Burhanpur
In 1388, Malik Nasir Khan discovered a small settlement on the north bank of the Tapti River. He named this place Burhanpur after the medieval Sufi saint Burhan-ud-Din. The Faruqi dynasty made it their capital shortly after its founding. Miran Adil Khan II ruled from 1457 to 1501 and transformed the town into a major trade center. He built a citadel and several palaces within the city limits. During his long reign, textile production became a primary industry for the region. Coins and goddess idols found in excavations prove prehistoric activity in the area.
The Mughal emperor Akbar annexed the Khandesh sultanate in 1601. This event turned Burhanpur into the capital of one of three new top-level provinces. Abdul Rahim Khan-i-Khanan served as the governor during the rule of Akbar and Jahangir. He constructed a new water supply system and planted several gardens throughout the town. In 1609, Prince Parviz chose Burhanpur as his headquarters for governing the Deccan provinces. Shah Jahan spent considerable time here while hunting wild Asiatic lions in July 1630. Daud Khan later governed the province under Aurangzeb around 1670.
A royal bath or hammam stands inside the Shahi Qila palace complex today. It was specifically built for Shah Jahan's wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Historical accounts state she died there while giving birth to her fourteenth child. She remained buried at this location for six months before being moved elsewhere. The original grave known as the Aahukhana now sits in disrepair. One ceiling painting depicts a monument said to have inspired the Taj Mahal. Plans to build the final resting place in Burhanpur were cancelled due to a lack of white marble.
The Maratha Peshwa Bajirao took control of the town during an expedition to Malwa in the 1720s. Sadashivrao Bhau led a Maratha army that defeated the Nizam of Hyderabad and seized power in the 1750s. Power shifted among various leaders including Holkar and Scindia after the empire fell. In 1818, the Marathas finally handed the city over to the British administration. This transition marked the end of local dynastic rule and began colonial governance. The population demographics recorded in 2011 show distinct gender ratios within the municipal limits.
Burhanpur serves as the largest hub for the power loom industry in Madhya Pradesh today. Several textile companies produce interlining cloths, Grey Markin, and Bleached Dhoti fabrics here. The National Textile Corporation maintains one project within the city boundaries. Cotton mills and oil mills operate alongside the numerous power loom units. Urdu remains the most commonly spoken language among the residents. Hindi and Marathi are also prominent languages used by the diverse population.
Asa Ahir of the Ahir dynasty built Asirgarh Fort on a great height with strong outer walls. The fort sits along the Burhanpur-Khandwa Highway and remains difficult to win even now. Jama Masjid features two large minarets and three round cupolas in its central location. Construction started under Farooqi rule but continued after Adil Shah's demise until Akbar completed it. Dargah-e-Hakimi includes gardens and accommodation facilities for pilgrims visiting Sayyedi Abdul Qadir Hakimuddin. A tomb of black stone stands near the Utavali River honoring Shah Nawaz Khan.
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Common questions
When was Burhanpur founded and who named it?
Malik Nasir Khan discovered the settlement in 1388 and named it Burhanpur after the medieval Sufi saint Burhan-ud-Din. The Faruqi dynasty made this place their capital shortly after its founding.
Why did Shah Jahan spend time in Burhanpur during July 1630?
Shah Jahan spent considerable time here while hunting wild Asiatic lions in July 1630. Historical accounts state that his wife Mumtaz Mahal died there while giving birth to her fourteenth child.
What happened to the original grave of Mumtaz Mahal in Burhanpur?
She remained buried at this location for six months before being moved elsewhere. The original grave known as the Aahukhana now sits in disrepair due to cancelled plans to build a final resting place from white marble.
How did British administration take control of Burhanpur in 1818?
The Marathas finally handed the city over to the British administration in 1818. This transition marked the end of local dynastic rule and began colonial governance.
Which industries operate within the municipal limits of Burhanpur today?
Burhanpur serves as the largest hub for the power loom industry in Madhya Pradesh today. Cotton mills, oil mills, and textile companies produce interlining cloths, Grey Markin, and Bleached Dhoti fabrics here.