Alirajpur District: Location, Administration, Court, Railway Station, Pin Code

Alirajpur is a predominantly hilly and tribal district in the western part of Madhya Pradesh, close to the borders of Gujarat and Maharashtra. Alirajpur town serves as the district headquarters. The region is known for Bhil culture, traditional fairs, wood carving, mango cultivation and the historic town of Chandra Shekhar Azad Nagar. The present district was created on 17 May 2008 after being separated from Jhabua district. Its border location and rugged landscape give Alirajpur a distinct cultural and geographical identity within Madhya Pradesh.

Quick Overview of Alirajpur District

The district administration currently records an area of 3,182 sq. km, four revenue sub-divisions, five tehsils, six development blocks, 288 gram panchayats and 552 villages. The final Census 2011 handbook records a district literacy rate of 36.10 percent. Alirajpur is one of Madhya Pradesh’s important tribal-majority districts.

Where it is located

Alirajpur lies in the far western part of Madhya Pradesh. Gujarat is to the west, Maharashtra lies to the south, Jhabua district is to the north, and Dhar and Barwani districts are towards the east. The district lies along the south-western edge of the Malwa plateau and on the Vindhyan ranges north of the Narmada River. Its terrain is largely hilly, with many villages scattered across valleys and forested areas. Important towns and centres include:

• Alirajpur
• Jobat
• Sondwa
• Chandra Shekhar Azad Nagar
• Kathiwada
• Udaigarh

Administration of Alirajpur District

Alirajpur town is the district administrative headquarters. The district is divided into four revenue sub-divisions, each functioning under a Sub-Divisional Magistrate. The district administration also works through tehsil offices, development blocks, gram panchayats and urban local bodies.

Revenue Sub-Divisions

• Alirajpur
• Jobat
• Sondwa
• Chandra Shekhar Azad Nagar

Tehsils in Alirajpur District

The current district portal lists five tehsils:

• Alirajpur
• Jobat
• Sondwa
• Chandra Shekhar Azad Nagar
• Kathiwada

Development Blocks

Alirajpur district has six development blocks:

• Alirajpur
• Jobat
• Sondwa
• Chandra Shekhar Azad Nagar
• Kathiwada
• Udaigarh

The block structure differs slightly from the tehsil structure because Udaigarh is listed as a development block but not as one of the five tehsils. Across the six blocks, the district administration records 288 gram panchayats and 552 villages.

Urban Local Bodies

The district administration records three municipalities or urban local bodies in Alirajpur district. Alirajpur is the main municipal centre, while Jobat and Chandra Shekhar Azad Nagar also function as important urban centres. For ward boundaries, property tax, water supply and other civic services, residents should use the relevant local urban body.

Alirajpur District Court

The principal district judiciary is located in Alirajpur town. Madhya Pradesh High Court records identify the judicial establishment as District Court, Alirajpur. The court complex handles district-level civil and criminal judicial work along with other courts functioning under the district judiciary.

District Court Location

District Court, Alirajpur, Madhya Pradesh – 457887 People visiting for a specific case should confirm the court number, hearing location and cause-list details before travelling because different categories of cases may be assigned to different judicial courts.

Alirajpur Railway Station

Alirajpur now has its own railway station. Western Railway records list Alirajpur Railway Station with station code ARPR on the broad-gauge branch line extending from Pratapnagar and Chhota Udepur towards Alirajpur. The station falls under the Vadodara Division of Western Railway. Station Code: ARPR Railway Zone: Western Railway Railway Division: Vadodara Division Some older travel information still names Dahod in Gujarat as the nearest railhead because it predates or does not fully reflect the newer broad-gauge railway connection to Alirajpur. Dahod remains an important station for trains on the major Delhi-Mumbai railway route, but Alirajpur itself is now present on the Western Railway network.

Road Connectivity

Road transport remains extremely important in Alirajpur because many settlements are spread across hilly terrain. The district headquarters is connected by road with Indore, Jhabua, Barwani, Dahod, Chhota Udepur and other nearby towns in Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat. Direct bus and taxi services are commonly used for intercity and local travel. Important road directions include:

• Alirajpur – Jhabua
• Alirajpur – Dahod
• Alirajpur – Chhota Udepur
• Alirajpur – Barwani
• Alirajpur – Indore
• Alirajpur – Chandra Shekhar Azad Nagar

Nearest Airport to Alirajpur

Alirajpur does not have a scheduled commercial airport. The district administration identifies Vadodara Airport in Gujarat, about 170 km away, and Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport at Indore, about 202 km away, as the main airport options. The more convenient airport depends on flight availability and the traveller’s onward road route.

Alirajpur Pin Code

The main PIN code of Alirajpur town is 457887. India Post and the district administration both list this code for Alirajpur. Other useful district PIN codes include:

• Alirajpur – 457887
• Kathiwada – 457885
• Sondwa – 457888
• Chandra Shekhar Azad Nagar (Bhabhra) – 457882
• Jobat – 457990

Different villages and localities have separate postal codes, so the exact PIN should be checked for the destination rather than using the Alirajpur town code for the entire district.

Major Tourist Places in Alirajpur District

Chandra Shekhar Azad Nagar

Chandra Shekhar Azad Nagar, formerly known as Bhabhra, is the birthplace of revolutionary Chandra Shekhar Azad. The historic house associated with his childhood is the principal attraction and gives the town national historical importance.

Kathiwada

Kathiwada is one of the most scenic parts of the district. It is known for high rainfall, green hills, forests and mango cultivation. The rare Noor Jahan variety of mango is particularly associated with the Kathiwada area.

Laxmani Teerth

Laxmani Teerth is an important Jain religious site in the district. The temple is associated with Padmaprabhu and attracts devotees as well as visitors interested in the religious heritage of the region.

Tribal Culture and Bhagoria

Alirajpur’s Bhil traditions are an important part of the district’s identity. The Bhagoria fair season, traditional jewellery, bead work, wood carving, local markets and village culture offer visitors a distinctive view of western Madhya Pradesh’s tribal heritage.