Sheopur district is an administrative district located in the Chambal division of the state of Madhya Pradesh in central India. The town of Sheopur serves as the district headquarters. The district lies in the north-western part of Madhya Pradesh and shares borders with the state of Rajasthan.
Key facts
| Country | India |
|---|---|
| State | Madhya Pradesh |
| Division | Chambal |
| Headquarters | Sheopur |
| Type | District |
Geography
Sheopur district lies on the western edge of Madhya Pradesh, bounded by parts of Rajasthan, including districts in the Kota and Sawai Madhopur regions, to the west and north. To the east and south it is bordered by other districts of Madhya Pradesh, including Morena and Shivpuri. The terrain is characterised by forested tracts, ravines associated with the Chambal river system, and tributaries such as the Kuno and Parvati rivers. The district is part of the broader Chambal river basin.
Kuno National Park
A significant portion of the district is occupied by the Kuno National Park, which lies within the Vindhyan hill ranges and the Kuno river basin. The protected area was originally developed as a wildlife sanctuary and was later upgraded to a national park. It became internationally prominent as the site selected for the reintroduction of the cheetah to India under Project Cheetah, with cheetahs translocated from Namibia and South Africa being released into the park beginning in 2022.
Administration
The district is administered by a District Collector and Magistrate, with law and order overseen by a Superintendent of Police. For administrative purposes, the district is divided into tehsils and development blocks, and it is part of the Chambal revenue division of Madhya Pradesh, headquartered at Morena.
History
The Sheopur region has a long history associated with princely states and feudatory holdings in central India. Prior to the reorganisation of states, the area formed part of various princely territories in the Gwalior and Kota regions. After Indian independence and the formation of Madhya Bharat, and subsequently Madhya Pradesh in 1956, Sheopur was administered as a tehsil of Morena district. Sheopur was carved out as a separate district in 1998.
Economy and society
The economy of Sheopur district is predominantly agrarian, with cultivation of crops such as soybean, wheat, mustard and pulses. Forests cover a substantial portion of the district and contribute to livelihoods through minor forest produce. The district has a notable tribal population, including communities such as the Sahariya, who are recognised as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG).
Transport
Sheopur is connected by road to other parts of Madhya Pradesh and to neighbouring Rajasthan. It is historically known for the Sheopur–Gwalior narrow gauge railway line, one of the longest narrow gauge lines in India, which has been undergoing conversion to broad gauge as part of railway modernisation.
Related topics
- Madhya Pradesh
- Chambal division
- Kuno National Park
- Project Cheetah
- Morena district
- Sahariya people
- Chambal River
References
- Wikidata: Q620105
- Government of Madhya Pradesh, official district portal of Sheopur.