Guna is a city and a municipality in Guna district in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. It is the administrative headquarters of Guna District and is located on the banks of Parbati river. The British commonly spelt the name Goona and Goonah.Guna was part of the ancient Avanti Kingdom founded by Chand Pradyota Mahesena. Later Shishusangh added the kingdom of Avant, which included Guna to the growing empire of Magadha.
In the early 18th century, Guna was conquered by the Maratha leader Ranoji Rao Scindia, and remained part of the Kingdom of Gwalior until shortly after Indian independence. Guna was administered as part of the kingdom's Isagarh District. In 1897 the Indian Midland Railway constructed a rail route passing through Guna.
After India gained independence, Guna became part of the new state of Madhya Bharat on 28 May 1948 as one of its 16 districts. On November 1, 1956, Madhya Bharat was merged into Madhya Pradesh state.
