Chanderi, is a town of historical importance in Ashoknagar District of the state Madhya Pradesh in India.

[2] In the Battle of Chanderi, the Mughal Emperor Babur captured the fort from Medini Rai and witnessed the macabre Rajput rite of jauhar, in which, faced with certain defeat and in an attempt to escape dishonor in the hands of the enemy, women with children in their arms jumped in a fire pit to commit suicide, which was made for this specific purpose, against the background of vedic hymns recited by the priests.

Jauhar was performed during the night and in the morning the men would rub the ashes of their dead women folk on their forehead, don a saffron garment known as kesariya, chew tulsi leaves (in India tulsi leaves are placed in the mouth of a dead body), symbolizing their awareness about impending death and resolve to fight and die with honour.

[4][need quotation to verify] In 1542 it was captured by Sher Shah Suri and added to the governorship of Shujaat Khan.

[citation needed] The Bundela Rajputs captured the city in 1586, and it was held by Ram Sab, a son of Raja Madhukar of Orchha.

The Jain Bhattarakas of Mula Sangh, Balatkara Gana had a center at Chanderi that flourished for several centuries.

[15] In 1325, Mawlānā Yūsuf received a tunic and cap that had been worn by Niẓām al-Dīn as an insignia of spiritual succession (khilāfat).

[16] Locally revered as Makhdoom Shāh-i Wilāyat, the saint's death anniversary (Urs) is celebrated every year from March 27 to 29, when his devotees flock to the dargah to offer chaadars and pray for the fulfilment of their wishes.