Jalaun until 1858 when it was finally annexed by the East India Company. Mahoba was made the head-quarter of a sub-division in the district of Hamirpur. Its later history is un-eventful except for the local revolt in the first freedom struggle of 1857 when the British Sub-divisional Magistrate, Mr Carne, had to flee and seek refuge in the nearby Charkhari estate which was being ruled by Raja Ratan Singh. The Rani of Jhansi, got annoyed over this betrayal of Raja and deputed her general Tantia Tope to attack Charkhari and capture Mr. Carne. Raja Ratan Singh surrendered and entered into a treaty with Tantya Tope. Mahoba was then under the rule of rebels whom the British General Whitloack defeated and restored British rule. He arrested a large number of local rebels and hanged some of the prominent men on the trees in the vicinity called Haveli Darwaza. A "Shaheed Mela" is now annually held there to commemorate the memory of those rebels.
According to Bhavishya Puran Mahoba was earlier known as 'Mahavati Nagar. Mahavati nagar was established by Mahamaya, Devi jee. During the rule of Agni dynasty rulers in Kaliyug, the people have high moral values and follow the religion. In Kaliyug, morality of people should have been reduced because of Kaliyug, but Kaliyug's effect was neutralized by Agni dynasry rulers. Therefore, Kaliyug along with some Mlekshas went to Nilachal hills and worshipped the God Krishna for 12 years. Then Krishna appeared and blessed him that he will be incarnated as Ahla (Ahlad) and Udal (Udai Singh) and will weaken the Agni dynasty rulers by fighting with them and will do something so that Mlekshas could conquer India and Kaliyug could have full effect among people of India. In Bhavishya Puran, Mahavati Nagar has been referred at least two times
