![]() Origin of name of Betul Betul district derives its name from the small town of Betul Bazar about 5Km which is located south of Badnur, the Headquarters of Betul district. History of Betul According to history, Betul was the center of Gond kingdoms. In 1398, these kingdoms engrossed all the hills of Gondwana and adjacent countries. In 1418, Sultan Hoshang Shah of Malwa invaded Kherla, and reduced it to a dependency. After nine years the raja rebelled to assert his independence, he was finally subdued and deprived of his territories. In 1467 Kherla was seized by the Bahmani sultan but was afterwards restored to Malwa. After a century Malwa was incorporated into the dominions of the emperor of Delhi. In 1743 Raghoji Bhonsle the Maratha ruler of Berar, annexed it to his dominions. In 1818, the Marathas ceded this district to the East India Company as payment for a contingent. By the treaty of 1826 it was formally incorporated into the British possessions. The district was then administered as part of the Saugor and Nerbudda Territories. Betul District was part of the province's Nerbudda Division. Detachments of British troops were stationed at Multai, Betul and Shahpur to cut off the retreat of Appa Sahib, the Maratha general, and a military force was quartered at Betul until June 1862. Demography of Betul As per the 2001 census, the population of Betul was 13,95,175. Density of the population is 138/km². The didtrict is rich with tribal people. The tribal population of the district accounts to 5,49,907. Main tribes who inhabit the district are Gonds and Korkus. The other castes are include Rajputs, Kurmis, Kunbis, Bhoyars, Mehras, Chamars and Banias. Flora of Betul The main timber species of Betul forest is Teak. The other trees found in abundance are Haldu, Saja, Dhaoda etc. There are also many medicinal plants in the district. The minor forest produce of commercial importance are Tendu leaves, Chironji, Harra and Amla. |