{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2019}} {{Use Indian English|date=January 2019}} {{Infobox settlement | name = Lanji | native_name = | native_name_lang = | settlement_type = statutory town | image_skyline = Lanji town and gateway, Madhya Pradesh.jpg | image_alt = | image_caption = Gateway of Lanji | pushpin_map = India Madhya Pradesh#India | pushpin_label_position = top | coordinates = {{coord|21.5074|80.5512|display=inline,title}} | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = India | subdivision_type1 = State | subdivision_name1 = Madhya Pradesh | subdivision_type2 = District | subdivision_name2 = Balaghat | subdivision_type3 = Block | subdivision_name3 = Lanji | seat_type = | seat = | government_footnotes = | leader_party = | leader_title = | leader_name = | unit_pref = Metric | area_footnotes = | area_total_km2 = | area_note = | elevation_footnotes = | elevation_m = | population_footnotes = <ref name="Census_2011"/> | population_total = 13,558 | population_as_of = 2011 | population_density_km2 = auto | timezone1 = IST | utc_offset1 = +5:30 | postal_code_type = Postal Index Number | postal_code = 481222 | area_code_type = STD code | area_code = 07635 | registration_plate = MP-50 (RTO - Balaghat) | website = | iso_code = MP-IN | footnotes = }} '''Lanji''' is a statutory town in the Lanji tehsil of Balaghat district in Madhya Pradesh, India.<ref name="Census_2011"/> It is administered by a nagar panchayat, and is part of the Lanji assembly constituency and the Lanji community development block.

Lanji is located close to the Madhya Pradesh's border with Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra. It is located approximately 62&nbsp;km from the district headquarters Balaghat. It is home to the Koteshwar Shiva temple, Gangli-raja (a site of the Gondwana Kingdom), the Lanji Fort (site under archeological survey of India) and a very beautiful waari dam is situated about 10&nbsp;km distance from lanji.

== History ==

Lanji was earlier known as Lanjika, and was ruled by a branch of the Kalachuris of Ratnapura. During the Mughal period, it was a ''mahal'' (administrative division), as mentioned in the ''Ain-i-Akbari''. Before the formation of the Balaghat district in 1867, it was a pargana (administrative unit).<ref name="Census_2011"/>

== Demographics ==

|The Lanji Nagar Panchayat has population of 13,558; including 6,837 males and 6,721 females.<ref name="Census_2011">[http://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/dchb/DCHB_A/23/2340_PART_A_DCHB_BALAGHAT.pdf District Census Handbook: Balaghat]</ref>

Hindi is the major language spoken here; notable minority languages include Marathi and some rural languages. Lanji is home to migrants from other areas, including from Chhattisgarh in east, Maharashtra in south, and other parts of Madhya Pradesh in north.

== Geography ==

The Lanji tehsil is situated on the border of Madhya Pradesh with Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh. The land includes plateau, forest, and the Maikal Hills.

A local pond shaped like the number "52" is called "Bawan talab" ("52 talab") by some locals.{{citation needed|date=June 2019}}

== Education ==

Lanji has several schools, including

* Government Model Higher Secondary School Lanji *Saket Public School Lanji<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.educationportal.mp.gov.in/RTESR/Public/Recognized_Private_Schools.aspx|title=RTE Recognized Private Schools|website=educationportal.mp.gov.in|access-date=2019-03-24}}</ref> *Central India Academy Lanji<ref name=":0"/> *Pali Academic Institution, Bisoni, Lanji<ref name=":0" /> *Sarswati Shishu Mandir, Lanji<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vidyabharatialumni.org/school/212892/RTESR/Public/Recognized_Private_Schools.aspx|title=RTE Recognized Private Schools|website=vidyabharatialumni.org |access-date=2019-08-26}}</ref>

== Economy ==

Rice is the main crop in Lanji, and seed is sown at the beginning of the rainy season in June–July.

== Tourism == Notable tourist places in and around Lanji include:

*Lanji Fort & Temple *Lanjkayi Temple *Koteshwar Temple *Balaji Temple *Gangli Raja *Lodama Waterfall *Beautiful natural lake view point at Waari (about 10&nbsp;km from lanji) *Sai Temple at Kakodi (About 7 km from lanji) *Son river is main source of tourism and cropping <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.balaghat.nic.in/|title=Balaghat Website|website=balaghat.nic.in|access-date=2019-06-08|archive-date=28 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210628200742/https://balaghat.nic.in/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

== Lanji Fort (Lanji Ka Kila) == Lanji Fort (also known as [https://balaghatnews.com/balaghat/lanji-ka-kila-balaghat-history/ Lanji Ka Kila]) is a historical fort located in Lanji, Balaghat district, Madhya Pradesh, India. Built in the 12th century by Raja Malukoma, the fort is an important symbol of Rajput architecture and medieval defense systems. It is known for its massive stone walls, intricate carvings, and a deep moat that once contained crocodiles for security. Inside the fort, there is an ancient temple dedicated to Princess Hasla, who is revered for her bravery and sacrifice. The fort also has religious significance due to the Mahakali, Vishnu, and Ganesha temples nearby. Although the fort is now in ruins, it remains a site of historical and cultural importance and is protected by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

== Politics ==

Lanji is administered by a nagar panchayat.<ref name="Census_2011"/>

It is part of the Lanji Vidhan Sabha constituency. Hina Kaware, the Deputy Speaker of the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly, is the current legislator from Lanji and Kirnapur.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/bhopal/congress-mla-hina-kawre-madhya-pradesh-deputy-speaker-5532626/ |title=Madhya Pradesh: Congress MLA whose father was killed by Maoists is deputy speaker |date=11 January 2019 |newspaper=Indian Express }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/congress-hina-kawre-elect-madhya-pradesh-deputy-speaker-1428382-2019-01-11 |title=Congress MLA Hina Kawre elected Madhya Pradesh deputy speaker amid din | website=India Today |language=en |date=2019-01-11 }}</ref> Past legislators include Bhagwat Bhau Nagpure.

In the past, Naxalites have operated in the area.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhopal/villager-shot-dead-by-suspected-maoist-in-madhya-pradesh/articleshow/62193291.cms|title=Villager shot dead by suspected maoist in Madhya Pradesh - Times of India|work=The Times of India|access-date=2018-04-27}}</ref>

==Naxalism== Lanji is suffering from naxalism, many naxalite have active there. Generally it is very common problems in South East Madhya Pradesh.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://m.dailyhunt.in/buzz/video/hindi/news-zone/pair-pasar-rahi-hai-naksali-gatividhiya-7511586|title=पैर पसार रहीं हैं नक्सली गतिविधियां|website=DailyHunt|language=en|access-date=2019-07-11}}</ref>

== References == {{Reflist}}

Category:Villages in Balaghat district