About Morena District (Madhya Pradesh)
Morena district is a district of Madhya Pradesh state with its administrative headquarters located at Morena city. The district got its name Morena from a combination of two terms i.e. mor and raina means a place where peacock is enormously found. The Tonwarghar district of the earlier princely state of Gwalior formed most of the part of the today’s Morena district. In 1947 when India got its independence, all the earlier princely states came under the Government of India. At that time the present boundaries of the Morena district was formed which also included the princely state of Pahargarh in the south side of the district. Later, the district came under the newly formed Madhya Bharat state and on 1st November, 1956 it was again merged into Madhya Pradesh.
Paan Singh Tomar, an illustrious Indian soldier and athlete was born in 1932 at Bhind in the district. He was a seven-time national steeplechase champion in the 1950s and 1960s, and represented India at the 1958 Asian Games.
Geographically, the district lies at 26°50'N latitude, 77°99'E longitude and 177 m Altitude. In the year 2021, there was a total 15.27% forest area of total geographical area. The district encompasses a geographical area of 4,989 sq km. and in terms of geographical area it occupies the ranks of 34th in the state and 230th in India. It is bounded by Dholpur district of Rajasthan on the North West, Agra district of Uttar Pradesh on the North East, Gwalior district on the South, Bhind district on the East and Sheopur district on the South East. The climate of the district remains extremely hot during the summer. Most of its rainfall occurs in the monsoon season. The actual rainfall in the district was 804.5 mm in the year of 2021-22.
Administration wise, the district is divided into 4 sub-divisions namely Morena, Ambah, Joura and Sabalgarh. It comprises 6 tehsils include Morena, Ambah, Porsa, Joura, Sabalgarh and Kailaras. There are 1 Lok Sabha seat and 6 Assembly constituencies in the district. Moreover, the district comprises 6 sub-districts, 9 towns and 815 villages. The administrative language in the district is Hindi.
According to 2011 census the district has a population of 19,65,970 out of which 10,68,417 are males and 8,97,553 are females. The district has sex ratio of 840 females for every 1000 males. During the year 2001-2011 the population growth rate in the district was 23.44% including 22.23% were males and 24.90% were females. The population density in the district is 394 persons per sq. km. In the year 2020 the number of live births in the district was 41,724 out of which 22,558 were males and 19,166 were females. In the same year the number of deaths in the district was 11,711 out of which 7,769 were males and 3,942 were females. As per 2011 census the major religion in the district is Hindu with 95.40% of the total population. According to 2011 census the principal language in the district is Hindi with 99.87%.
Agriculture is the backbone of the economy of the district. The texture of the soil of the district is also favourable for agricultural production. The nearby canals present in the district are the principal source of irrigation in its agricultural fields. Most of the population in the district are engaged in agriculture in order to earn their livelihood. The chief agricultural products in the district are mustard, wheat, etc. The adoption of the new agricultural technologies amongst the farmers of the district helps to increase the production of various agricultural items. The district is scantily industrialised but it has a few industries namely J. K. Industries Ltd, Gwalior Milk Centre, Punj Lloyd Ltd., Phorcein Rubber Ltd, Consolidated Steel and Alloy Ltd., Sterling Malt and Food Pvt. Ltd, M. P. Cellulose Pvt. Ltd., Gwalior Steel Pvt. Ltd., etc. Every year a huge chunk of revenue comes from these industries helps in its economy to a great extent. In the year 2019-20 the gross domestic product in the district was Rs. 18,33,482 lakhs at current price and Rs. 11,08,343 lakhs at constant prices in the year 2011-2012. The net domestic product in the district during the period 2019-20 was Rs. 16,89,063 lakh at current price and Rs. 9,94,282 lakh at constant prices in the year 2011-2012. The Per Capita Income or NDDP, At Factor Cost during the period 2019-20 was Rs. 75,270 at current price and Rs. 44,308 at constant prices in the year 2011-2012.
The district is an abode of several reputed educational institutions. It provides a platform for higher education. Some of its recognised educational institutions are Govt. P.G. College, Govt. Girls College, G.L.S. College, Ambah P.G. College, Govt. Nehru College, Govt. College of Porsa, Govt. College of Joura, Acharya Narendra Dev College in Kailaras, Shiv Shankar College, Rishi Galav College. As per 2011 census the literacy rate in the district is 71.03% out of which 82.93% are males and 56.9% are females.
Ashok Argal, an eminent Indian politician and a member of 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th and 15th Lok Sahba was born at Sidhari Ka Pura village in the Morena district. He is a member of Bhartiya Janata Party.
The district has several centres of attraction which allures many travellers from different parts of the country as well as world. Kakan Math temple, built by Kirti Raj king is 115 ft. high and depicts the Kajurho style. His main purpose behind the construction of the temple was to fulfill the will of Queen named Kakanwati. Jain temples, located at Sihoniya village were built in 11th century A.D. In these temples have the idols of the Tirthankars such as Shantinath, Kunthnath, Arahanath, Adinath, Parshvnath and others. Kutwar, the biggest ancient village of the Chambal valley is just like Hastinapur, Rajgraha and Chadi of the Mahabharat period. Mitawali, situated in the north part of Naresar has a sixty four years old Yogini temple, located on the hundred feet high mountain. In the heart of the temple there is a circle shaped temple of Lord Shiva and Lord Anuranjan. Sabalgarh fort, one of the oldest mouments in the district was built in the Scindia period. Moreover, a long time back the foundation of Sabalgarh fort was laid by Sabla, a ‘Gujar’. But later it was constructed by Gopal Singh, the Raja of Karoli.