Archive · 5 Sep 2026
300-Year-Old Naroshankar Haveli Discovered in Madhya Pradesh
Archaeologists found a very old mansion in Unao, Madhya Pradesh.
The mansion was built about 300 years ago by Naroshankar.
He was an important army commander for Balaji Baji Rao, also called Nana Saheb.
Naroshankar helped the Marathas gain control of several areas in Bundelkhand.
He also conquered Jhansi Fort in 1746.
Officials say this is the first building directly connected to him that has been found.
They want to protect the mansion and possibly turn it into a tourist site or heritage hotel.
They also found an old letter from Nana Saheb describing how the newly controlled area should be managed.
Madhya Pradesh’s archaeology department discovered a nearly 300-year-old haveli in Unao, Datia district.
The haveli was built between 1742 and 1745 by Naroshankar, commander-in-chief under Peshwa Balaji Baji Rao.
Naroshankar expanded Maratha control over parts of Bundelkhand and conquered Jhansi Fort in 1746.
Officials said the haveli is the first tangible structure linked to Naroshankar identified so far.
The department also found a 280-year-old Modi-script letter from Nana Saheb to Naroshankar about administration in newly acquired territories.
- Who
- The Madhya Pradesh archaeology department discovered the haveli, which was built by Maratha commander Naroshankar.
- What
- A nearly 300-year-old haveli and a 280-year-old administrative letter were discovered.
- When
- The haveli was built in 1742–45; the letter dates to about 280 years ago, and both were recently identified by the department.
- Where
- The haveli is in Unao, about 15 kilometres from the Datia district headquarters in Madhya Pradesh.
- Why
- The discoveries provide tangible evidence connected to Naroshankar and the Maratha administration of newly acquired territories; officials plan conservation and tourism development.
- Location
- Unao, Datia district, Madhya Pradesh
- Age of haveli
- Nearly 300 years
- Construction period
- 1742–45
- Builder
- Naroshankar, commander-in-chief under Balaji Baji Rao
- Historical event
- Naroshankar conquered Jhansi Fort in 1746
- Related discovery
- A 280-year-old letter from Nana Saheb to Naroshankar
- Future proposal
- Protection, conservation, tourism development, and possibly a heritage hotel