>Kaltenmeyer: MOS:SIC Insignificant spelling and typographic errors should simply be silently corrected, typo(s) fixed: Chairman → chairman, hand to hand → hand-to-hand, Governer → Governor

2021-06-30T00:46:29Z

MOS:SIC Insignificant spelling and typographic errors should simply be silently corrected, typo(s) fixed: Chairman → chairman, hand to hand → hand-to-hand, Governer → Governor

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{{More citations needed|date=April 2015}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Bundelkhand
| native_name = [[Chandelas of Jejakabhukti|Jejakabhukti]]
| native_name_lang =
| settlement_type = [[Historical region]] [[Proposed states and territories of India|Proposed state]]
| image_skyline = OrchhaPalace.jpg
| image_alt =
| image_caption = [[Jahangir Mahal]], [[Orchha]]
| image_map =
| map_alt =
| map_caption = Location of Bundelkhand in India
| pushpin_map =
| pushpin_label_position =
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption =
| coordinates = {{coord|25.44|78.57|display=inline,title}}
| coor_pinpoint =
| coordinates_footnotes =
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{Flag|India}}
| area_footnotes =
| area_total_km2 = 70,747
| area_land_km2 =
| area_water_km2 =
| area_water_percent =
| area_note =
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m = 250-300
| population_footnotes =
| population_total = 18,335,044
| population_as_of = 2011
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_demonym = Bundelkhandi/Bundeli
| population_note =
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +05:30
| timezone1_DST = +05:30
| utc_offset1_DST =
| demographics_type1 = Languages
| demographics1_title1 = Major languages
| demographics1_info1 = [[Bundeli language|Bundeli]], [[Hindi]]
| blank1_name_sec1 = Historical [[Capital (political)|capitals]]
| blank1_info_sec1 = [[Khajuraho]], [[Mahoba]], [[Kalinjar]], [[Orchha]]
| blank2_name_sec1 = Separated states
| blank2_info_sec1 = [[Orchha]] (1501), [[Datia]], [[Panna, India|Panna]] (1732), [[Ajaigarh]] (1765), [[Bijawar]] (1765), [[Charkhari]], [[Samthar]], [[Sarila]], [[Gursarai]], [[Barua sagar]], [[Moth]], [[Chirgaon]]
| footnotes =
}}
'''Bundelkhand''' is a geographical and cultural [[List of regions in India|region]] and also a mountain range in central & North India. The hilly region is now divided between the states of [[Uttar Pradesh]] and [[Madhya Pradesh]], with the larger portion lying in the latter state.

[[Jhansi]] is the largest city in Bundelkhand and is a major cultural, educational, transport and economic hub.

Another major city of Bundelkhand is [[Sagar, Madhya Pradesh|Sagar]] being second largest city of Bundelkhand and headquarter of [[Sagar Division]].

Other towns are [[Konch]], [[Kalpi]], [[Chirgaon]], [[Datia]], [[Dabra]], [[Mauranipur]], [[Panna, India|Panna]], [[Banda, Uttar Pradesh|Banda]], [[Chitrakoot district|Chitrakoot]], [[Tikamgarh]], [[Rath, India|Rath]], [[Lalitpur, India|Lalitpur]], [[Damoh]], [[Jalaun]], [[Orai]], [[Hamirpur, Uttar Pradesh|Hamirpur]], [[Mahoba]], [[Banda district (India)|Banda]], [[Maudaha]], [[Ashoknagar (Madhya Pradesh)|Ashoknagar]], [[kalinjar]], [[Chhatarpur]] and [[Gwalior]]

Among the well-known places of Bundelkhand is [[Khajuraho Group of Monuments|Khajuraho]], which has numerous 10th-century sculptures devoted to fine living and eroticism. The mines of Panna have been the source of magnificent diamonds; a very large one dug from the last active mine was kept for a time in the fort of [[Kalinjar]].

== Etymology ==

Bundelkhand means "[[Bundela]] domain".<ref>{{cite book |first=Ravindra K. |last=Jain |title=Between History and Legend: Status and Power in Bundelkhand |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fghQhiowlycC&pg=PA1 |year=2002 |publisher=Orient Blackswan |isbn=978-81-250-2194-0 |page=1 }}</ref> The region was earlier known as Jejabhukti or Jejakabhukti ("Jeja's province"). According to the inscriptions of the [[Chandela]] dynasty, this name derived from Jeja, the nickname of their ruler [[Jayashakti]]. However, it is possible that this name derives from an even earlier name of the region: "Jajhauti" or "Jijhoti" ([[Khangar (community)|khangar's]] capital). After the Bundelas replaced the Chandelas around 14th century, the region came to be known as Bundelkhand after them.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=irHN2UA_Z7gC&pg=PA1 |title=The Early Rulers of Khajurāho |first=Sisirkumar |last=Mitra |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass |year=1977 |isbn=9788120819979 |pages=1–4 }}</ref>

==Geography==
Bundelkhand lies between the [[Indo-Gangetic Plain]] to the north and the [[Vindhya Range]] to the south. It is a gently sloping upland, distinguished by barren hilly terrain with sparse vegetation, although it was historically forested. The plains of Bundelkhand are intersected by three mountain ranges, the [[Vindhya Range|Vindhya]], [[Fauna Range|Fauna]] and [[Bander]] chains, the highest elevation not exceeding 600 meters above sea-level. Beyond these ranges the country is further diversified by isolated hills rising abruptly from a common level, and presenting from their steep and nearly inaccessible scarps eligible sites for forts and strongholds of local kings. The general slope of the country is towards the northeast, as indicated by the course of the rivers which traverse or bound the territory, and finally discharge themselves into the [[Yamuna River]].

[[File:Bundelkhand region.png|thumb|Map showing the Bundelkhand region with major cities and rivers.]]

The principal rivers are the [[Sindh River|Sindh]], [[Betwa River|Betwa]], [[Shahzad River]], [[Ken River|Ken]], [[Bagahin River|Bagahin]], [[Tamsa River|Tons]] [[Pahuj River|Pahuj]], [[Dhasan River|Dhasan]] and [[Chambal River|Chambal]]. [[Kali Sindh River|The Kali Sindh]], rising in [[Malwa]], marks the western frontier of Bundelkhand. Parallel to this river, but further east, is the course of the Betwa. Still farther to the east flows the Ken, followed in succession by the Bagahin and Tons (also known as [[Tamsa River|Tamsa]]). The [[Yamuna]] and the Ken are the only two navigable rivers. Notwithstanding the large number of streams, the depression of their channels and height of their banks render them for the most part unsuitable for the purposes of irrigation, which is conducted by means of ponds and tanks. These artificial lakes are usually formed by throwing embankments across the lower extremities of valleys, and thus arresting and impounding the waters flowing through them.

===Ecology===
Since 2007, Bundelkhand region has been facing severe drought problems. Normal rainy days in Bundelkhand is 52 days (metrological department of India) but last six years its restricted 24 days. Timing of Monsoon usually in this area is second week of June but, Year 2008 this season saw rains, but in the second week of June alone the region received around 32 percent of its total rainfall. Farmers were not prepared for sowing. Then till July 2008, most of the Bundelkhand region received around 55 percent of its total average rainfall. This change caused floods and widespread losses in livestock and top soil.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mediaforrights.org/environment/1002-environment|title=Environment|first=Super|last=User|website=mediaforrights.org}}</ref> In Bundelkhand region, average level of rainfall is 800–900 mm. (Ramesh et al. 2002), But, during the last six years Bundelkhand received only 400–450 mm annual rainfall. Agriculture production also decreased in this areas. In 2000, this region used to contribute 15 percent of the state's total food grain production, which has now come down to 7 percent. A once food secure zone has now become a symbol of insecurity and migration due to climate change. In this area various livelihoods such as fishing, vegetable production and traditional betel leaf farming are facing one of the worst crises ever.

==History==

===Medieval Period & Maratha Rule===
{{Unreferenced section|date=June 2021}}
After [[khangar]] dynasty the [[Chandela]] clan ruled Bundelkhand from the 9th to the 16th centuries. In the early 14th century they were feudatories of the [[Pratihara]]s of [[Kannauj]], and ruled from the fortress-city of [[Kalinjar]]. A dynastic struggle among the Pratiharas allowed the Chandelas and other feudatories to assert their independence. The Chandelas captured the strategic fortress of [[Gwalior]]. 10th century ruler [[Dhanga]] left many inscriptions, and endowed a large number of [[Jain]] and [[Hindu]] temples. Dhanga's grandson Vidyadhara expanded the Chandela kingdom to its greatest extent, extending the Chandela dominions to the [[Chambal River]] in the northwest and south to the [[Narmada River]]. The [[Afghanistan|Afghan]] king [[Mahmud of Ghazni]] attacked the Chandela dominions during Vidyadhara's reign, but were repelled by the Chandela Rajputs. The Chandelas built the famous temple-city of [[Khajuraho]] between the mid-10th and mid-11th centuries. During the Chandela period, Bundelkhand was home to a flourishing [[Jain]] community and numerous Jain temples were built in that period.

In the 12th century, the Rajput [[Chauhan]] rulers of [[Ajmer]] challenged the Chandelas. The Muslim conquests of the early 13th century reduced the Chandela domains, although they survived until the 16th century as minor chieftains. [[Bundela]] Rajputs grew to prominence starting in the 16th century. Orchha was founded in the 16th century by the Bundela chief [[Rudra Pratap Singh]], who became the first [[raja]] of Orchha. In 1545, [[Sher Shah Suri]] was killed while attempting to capture [[Kalinjar Fort]] from the local Bharshiva king.

The region came under [[Mughal Empire|Mughal]] rule from the 15th to 17th centuries, although the hilly, forested terrain of the sparsely populated region made it difficult to control. [[Akbar]]'s governors at [[Kalpi]], [[Jhansi]], [[Allahabad]] maintained authority over the surrounding districts, and the Bundela chiefs were in a state of chronic revolt, which culminated in the war of independence under [[Maharaja Chhatrasal|Chhatrasal]]. On the outbreak of his rebellion in 1671 he occupied a large province to the south of the Yamuna and eventually Mughals were forced to settle his claim over this newly won territory. Soon infighting spread in between Bundela Chiefs and Mughals seized this as an opportunity to ascertain their claim over this area again. The famous Mughal Governor Bangash Khan set out from Allahabad to capture Maharaj Chatrasal. One by one forts fell down and Maharaja Chatrasal was cornered in Jaitpura. After 6 months of fighting, he sends out a message to Peshwa Bajirao for help, which he equally responded. The Marathas contested severely and defeated Bangesh Khan in the pitched battle of Jaitpur and Mahoba. On his death in 1732, he bequeathed one-third of his dominions, including [[Jalaun]], [[Jhansi]] and [[Banda, Uttar Pradesh|Banda]] domains to Peshwa allies, who in due time succeeded in controlling the whole of Bundelkhand, with the local rulers as tributaries to the Marathas. Under Peshwa Rule, the Bundelkhand was divided into 11 personal subas of him and his families and relatives were posted in Kalpi, Shivpuri, Charkhari, Jalon, Mahoba, Jahnsi, Banda, Karwi, Kalinjar, Mathondh & Sagar. Peace and tranquility prevailed and the masses were at large saved from the tyranny of Mughals. However, the Peshwa - Bundela tussle continued by the fact that Bundelas always considered Peshwas entry into Bundelkhand as illegal. From 1732 to 1785, Maratha forces were the masters of India and people of Bundelkhand formed the much revreained Peshwa Huzurat battalions of Maratahs. They fought in Punjab, Attock, Peshawar, Kashmir & Bengal. In 1761 Battle Of Panipath, Bundelkhand lost around 6 thousand soldiers in direct hand-to-hand combat battle with Durranies, yet they were able to push Rohillas out of India. 1785 - 1787 was a period of resurgence in Bundela power, but was resisted by Ali Bahadur of Banda. He warred with the Bundelas and was successful in saving his dominions from them. The power center of Bundelkhand shifted from Jhansi to Banda and Ali bahadur declared himself Nawab of Banda. He is also called the " Conqueror of Bundelkhand " and was associated with both Peshwa & Bundela royalty by blood lines. After the fall of Pune in 1802, the East India Company signed the Treaty Of Bassein and Peshwas were granted a sanad in Bithoor. Bundelkhand was placed under newly created BUNDELKHAND AGENCY which signed separate treaties with 11 Peshwa Subas & Bundela states.

===British rule, 1802–1947===
{{main|Bundelkhand Agency}}
The [[Marathas]] ceded parts of Bundelkhand, which were later called '''British Bundelkhand''', to the [[British India|British]] in the 1802 [[Treaty of Bassein (1802)|Treaty of Bassein]]. After 1802, many of the local rulers were granted {{transl|hi|sanads}} (leases) by the British, which entitled them to the lands they controlled at the death of Ali Bahadur, in return for the rulers signing a written bond of allegiance ({{transl|hi|ikrarnama}}) to the British. A political officer attached to the British forces in Bundelkhand supervised British relations with the '{{transl|hi|sanad}} states. In 1806 British protection was promised to the [[Maratha Confederacy|Maratha ruler]] of Jhansi, and in 1817 the British recognised his hereditary rights to Jhansi state. In 1818 the [[Peshwa]] in [[Pune]] ceded all his rights over Bundelkhand to the British at the conclusion of the [[Third Anglo-Maratha War]].

In February 1832, a terrible state of famine here was reported in the [[Samachar Darpan]], and this is reflected on in [[Letitia Elizabeth Landon]]'s harrowing poem, ''Scene in Bundelkhund'', published towards the end on that year. 
{{ws|[[s:Letitia Elizabeth Landon (L. E. L.) in Fisher's Drawing Room Scrap Book, 1835/Scene in Bundelkhund|Scene in Bundelkhund, a poem by L. E. L.]]}}

The {{transl|hi|sanad}} states were organised into the '''Bundelkhand Agency''' in 1811, when a political agent to the [[Governor-General of India]] was appointed and headquartered at [[Banda, Uttar Pradesh|Banda]] . In 1818 the headquarters were moved to [[Kalpi]], in 1824 to [[Hamirpur, Uttar Pradesh|Hamirpur]], and in 1832 back to Banda. The political agent was placed under the authority of the Lieutenant-Governor of the [[North-Western Provinces]], headquartered in Agra, in 1835. In 1849 authority over the Bundelkhand Agency was placed briefly under the Commissioner for the [[Saugor and Nerbudda Territories]], who appointed a political assistant based at [[Jhansi]]. Shortly thereafter, authority over Bundelkhand was placed under the [[Gwalior Residency|Resident at Gwalior]], and the headquarters of the political assistant was moved to [[Nowgong, Chhatarpur|Nowgong]], which remained until 1947. In 1853 the Raja of Jhansi died childless, and his territory was annexed to British Bundelkhand. The [[Jhansi State]] and the [[Jalaun District|Jalaun]] and [[Chanderi]] districts were then formed into a superintendency. In 1854 Bundelkhand Agency was placed under the authority of the newly created [[Central India Agency]], headquartered at [[Indore]].

The widow of the Raja of Jhansi, [[Rani Lakshmi Bai]], protested against the annexation because her adopted son was not recognised as the heir to his adoptive father, and because the slaughter of cattle was permitted in the Jhansi territory. The [[Revolt of 1857]] found Jhansi ripe for rebellion. In June a few brave men of the 12th native infantry seized the fort containing the treasure and magazine, and massacred the European officers of the garrison. The Rani put herself at the head of the rebels, and they captured several of the neighbouring British districts and princely states allied to the British. She died bravely in battle in [[Gwalior]] in 1858. It was not till November 1858 that Jhansi was brought under British control.

After the revolt, Jhansi was given to the Maharaja of [[Gwalior state|Gwalior]], but came under British rule in 1886 when it was swapped for Gwalior fort. In 1865 the political assistant was replaced with a political agent. The eastern portion of the Agency was detached to form [[Bagelkhand Agency]] in 1871. The state of [[Khaniadhana State|Khaniadhana]] was transferred to the authority of the Gwalior Resident in 1888, and in 1896 [[Baraundha]], [[Jaso State|Jaso]], and the [[Chaube Jagirs]] were transferred to Bagelkhand. In 1901 there were 9 states, 13 estates, and the [[pargana]] of [[Alampur, Madhya Pradesh|Alampur]] belonging to [[Indore State]], with a total area of {{convert|9851|sqmi|km2|abbr=on}} and a total population of 1,308,326 in 1901. The most important of the states were [[Orchha State|Orchha]], [[Panna State|Panna]], [[Samthar State|Samthar]], [[Charkhari State|Charkhari]], [[Chhatarpur State|Chhatarpur]], [[Datia State|Datia]], [[Bijawar State|Bijawar]] and [[Ajaigarh State]]. Deforestation accelerated during British rule. The population of the agency decreased 13% between 1891 and 1901 due to the effects of famine. In 1931 Bagelkhand Agency, with the exception of the state of [[Rewa State]], was merged into [[Bundelkhand Agency]].

===Independent India, 1947–present===
After Indian independence in 1947, the princely states of Bundelkhand Agency were combined with those of the former [[Bagelkhand]] Agency to form the province of [[Vindhya Pradesh]], which became an Indian [[states and territories of India|state]] in 1950. On 1 November 1956, Vindhya Pradesh was merged into Madhya Pradesh.

Notorious dacoits like Phulan Devi, Nirbhay Gujar, Devi singh and Moorath Singh besides other robber gangs once ruled the area.

==Proposed Bundelkhand state==

Bundelkhand comprises parts of [[Uttar Pradesh]] and [[Madhya Pradesh]]. While [[Bahujan Samaj Party]] government under [[Mayawati]] had proposed in 2011 creation of Bundelkhand from seven districts of [[Uttar Pradesh]], organizations such as [[Bundelkhand Akikrit Party]] (BAP) and [[Bundelkhand Mukti Morcha]] (BMM) want it to include six districts from [[Madhya Pradesh]] as well.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-1921363201.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150329163935/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-1921363201.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 March 2015 |title=Mayawati's proposal to divide Uttar Pradesh into four States goes far beyond disturbing the State's politics ahead of the elections |work=The Hindu |access-date=2019-07-04 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-1921363201.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150329163935/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-1921363201.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2015-03-29 |title=Mayawati-kind-of-Bundelkhand not acceptable: Bundela |via=Highbeam |access-date=2015-03-30}}</ref> [[Uma Bharati]] of [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] has promised separate state of Bundelkhand within three years if her party voted to power, during campaign for [[2014 Indian general election|Loksabha Election, 2014]] at [[Jhansi]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/politics/uma-bharti-promises-separate-bundelkhand-to-voters-in-jhansi/ |title=Uma Bharti promises separate Bundelkhand to voters in Jhansi |work=The Indian Express|date=2014-04-10 |access-date=2015-03-30}}</ref> Similar promise was made by Congress leader [[Pradeep Jain Aditya]] during [[2014 Indian general election|Loksabha Election, 2014]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.news18.com/videos/uttar-pradesh/ls-polls-pradeep-jain-aditya-uma-bharti-promise-separate-bundelkhand-state-401373.html |title=LS polls: Pradeep Jain Aditya, Uma Bharti promise separate Bundelkhand state |publisher=News18.com |access-date=2015-03-30}}</ref>

Since the early 1960s there has been a movement for establishing a Bundelkhand state or promoting development of the region. Bundelkhand is geographically the central part of India covering some part of Madhya Pradesh and some part of Uttar Pradesh. (At Sagar is the exact centre of the original undivided India: the granite bench mark by British surveyors indicating this is placed in the compound of a church in Sagar Cantonment.) In spite of being rich in minerals, the people of Bundelkhand are very poor and the region is underdeveloped and underrepresented in state and central politics. There are several local parties and organisations, some promoting further development of the region and some seeking statehood.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://daily.bhaskar.com/news/MP-BHO-demand-for-seperate-bundelkhand-reignited-ahead-of-assembly-polls-4226793-NOR.html |title=Demand for separate Bundelkhand reignited ahead of assembly polls separate |publisher=Daily.bhaskar.com |date=2013-04-05 |access-date=2015-03-30}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Atiq Khan |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/nod-for-telangana-fuels-the-demand-for-bundelkhand/article63277.ece |title=Nod for Telangana fuels the demand for Bundelkhand |work=The Hindu|date=2009-12-10 |access-date=2015-03-30}}</ref> The agrarian crisis and farmers' suicides are also cited as reasons for separate statehood.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.epw.in/states/farmers-suicides-and-statehood-demand-bundelkhand.html |title=Farmers' Suicides and Statehood Demand in Bundelkhand | Economic and Political Weekly |publisher=Epw.in |date=2011-07-09 |access-date=2015-03-30}}</ref>

;Uttar Pradesh
In November 2011 [[Uttar Pradesh]] Council of Ministers proposed to split the state into four parts, with one part being Bundelkhand.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/mayawati-wants-to-divide-up-into-4-states-other-parties-cornered-566270 |title=Mayawati wants to divide UP into 4 states, other parties cornered; NDTV |publisher=ndtv.com |date=2011-11-16 |access-date=2015-08-04}}</ref>
The proposed state includes the following districts:
[[File:UP region map.gif|250px|thumb|Regions of [[Uttar Pradesh]]; Bundelkhand is in light blue.]]
*From Uttar Pradesh (three districts from [[Jhansi Division]] and four districts from [[Chitrakoot Division]])
** [[Jhansi district|Jhansi]] (currently part of [[Jhansi Division]])
** [[Jalaun district|Jalaun]] (currently part of [[Jhansi Division]])
** [[Lalitpur district, Uttar Pradesh|Lalitpur]] (currently part of [[Jhansi Division]])
** [[Chitrakoot district|Chitrakoot]] (currently part of [[Chitrakoot Division]])
** [[Banda district (India)|Banda]] (currently part of [[Chitrakoot Division]])
** [[Hamirpur district, Uttar Pradesh|Hamirpur]] (currently part of [[Chitrakoot Division]])
** [[Mahoba district|Mahoba]] (currently part of [[Chitrakoot Division]])

;Madhya Pradesh
*From Madhya Pradesh (one district from [[Gwalior Division]] and six districts from [[Sagar Division]])
** [[Datia District|Datia]] (currently part of [[Gwalior Division]])
** [[Chhatarpur District|Chhatarpur]] (currently part of [[Sagar Division]])
** [[Damoh District|Damoh]] (currently part of [[Sagar Division]])
** [[Panna District|Panna]] (currently part of [[Sagar Division]])
** [[Sagar District|Sagar]] (currently part of [[Sagar Division]])
** [[Tikamgarh District|Tikamgarh]] (currently part of [[Sagar Division]])
** [[Vidisha District]] (Bhopal division)
** [[Guna District]] (Gwalior division)
** [[Ashoknagar District]] (Gwalior division)
The last three are linguistically and culturally considered to be Bundelkhand although they were ruled by the Scindia rulers.
In addition to the above districts, sometimes the following districts of Madhya Pradesh & Rajasthan are considered as being part of Bundelkhand:
*[[Madhya Bharat]]/[[Gird, India|Gird]] region
** [[Bhind district|Bhind]]
** [[Gwalior district|Gwalior]]
** [[Morena district|Morena]]
** [[Sheopur district|Sheopur]]
** [[Shivpuri district|Shivpuri]]
** [[Dhaulpur district|Dhaulpur]]

==Culture==
The [[Bundeli language]] is the most common of the [[Hindi dialects]] spoken in the area. It in turn consists of several sub-dialects. The accent varies in various regions even though unmistakably of a single origin.

The region is predominantly [[Hindu]]. However, [[Jainism]] is historically significant in Bundelkhand, and several [[Tirtha (Jainism)|Tirtha]]s are located in this region. Many prominent Jain scholars of the 20th century have been from this region and also in historically significant tradition of Buddhism. Nag people's ancestor were preached buddha-dhamma.

===Folk dances===

Bundelkhand has following folk dances. Badhai, Rai, Saira, Alha, Jawara, Akhada, Shaitan, Dhimrai.

===Radio===
A community radio station, Radio Bundelkhand, was launched in Orchha on 23 October 2008. It is an initiative of the [[Development Alternatives Group]]. The radio station broadcasts daily programs in the Bundeli dialect and devotes significant amount of its broadcast time to local issues, culture, education and the rich tradition of Bundeli folk music. The station is available on 90.4 MHz.

==Religion==

{{Pie chart| thumb = right
|label1=[[Hindu]]|value1=93.17|color1=Orange
|label2=[[Muslim]]|value2=5.58|color2=green
|label3=Others|value3=1.25|color3=grey
|caption=Religion in Bundelkhand (2011)<ref name="censusindia.gov.in">http://censusindia.gov.in/</ref>
}}

==Prominent Bundelkhandis==
*[[Goswami Tulsidas]], the author of [[Ramcharitmanas]], born in [[Rajapur, Uttar Pradesh|Rajapur]] [on the bank of river Yamuna, Chitrakoot district].
* [[Keshavdas]] (1555 – 1617), usually known by the mononym Keshavdas or Keshavadasa, was a Sanskrit scholar & Hindi poet
* [[Tatya Tope]], Freedom Fighter 1857 War
*[[Padmakar Bhatt]] , Poet
*[[Major Dhyanchand]]
*[[Jhalkari Bai]] (22 November 1830 – 1858) was an Indian [[Koli people|Koli]]<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7feHAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA119|title=Women Heroes and Dalit Assertion in North India: Culture, Identity and Politics|last=Narayan|first=Badri|date=2006-11-07|publisher=SAGE Publications India|isbn=9788132102809|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BvAxDwAAQBAJ&q=jhalkari+koli&pg=PT14|title=Our President: Ram Nath Kovind|last=Sharma|first=Ashok Kumar|date=2017-08-21|publisher=Diamond Pocket Books Pvt Ltd|isbn=9789352783953|language=en}}</ref> woman soldier who played an important role in the Indian Rebellion of 1857 during the battle of Jhansi.

[[File:Dhyanchand statue.jpg|thumb|Statue of Dhyan Chand on Sipri Hill]]
[[File:Rani Durgavati.jpg|thumb|Rani Durgavati maravi]]
*[[Chhatrasal]]
* [[Rani Avantibai]], (died 20 March 1858) [[Lodhi (caste)|Lodhi]] Queen of estate of [[Dindori, Madhya Pradesh|Ramgarh]], one of the key figures in the [[Indian Rebellion of 1857]]
* [[Rani Lakshmibai]], (1828–1858) [[Maratha]] Queen of princely state of [[Jhansi]], one of the key figures in the [[Indian Rebellion of 1857]].
* [[Raghunath Vinayak Dhulekar]] MCA & Member of Parliament 1952, MLC & Speaker Vidhan Parishad 1958, notable pleader, Social leader
* [[Mastani]] Second wife of Peshwa [[Bajirao I]], the prime minister. Daughter of [[Maharaja Chhatrasal]]<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://blogs.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/pulse/bajirao-mastani-and-the-history-of-bundelkhand/|title=Bajirao Mastani and the history of Bundelkhand|work=[[The Times of India]] Blog|access-date=2017-10-06|language=en-US}}</ref>
* [[Saumitra Rawat]], Surgeon, Chairman and Head, Surgical Gastroenterology and Liver Transplant, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi; Bundelkhand Gaurav Samman, 2015 Padma Shri
* [[Maithili Sharan Gupt]], National Hindi Poet
* Pandit [[Nathuram Premi]] (1881–1960), Prominent publisher of Hindi, Sanskrit and Urdu literature as well as Jain literature. Independent scholar, Jain historian and editor of several Jain works. Founder of [[Hindi Granth Ratnakar Karyalay]] (24 September 1912), Manikacandra Digambara Jain Granthamala and Jain Hitaishi.
*[[Phoolan Devi]], (1963–2001) popularly known as "Bandit Queen", was an Indian [[dacoit]] and later a politician.
*[[Uma Bharti]], Prominent BJP politician and the former MLA from Charkhari in UP's Bundelkhand region.
* [[Hari Singh Gour|Dr. Hari Singh Gaur]], Member of Constitution draft committee and founder of [[University of Sagar]]. The University of Sagar was later named the [[Dr. Hari Singh Gour University]] by the state government in 1983.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Vijayawada/university-of-saugar-alumniin-celebration-mode/article2237756.ece |title=University of Saugar alumniin celebration mode |work=The Hindu|date=18 July 2011 |access-date=2015-08-04}}</ref>
* [[Vrindavan Lal Verma]], Hindi novelist (Mrig Nayani, Jhansi Ki Rani)
* [[Indeevar]], one of the leading Hindi film lyricists in 1960s and 70s{{citation needed|date=April 2012}}
* Rani [[Durgavati]], Queen of Gondwana (born to [[Chandela]]s of [[Mahoba]] / [[Kalinjar]]) immortalised owing to her bravery in defending her kingdom against invasion by Mughal emperor [[Akbar]]
* [[Maharishi Mahesh Yogi]], of [[Transcendental Meditation]]
*[[Harishankar Parsai]] - He was a noted satirist and humorist of modern Hindi literature and is known for his simple and direct style.
*[[Rajneesh]] - He was mystic, philosopher, acknowledged to be enlightened being by many
*[[Raja Bundela]] - Raja Bundela (Raja Rajeshwar Pratap Singh Judev) is an Indian actor, producer, politician and civil activist.
* [[Pankaj Mishra]], Indian essayist and novelist
* [[Joy Mukherjee]], Indian actor and director
* [[Ram Mukherjee]], Indian director
* [[Sashadhar Mukherjee]], producer of Hindi films
* [[Subodh Mukherjee]], director, producer, writer of Hindi cinema.
* [[Subodh Khandekar]], Olympian hockey player
* [[Tushar Khandekar]], player on Indian national hockey team

==See also==
* [[Rajputana]]
* [[Jhalkari Bai]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{EB1911 poster|Bundelkhand}}
* [https://archive.today/20130414135107/http://www.dainet.org/livelihoods/checkdams4.htm Check dam project in Bundelkhand (Development Alternatives)]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080709063336/http://www.frontlineonnet.com/fl2405/stories/20070323000106600.htm ''Historic Blend'', Frontline, Volume 24 – Issue 05 :: 10–23 March 2007]
* James Foote Holcomb, Helen Harriet Howe Holcomb, ''In the Heart of India, or, beginnings of missionary work in Bundela Land, with a short chapter on the characteristics of Bundelkhand and its people, and four chapters of Jhansi history''. Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1905 [https://archive.org/details/heartofindia00holcuoft Text at archive.org]
* [http://www.thebetterindia.com/824/radio-bundelkhand-giving-voice-to-the-voiceless/ Radio Bundelkhand]

{{Historical regions of North India}}
{{Proposed states and territories of India}}
{{Jhansi division topics}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Bundelkhand| ]]
[[Category:Regions of Madhya Pradesh]]
[[Category:Regions of Uttar Pradesh]]
[[Category:Regions of India]]
[[Category:Proposed states and union territories of India]]

Bundelkhand - Revision history

Maryparker: further added article per standard format and updated info per sources

>Kaltenmeyer: MOS:SIC Insignificant spelling and typographic errors should simply be silently corrected, typo(s) fixed: Chairman → chairman, hand to hand → hand-to-hand, Governer → Governor