town, southwestern Madhya Pradesh state, west-central India. It is situated just south of the Narmada River, about 70 miles (110 km) southwest of Indore. A trade centre for agricultural produce and timber, it is heavily engaged in cotton ginning. Founded in about 1650, the town served as capital of the former Barwani princely state, which merged with Madhya Bharat in 1948. Nearby lies Chulgiri Hill, a pilgrimage site of special sanctity to the Jainas; on the face of the hill is carved a gigantic figure of the Jaina saint Bahubali (Gommateshvara). Barwani has a hospital and a government college affiliated with Vikram University. Pop. (2001) 43,232.