Rithi is a town and nagar panchayat in the Katni district of the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. It serves as the administrative headquarters of Rithi tehsil, one of the revenue subdivisions within the district.
| Country | India |
|---|---|
| State | Madhya Pradesh |
| District | Katni |
| Type | Town / Nagar Panchayat |
| Administrative role | Tehsil headquarters |
| Language | Hindi (Bagheli is widely spoken) |
Rithi is located in the northern part of Katni district, in the Vindhyan upland region of Madhya Pradesh. The terrain in and around the town is broadly characterised by mixed agricultural land and patches of forest typical of the Bundelkhand–Baghelkhand transition zone. Katni, the district headquarters, lies to the south of Rithi.
As a tehsil headquarters, Rithi hosts offices connected with land records, revenue administration and local governance for the surrounding villages. Civic functions within the town are carried out by the nagar panchayat. Katni district itself was carved out of Jabalpur district in 1998, and Rithi falls under its jurisdiction.
The local economy is predominantly agrarian, with cultivation of wheat, paddy, pulses and oilseeds in the surrounding villages. Small-scale trade, retail and services associated with a tehsil town form the main non-agricultural activity. The wider Katni region is known for limestone, dolomite and bauxite mining, and for cement and refractory industries based around Katni city.
Rithi is connected by road to Katni and to nearby towns within the district. The nearest major railway junction is at Katni, which lies on the West Central Railway network and is an important node linking Mumbai, Howrah, Allahabad (Prayagraj) and Bilaspur routes.
Hindi is the official language, while Bagheli, a regional dialect, is widely used in everyday speech. The population is a mix of Hindu and Muslim communities, along with Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe groups common to the Baghelkhand region.