This quaint little town with its luxuriant forests and hilly environs used to be the summer capital of the Scindia rulers. Here is the Madhav National Park, which not only provides sanctuary to the wildlife but to the avifauna as well. Prior to the royal Scindias its dense forests were the hunting grounds of the Moghul emperors when Emperor Akbar captured great herds of elephants. Much later, it was the tiger that roamed the wooded hills and many a magnificent best was bagged by royal shikaris. With its luxuriant forests and undulating hills, Shivpuri was the natural choice as the summer resort capital of the Scindias. Shivpuri's royal ambience lives on in the exquisite places and hunting lodges and graceful, intricately-embellished marble chhatris (cenotaphs) erected by the Scindia princes. A sanctuary for rare wildlife and avifauna, Shivpuri has transformed a royal past into a vibrant, hopeful present. The district derives its name from God Shiva. It was known earlier by the name Sipri. The Shivpuri place first found a mention during Moghul times in 1564 when Emperor Akbar is stated to have halted at this place. During that period it formed a part of Narwar Sarkar. It has a very big ancient fort and a wealth of history behind. The district was known as Narwar district during the times of Gwalior State, although its Headquarter was at Shivpuri.