REWA

also spelled Rewah, or Riwa town, northeastern Madhya Pradesh state, central India. The town was chosen as the capital of the former Rewa princely state in 1597 and served also as capital of the British Baghelkhand Agency (18711931) and of Vindhya Pradesh state (194856). It is connected by road with other towns and is a trade centre for grain, building stone, and timber. Cloth weaving and wood carving are important cottage industries. The town is the seat of Awadesh Pratap Singh University (established 1968), with several affiliated colleges, including a medical school, in the town. Rewa is situated on a wide alluvial plain that is part of the great Vindhyan plateau and is watered by the Tons River and its tributaries. Rice, wheat, oilseeds, millet, and corn (maize) are the major crops in the area, a significant portion of which is forested, yielding valuable timber and lac. The former Rewa princely state was founded c. 1400 by Baghel Rajputs (warrior caste) and entered into treaty agreements with the British in 1812. Pop. (1981) 100,641.