History

Ujjain is situated on the right bank of the holy river Kshipra, the eternal city-Ujjaiyini has been narrated as the naval center (Manipura lotus) of the cultural identity of Indian nation. It ranks among those seven ancient Puris of India which are regarded as the bestower of deliverance (moksha). The meridian of the ancient world named Yamottara was supposed to pass through place. It has been severally named in ancient texts. Some such names being Avantika, Ujjain, Pratikalpa, Kanakasrnga, Amaravati, Shivapuri, Chudamani, Kumudvati etc. Avantika has been the city of many Tirthas, where pilgrims take bath, grant endowments for religious purposes, and offer tarpan to and perform sraddha for the departed ancestors. Such Tirthas have been situated at the banks of the Kshipra and its tributaries, Sapta Sagaras (seven lakes), Tadagas (tanks), Kundas and Vapis (wells).

The poet-laureat Kalidasa has called it the great Visala while the ancient solo- dramas (Bhanas) narrate it as cosmopolitan (Sarvabhauma) city. Saints, seers and scientists viz., Sandipani, Mahakatyayana, Bhasa, Bharttrhari. Nine gems in the court of king Vikramaditya including Kalidasa, Amarasimha-Varahamihira, Paramartha, Sudraka, Banabhatta, Mayura, Rajasekhara, Puspadanta, Harisena, Samkaracharya, Vallabhacharya, Jadrupa etc, had been closely inter-related with Ujjain. It has been elevated by the exclusive affinity of great political personalities such as Krsna Balarama, Chanda Pradyota, Udayana- the king of Vatsa, Mauryan governor Ashoka, emperor Samprati, warrior king Vikramaditya, Mahaksatrapa Chastana and Rudradaman, Paramara rulers Munjaraja-Bhojadeva and Udayaditya, Mughal governor Sawai Jaya Simha- king of Amer, Mahadaji Scindhia etc. Ujjain had been the resting-abode of Mughal emperors Akbar, Jahangir and Shahjahan.

Today

Ujjain is one of the holy cities of India. Situated on the bank of the river Kshipra in Madhya Pradesh, the only river that travels straight connecting South and North, Ujjain reflects distinct character of socio-religious cultural ethos. It is situated at a unique geographical location from where tropic of cancer passes which also represents the ‘Mean Time ‘ of India for Panchanga- India’s traditional calendar.

If we talk about the climatic condition of Ujjain, it experiences a warm sub-tropical climate, typical of the interior Indian subcontinent. Summer starts in late March with temperatures rising to 45°C at its peak in May.The monsoon arrives in the middle of June and continues till early October.

Moving towards the economic context, Ujjain is an important religious, educational and cultural centre and a destination for millions of Hindu pilgrims. Apart from the regular visitors, once every 12 years there is a flood of devotees to the city for KumbhaMela. Ujjain has assumed the character of an industrial city since 1891 when the first textile mill (the Nazal Ali Mill) was established. A considerable proportion of the city’s workforce is engaged in these establishments, whereas a large proportion of population is involved in trade and commerce. Demographically the sex ratio of Ujjain city is 942 females per 1,000 males. Ujjain has grown denser from 2001 when population density was 4644 and in 2011 it is 5559. Being a place of religious Ujjain attracts good number of people from economically weaker sections from outside in want of employment.

Ujjain Governance
Ujjain district consists of 6 Tehsils, Ujjain, Ghaitya, Mahidpur, Tarana, Bagmagar, Khachrod and Nagda. Number of Blocks in the district is 6. There are total 611 Panchayats and 1101 villages in these 6 blocks, in urban areas 1 Nagar Palik Nigam , 9 Nagar Panchayat . Rojadi is one of them which are the first village in which every house has power cable direct to the transformer. At present, after the delimitation of parliamentary and legislative assembly constituencies, there are 7 Vidhan Sabha (State Legislation) constituencies in district

  1. Ujjain (North)
  2. Ujjain (South)
  3. Khachrod-Ngda
  4. Mahidpur
  5. Tarana
  6. Ghatiya
  7. Badnagar