Sipra
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.
Sipra
River of Central India, also called Kshipra, or Avanti nadi, chiefly important for the sanctity attaching to it. The Sipra rises in Malwa, its nominal source being on the Kokri Bardi hill, 12 miles south-east of Indore near the small village of Ujeni (22° 31' N. and 76° E.), which gains importance from its connexion with the sacred stream. The river flows in a general north-westerly direction, taking, however, a very sinuous course, so that the road from Mhow to Mehid- pur crosses it three times within a distance of 26 miles. Most of its course lies over the broad rolling Malwa downs, between low banks, which admit of its waters being used for irrigation, but between Mehidpur and Alot it is hemmed in by high rocky banks. After flowing 54 miles from its source, it winds past the sacred city of Ujjain, with its many ghats and temples and the famous water palace of Kaliadeh, passing 30 miles farther north by the town of Mehidpur ; and after a total course of 120 miles through the territories of Indore, Dewas, and Gwalior, it finally enters the Chambal near Kalu-Kheri village at 23° 53' N. and 75° 31 E. Every mile of the river is marked by sacred spots, the reputed haunts of Rishis, or the scenes of miracu- lous incidents, around which a whole epic of tale and legend has grown up. The river itself is said to have sprung from the blood of Vishnu, and, as in Abul Fazl's day, is still believed to flow with milk at certain periods. The bed is throughout formed of hard basaltic trap, affording for the most part but a shallow channel to the stream, which rises in the rains to a considerable height, often causing much damage to neighbouring villages. In the hot season it ceases to flow entirely, though deep pools exist here and there throughout the year. The only affluents of importance are the Khan, which, rising about 7 miles south of Indore and flowing through the Residency and city, finally joins the Sipra at Gotra village ; and the Gambhfr, a large stream which joins it at Murla Mer, and is bridged by the Ujjain- Nagda line near Aslaoda and by the Rajputana-Malwa Railway near Fatehabad.
