Mhow Travel and Tourism Guide

In 1818, Holkars faced defeat from the English, Scotsman Sir John Malcolm at the Battle of Mahidpur. Treaty of Mandsaur was signed soon after this battle which has the mention of Mhow. The Mhow fort was given to East India Company as a place of security. As per the treaty,

The British agreed to provide support to the internal treasuries of the territories of Malhar Rao Holkar, and protect them from outside rivals. Indore became the capital of the Holkars as per the treaty. Till year 1821, the city was the headquarters under Sir John Malcolm.

The Mhow Fort covered an area of around four hectares. This large area was used to store the weapons and shells belonging to Mhow Garrison. During the war of independence in 1857, Bengal troops in Mhow confronted and raised the arms to revolt against the British. Most of the British men were killed and the ones who survived took the shelter in Mhow Fort.

They remained in the fort for nearly a month and rescued only when the other English troops under the command of a Brigadier General Stuart Mhow of Aurangabad entered the fort. Mhow was only place in central India, which was never abandoned by the British. After the revolt was concealed in 1858, the 5th Regiment of the Madras Cavalry was placed in Mhow.

The place was also used as a dwelling for prisoners of war. The troops from Burma were placed in Mhow during World War II and were provided training on jungle warfare in adjacent forests.

The Holkars (till 1818) and the British (1818 onwards) ruled this place.

Mhow is synonymous with the Indian Army. The city has been a training centre of the Army since the British days. It abodes three premier training institutions- first, The Infantry School, the alma mater of the Indian Infantry which is the forefront of the Indian Army; second, The Military College of Telecommunication Engineering (MCTE), the alma mater of the Corps of Signals (the Corps of Signals is like the nervous system of the Indian Army as it is responsible for communications) and the third, The Army War College (formerly known as the College of Combat).

These three institutions together form the backbone of Mhow. Each of these institutions is headed by a Lieutenant General.