On May 22, 1997 CE, an earthquake, estimated at magnitude 6.0, struck the city of Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh, India, causing damage and killing 38 people. This event was a significant disaster for the region and highlighted the seismic risk in central India. The earthquake was a notable event in the country's seismic history.

The 1997 Jabalpur earthquake is recorded in historical accounts and is part of the regional lore of India. The event is a reminder of the seismic activity that shapes the country, a theme that appears in the literature of India. The earthquake is a part of the background for the literature of Madhya Pradesh, where the power of nature is a frequent theme.