The Sagar district is in the north-central part of Madhya Pradesh. During the British era, it was called Saugar. It is located between 23 degrees 10 minutes and 24 degrees 27 minutes north latitude and between 78 degrees 4 minutes and 79 degrees 21 minutes east longitude. This places the district right in the middle of India. The Tropic of Cancer crosses through the district’s southern part.
The name “Sagar” comes from the Hindi word for lake or sea, likely because of the big and beautiful lake around which the town of Sagar was built. Udan Singh founded Sagar in 1660, and it became a municipality in 1867. The town is a major center for road and agricultural trade and has industries like oil and flour milling, saw-milling, ghee processing, handloom cotton weaving, bidi making, and railway and engineering works. It is famous throughout India for Dr. Harisingh Gaur University, its Army Cantonment, and recently for Bhagyodyay Tirth, a charitable hospital named after Jain Sant Shri VidyaSagarji Maharaj. It also hosts one of the only two Police Training Colleges in Madhya Pradesh, the other being in Indore, and is the headquarters of the Forensic Science Lab.
The Sagar district is mainly flat with some low, forested hills and is watered by the Sonar river. Wheat, chickpeas, sorghum, and oilseeds are the main crops here, and there is a lot of cattle raising. The area mines sandstone, limestone, iron ore, and asbestos. Near Sagar, the archaeological site of Eran has shown several inscriptions from the Gupta period. Most of the district’s population belongs to the Scheduled Caste/Backward classes, making up about 75% of it. There is also a significant number of tribals, known as Rajgonds, named after their kingdom.
Sagar boasts a well-established connection to nearby peripheries, facilitating easy access to several important cities and towns. These include:
- Damoh
- Banda
- Chhatarpur
- Deori
- Bhopal
- Indore
- Jhansi
- Lalitpur
The city accommodates travelers and residents with three bus stands: the Main Bus Stand, Rahathgarh Bus Stand, and Jhansi Bus Stand, ensuring convenient transportation options.
Sagar is home to the revered Pravgu Devi, holding a significant place in the hearts of the locals.
Educational institutions play a vital role in the city’s landscape, with notable schools such as Vatsalya School situated on the major road, Central School 1, Central School 2, Vaisala Senior Secondary School, and Deepak Memorial School. The city also hosts the Delhi Public School in the Makroniya area, dedicated to military personnel’s families.
When it comes to hospitality, Sagar does not fall short. Important hotels include Manjit Hotel in Makroniya, Akash Fast Food near the bus stand, Paradise, Deepali Hotel, and Vandana Hotel, offering comfort and convenience to visitors.
For shopping enthusiasts, Sagar presents famous shops like Lal Dukana, a medical store, and Chiranjilal Wale, renowned for its delicious Chironji sweets.
The city’s railway station, with dedicated trains connecting to all directions, integrates Sagar well with popular cities in the periphery. It has the advantage of being located on the Khajuraho Road, connecting Chhatarpur and Banda, enhancing its strategic importance.
Sagar’s inclusion in the Smart City list marks its progression into modernity, promising advanced urban development in the coming years.
Moreover, the city’s infrastructure includes well-developed bridges for traffic diversion, contributing to its efficient transportation network.
Popular food spots throughout the city offer a glimpse into the local culinary scene, making Sagar a hub of cultural and social activity.
