Mauganj

The history of Mauganj dates back to the eleventh century starting with the advent of the Sengar clan of Rajputs into this fertile region located in North-Eastern Madhya Pradesh. It was previously known was 'Mau Raj' under the rule of the Sengar kings who settled down in the region and laid construction of forts in Mauganj, Mangawan and Bicchrahta.[2]

The Sengar arrived in the region from Jalaun and ruled this little kingdom and famously defended it from the Kalachuris. However, at some point in fourteenth century, the Baghelas invaded Mau Raj. They defeated the Sengars in the battle of Mau and destroyed their fort and ultimately annexed it to the kingdom of Bagelkhand. The scions of Sengars later eloped and constructed a new fortress and named it Nai Garhi which literally means 'a new fortress'.[3]

Mauganj is located at 24.68°N 81.88°E / 24.68; 81.88.[4] It has an average elevation of 313 metres (1,026 feet). Mauganj is 65 km from Rewa, and villages Ghurehata, Panni, Dhera, Barahata, Pakara Pande, Khatkhri, Padar, and Nandanpur.

Some sites of religious significance around Mauganj are:

• Mahadev Temple in Devatalab (17 km from Mauganj)
• Shree Hanuman Temple, Deodhara (16 KM W-S of Mauganj)
• Asht Bhuji temple
• Hanuman Mandir, Gytri Mandir, Ram janki mandir and Alopan Mandir

As of 2001 India census,[5] Mauganj had a population of 22,989. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Mauganj has an average literacy rate of 52%, lower than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 63%, and female literacy is 41%. In Mauganj, 18% of the population is under 6 years of age.