 1942. After the death of her husband, she took the reins of the kingdom in 1750 AD. Her able rule made the state very prosperous. 

Under the expansionist policies of Akbar, his army had deposed Baz Bahadur, ruler of Malwa (Capital Mandav Garh). That made Rani Durgavati's state share a border with the Mughals. Getting lured by the prosperity of her kingdom, Akbar's general Kwaja Abdul Majid attacked her kingdom. in 1564.

Statue of Rani Durgavati

Rani Durgavati choose to defend her freedom with her small untrained and poorly armed army against a well trained, better armed and superior in number Mughal army as she felt, against the advice of her prime minister, that an honourable death is better than a disgraceful life.

She took her defensive stand against the Mughal army at Narrai Nallah, in the hilly region near Jabalpur between Narmada and Gaur. Her son Vir Narayan led the attack on Mughal Army and defeated them three times. In the battle the next day when Mughals called in their heavy guns, the battle tilted to Mughal's side. Vir Narayan got injured. Rani Durgavati also was badly injured by two arrows including one in her neck.

Rani Durgavati Samadhi. See the Copper Plate depicting her

Sensing a sure defeat and chance of the enemy capturing her, she chooses to kill herself with her dagger rather than get captured by the enemy. Her martyrdom day 24 Jun (1564) is celebrated in this region as "Balidan Diwas".

The History

Every nation loving and freedom-loving Indian should make it a point to visit her samadhi and offer her his/her respect.

Bargi Dam

Narmada (Ji) is one of the only two major rivers flowing from east to west, the other being Tapti. Rest all the major Indian rivers flow eastwards. Narmada river has a total of 30 dams irrigating and supplying drinking water to many areas of Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat. It is also called the Lifeline of these two states.

Bargi dam, constructed in 1988 is the first among the 30 dams of Narmada. Situated some 40 km south of Jabalpur, this dam is about 70 meters high and has over 5 km in length. Its huge reservoir covers an area of 75 km by 5 km spreading across some of the areas of 3 the districts of Madhya Pradesh.

Bargi Dam, view from downstream

Bargi Dam, view from the Lake Side

Bargi Dam is a day trip attraction for the people of Jabalpur and also the tourist visiting Jabalpur. MP Tourism Corporation has developed an accommodation facility, a restaurant and also boating at Bargi Dam. The MPT hotel here is a compact one with just 6 rooms overlooking the lake and the dam. However, considering the day visitors, the restaurant is much bigger and can cater for a large number of visitors.

Bargi Dam MPT Hotel and Tourist Complex, seen from the lake

Among the boating facility, there are cruise boats, speed boats and paddle boats. Cruising in the lake which is a trip of over 30 min is great fun. The whole experience is a lovely family outing.

One of the islands in the lake

Let me catch a fish

I need to digest it

Sometimes its nice to be ahead of the camera

In conclusion, this trip to Rani Durgavati Samadhi and Bargi Dam is a worthwhile day trip from Jabalpur.