Origin of the name
The name Mandsaur was originated from Marhsaur. Marhsaur further originated from Marh and Saur (or Dasaur). Marh and Saur were the two villages which merged in the town Mandsaur. The town was previously known as Dashapura in the ancient times. The area Mandsaur lies in was ruled by Dasharna people during the Mahabharata period. It is believed that Mandsaur town got its name as Dashpur from the Dasharna janapada. To some people Mandodri, wife of Ravana, was from this region hence this city came to be known as Mandsaur. And the ancient name, Dashpur, from the other name of Ravana -Dashanand. This is the reason Ravana is worshiped here in some places.Early History of Mandsaur
Dasharna ruled this area during Mahabharata period. Jayavarma, Simhavarma, Naravarma, Vishvavarma and Bandhuvarma were the kings from Dashapura from the first dynasty who ruled the area. Bandhuvarma was contemporary of Kumaragupta I. There is an inscription about Bandhuvarma at Mandsaur. Sun temple constructed by the silk workers was repaired by Bandhuvarma in 436 CE. The Risthal stone slab inscription were discovered in 1983. It has brought to light another Aulikara dynasty. Aulikara dynasty was comprised of following kings in the order of succession: Drumavardhana, Jayavardhana Ajitavardhana, Vibhishanavardhana, Rajyavardhana and Prakashadharma.
After Parakshadharma, the rule of Mandsaur came into the hands of Yashodharma. It is believed that he was the son and immediate successor of Prakashadharma.[1] After the victory over the territories of Bandhuvarma ,Yashodharma Vishnuvardhana assumed the title of Samrat. It is mentioned that Yashodharma Vishnuvardhana had received the title of ‘Maharajadhiraja’ or Emperor. At a distance of about 4 km from Mandsaur, a small village called Sondani is situated on Mahu-Nimach National Highway towards Mahu. King Yasodharman in 528 AD erected two monolith pillars here with inscription which describe his victory over Hunas. Hinglaj Fort is another ancient fort which is located near village Navali in Bhanpura tehsil of Mandsaur district in Madhya Pradesh. There are many sculptures of various periods in this fort. The statues in this fort are from Guptas period to Parmara period. The most ancient statues are from 4-5th century AD.
Mandsaur during Medieval Period
Mandsaur at one point if time was ruled by Mahendrapala II and was part of the Gurjara Pratihara empire. Malwa and Mewar are on the borders of Mandsaur . During the decline of the Delhi Sultanate, Dilawar Khan Ghauri was governor of the Malwa province of central India. In the year 1401, Dilawar Khan declared himself as the Sultan of Malwa. The kingdom was passed to his son Hoshang Shah after his death. Dilawar had also shifted the capital from Dhar to Mandu. He also renamed it Shadiabad, the city of joy. A fort was constructed for the defence of north-west boundary by Hoshang Shah Gori (1405–1435) which enhanced the security of the region.
Hoshang Shah Gori (1405–1435) constructed a fort at strategically important Mandsaur city to strengthen his north-west boundary. In 1519 Rana Sanga occupied the fort. He appointed Ashokmal Rajput as its Kiledar. During Humayun’s Malwa expedition In 1535 Humayun also stayed here for few months. Sadar Khan was appointed its Kiledar during Sher Shah period. The region occupied status of sarkar during the rule of Mughal Emperor Akbar. The region passed into the hands of mighty Marathas in 1733 when they defeated the Malwa subedar of Mughals Sawai Jaisingh.
