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Located at the precise geographical center of the Indian subcontinent, Nagpur is a city defined by its intersection of history and agriculture. It is most famously known as the "Orange City" due to its status as a premier trade hub for the high-quality citrus fruits grown in the surrounding Vidarbha region nagpur.gov.in. This central positioning is immortalized by the Zero Mile Stone, a sandstone monument erected by the British in 1907 to mark the point from which distances to major cities across the subcontinent were measured indiatimes.com.
Geographically, Nagpur is situated almost at the precise center of the Indian subcontinent britannica.com. This central positioning is not merely a point of pride but a functional advantage that has shaped its history as a trade and transportation nexus. The city is colloquially known by several titles: the "Orange City" due to its world-famous citrus production, the "Tiger Capital of India" because it serves as the primary gateway to major tiger reserves, and the "Zero Mile City" for its role in the Great Trigonometrical Survey nagpur.gov.in. For the modern traveler, Nagpur offers a sophisticated mix of historical exploration, religious pilgrimage, and access to some of the world's most pristine wildlife habitats youtube.com.
The recorded history of Nagpur begins in the early 18th century. The city was founded in 1702 by Bakht Buland Shah, a prince of the Gond kingdom of Deogarh squareyards.com. Bakht Buland Shah was an ambitious ruler who sought to modernize his kingdom by inviting artisans and cultivators from across the region to settle in the plains wikipedia.org. The city’s name is derived from the Nag River, which flows through the old town in a serpentine path—"Nag" meaning snake and "pur" meaning city nagpur.gov.in.
Following the Gonds, the Bhonsle dynasty of the Maratha Empire took control of the region in 1739. Raghoji I Bhonsle established Nagpur as the capital of his kingdom, significantly expanding its influence across central and eastern India, reaching as far as Odisha and Bengal grokipedia.com. Under the Bhonsles, Nagpur became a fortified city and a major economic powerhouse. This era left behind a legacy of architectural landmarks, including the various "wadas" or traditional mansions and temples that still dot the Mahal area of the old city sahapediaexperiences.org.
The British East India Company eventually annexed Nagpur in 1853 under the controversial Doctrine of Lapse after Raghoji III died without a natural heir wikipedia.org. Under British rule, Nagpur was designated the capital of the Central Provinces and Berar, reinforcing its administrative significance ournagpur.com. The arrival of the Great Indian Peninsula Railway in 1867 further catalyzed its growth as a trade center for cotton and oranges britannica.com.
Nagpur is synonymous with the "Nagpur Mandarin," a unique citrus variety known for its easy-to-peel skin and a distinct balance of sweetness and acidity ivolunteer.blog. The nickname "Orange City" is a tribute to the massive cultivation and trade that happens in and around the district. This industry reportedly accounts for a notable percentage of global orange production, and Nagpur serves as the primary distribution point for these fruits across India and international markets adda247.com.
The history of these oranges is deeply intertwined with the Bhonsle rulers, who recognized the potential of the region's fertile black soil and promoted orange farming in the 18th century eurokidsindia.com. In 2014, the Nagpur Mandarin was granted a Geographical Indication (GI) tag, legally protecting its status as a product unique to this specific region ivolunteer.blog.