Morar
This article has been extracted from THE IMPERIAL GAZETTEER OF INDIA , 1908. OXFORD, AT THE CLARENDON PRESS. |
Note: National, provincial and district boundaries have changed considerably since 1908. Typically, old states, ‘divisions’ and districts have been broken into smaller units, and many tahsils upgraded to districts. Some units have since been renamed. Therefore, this article is being posted mainly for its historical value.
Morar
{Murar). — Cantonment in the Gwalior State, Central India, situated in 26 14' N. and 78° 14' E., 2 miles from the Morar Road station on the Great Indian Peninsula Railway, and on the banks of the Morar river, a small stream tributary to the Vaisali. Population (1901), 19,179. In former days the waters of the river were dammed up so as to form a considerable lake, which was noted for the species of fish known as the Barilius inoranusis which abounded in it. The town lies 4 miles from Lashkar city, with which it is connected b)- a broad road. The station is laid out on the usual plan, but is remarkable for the numerous fine avenues of large trees which line the roads. The substantial stone barracks built in 1870 for the British troops are now occupied by the State regiments, the officers' bungalows being used by European and native officials in the State service.
Morar was founded in 1844 as a cantonment fur the Gwalior Con- tingent, the brigadier in command and a force of all three arms being stationed here. In 1857 the most serious rising in Central India took place at this station. Signs of disaffection among the men of the Contingent were early discernible ; and on June 14 the troops mutinied, and killed six officers, the clergyman, and several other Europeans.
The rest escaped to Agra with the assistance of the Maharaja. On May 30, 1 85 8, Morar was occupied by the troops of Tantia Topi, the Nawab of Banda, and the Rani of Jhansi, who forced Sindhia to vacate Lashkar and retreat to Agra. On june Sir Hugh Rose drove Tantia Topi out of Morar, and on the 20th reinstated Sindhia in his capital, Morar remained a British cantonment, garrioned by a mixed force of British and Native troops, till 1886, when it was handed over to Gwahor in connexion with the exchanges of territory which took place then. The State troops now occupying the cantonment are a regiment of Imperial Service Cavalry, the Imperial Service Transport Corps, three batteries, and two infantry regiments. Morar has of late years become a considerable trading centre, especially for grain, the local dues being lighter than those obtaining in Lashkar. Impetus has been given to the tanning industry by the establishment of the State leather factory in the cantonment. The town contains a European church, a State post office, a school for boys and another for girls, and two hospitals, one military and the other civil, and four large European cemeteries. Just beyond the cantonment limits is the Alijah Club for European residents.
