Nagpur

About Nagpur

Nagpur sits almost exactly at the heart of India, a fact marked by the British-era Zero Mile Stone in the city centre. Known as the Orange City for the sweet oranges grown across the surrounding Vidarbha region, it is the third-largest city in Maharashtra and hosts the winter session of the state legislature.

The Gond kings and later the Bhonsle rulers of the Marathas shaped the old city, and the hilltop fort of Sitabuldi recalls their defeat by the East India Company in 1817. In 1956 Nagpur became a landmark of modern Buddhism when Dr B. R. Ambedkar and hundreds of thousands of his followers embraced the faith at Deekshabhoomi, now marked by a great white stupa. Lakes such as Futala and Ambazari give the city its favourite evening spots, and the spicy Saoji curries and tarri poha are local pride.

Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport and a major railway junction connect Nagpur with the rest of India. Several tiger reserves lie within a few hours' drive, with Pench the closest.