If any city in India experienced the greatest (political) marginalization, it is Jabalpur (formerly Jubblepore). It was going to become the capital of Madhya Pradesh, but Bhopal overtook it! But the city still has the MP High Court and the headquarters of the Western Central Railway. It also has the army ammunition and artillery factory and Shaktiman trucks are made here.

Although it is said to be named after Jabali rishi, there is no historical or mythological evidence to support this claim. Some are of the opinion that Jabal (rock in Arabic) and Pur (city) formed Jabalpur.

It is called ‘The city of marble’ because of its abundance. Also metaphorically, the city is called ‘A City of Marble’ because marble has a smooth surface and the city has a cultural softness in its aura.

His train station is often in the news for its cleanliness. It is considered to be the cleanest Stn railway. In India.

Contrary to the general belief that the Center Point of India is in Nagpur, it is Jabalpur that has the Center Point of India.

There is a place called Sleemanabad near Jabalpur. It is named after the English captain Sleeman, who eradicated the notorious thugs (Pindaris) from central India. Maihar is close.

Climatically, it is a pleasant city. The Narmada River (Bheda ghat) makes it the most famous and sacred. Mahatma Gandhi’s remains were brought to the city. Gandhiji also visited Jabalpur during India’s struggle for independence.

The city has excellent mission schools. Aloysis is the most famous. Premnath (the actor) used to call him Doublepur. Actor Rahman, who appeared in many Hindi movies like Sahab Biwi aur Ghulam, Aandhi, Mere Humdum mere dost, Waqt, Dil ne phir yaad kiya to name but a few, studied at Victoria College, Jabalpur. Rajkapoor’s wife, Krishna Devi, studied here, although she came from the royal family of Paana/Tikamgarh.

It is a cultural city of Madhya Pradesh: Sanskaar Dhani (the cultural capital). Some years ago, a famous numerologist suggested that your PIN code 482001 has a total of 15 which comes to the single digit 6 (1+5) and 6 is the number of art and culture. Look at the art, culture and philosophical heritage of Jabalpur. Osho Rajnish taught Philosophy at Durgavati University, Mahesh Yogi was also from here. Comedian Harishankar Parsai was born and raised here. Known as India’s PG Wodehouse or Jerome K Jerome (two great humorists of the English language), Makhanlal Chaturvedi, whose ‘Pushp ki abhilasha’ immortalized him, was born and worked here. Subhadrakumari Chauhan, who wrote ‘Jhansi ki Rani’ (Bundele Harbolon ki humne suni kahani thi, khoob ladi mardani woh toh Jhansi wali Rani thi)-belonged to Jabalpur. Jaya Bhaduri, Arjun Rampal, Seth Govind Das, the late Aadesh Srivastav and Raghuvir Yadav hailed from this city.

Rani Durgavati University, Jabalpur had the most famous Hindi department in the 1960s and 1970s. It still has a formidable Humanities section in the varsity.

The city is calm, cool and relaxed. One loves the languid and leisurely air and atmosphere of Jabalpur. Be sure to see Bada Fuhara and Kamania Gate in the heart of the ancient city of Jabalpur when you visit the third largest city in MP after Bhopal and Indore.