PLACES

ALLIPUR

Allipur, with 4,321 inhabitants as per the 1961 Census is a large village in Hinganghat tahsil situated 16 miles south-east of Wardha and five and a half miles from Sonegaon station with which it is connected by a good motorable road. It is also connected by road with Wardha and Hinganghat. Allipur means the ' village of god ' and is said to have been founded by a Muhammedan saint or Wali, because on this spot a hare which was being pursued by dogs turned against them and fought. He considered that a place where an ordinarily timid animal displayed such courage and bravery, should be a nursery of brave men and determined to found a settlement. This, however, cannot be regarded as an authentic story about the founding of this village. In the case of the establishment of Chanda, the headquarters of Chanda district, a similar story is related. The saint's tomb is still to be seen and close by it is a well, containing very sweet water. In November an urus attended by nearly 3,000 persons is held in honour of this saint. For long, Allipur was held by the Navabs of Ellichpur (Achalpur), who helped General Sir A. Wellesley in his operations immediately succeeding Assaye. For this reason the village was taken from him by the Nagpur Raja and conferred on the Chitnavis family of Nagpur. Allipur was formerly the tahsil headquarters but later it was moved to Hinganghat and remains so even today. There is a tank which was improved during the great famine of 1900 at a cost of Rs. 2,200. Allipur has an old temple dedicated to Mahadev and supported by public subscriptions, and a Namazgah or house of prayer for the Muhammedans which is said to be about 260 years old. Here a small Urus is held every year in the month of March. There are also the remains of an old gadhi or mud fort. Some hand-looms weaving cotton cloth have been installed. On Tuesdays is held the weekly market. Allipur has a high school, a post office, a dispensary and a veterinary sub-centre.

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