Mandla

Mandla, town, eastern Madhya Pradesh state, central India. It lies at an elevation of 1,768 feet (539 metres) above sea level, on an upland plateau at a U-shaped bend in the Narmada River where it is joined by the Banjar River.

Mandla was formerly the capital of the Garh-Mandla Gond kingdom. More than 30 temples were built in the vicinity along the banks of the Narmada between 1680 and 1858. The Marathas, under Peshwa Baji Rao, captured the town in 1739. They built a wall with bastions and gates on the side facing the town. The British captured the dilapidated fort in 1818. Mandla was constituted a municipality in 1867.

Mandla is a road junction and rail spur terminus and is heavily engaged in agricultural trade. Sawmilling and the manufacture of hemp products and bell-metal vessels are also important. The town houses several colleges affiliated with Dr. Harisingh Gour University in Sagar. Pop. (2001) 45,922; (2011) 49,463.