This article may require cleanup to meet Wikipedia's quality standards. No cleanup reason has been specified. Please help improve this article if you can; the talk page may contain suggestions. (May 2008)

This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (April 2009)

Solapur
—  city  —
Siddheshwar Lake Siddheshwar Lake
Solapur
Coordinates: 17°41′N 75°55′E / 17.68°N 75.92°E / 17.68; 75.92Coordinates: 17°41′N 75°55′E / 17.68°N 75.92°E / 17.68; 75.92
Country	India
State	Maharashtra
District	Solapur
Government
• Mayor	Arif Shaik
Area
• Total	148.86 km2 (57.48 sq mi)
Elevation	457 m (1,499 ft)
Population (2011)
• Total	4,315,527
Languages
• Official	Marathi
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
PIN	41300X
Telephone code	0217
Vehicle registration	MH-13
Sex ratio	940 ♂/♀
Website	solapur.gov.in

Solapur  pronunciation (help·info) is a city in South Western Maharashtra, India governed by municipal corporation.

Solapur is one of the four districts that form the region of Western Maharashtra (the other three districts are Satara, Kolhapur and Sangli).Solapur is one of the cities in Maharashtra, situated near the borders with Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh It is the fourth largest district in Maharashtra in terms of land area and seventh largest in terms of population.^[1] It is an important junction on the Central railway line. Solapur is a city with an array of small and medium scale industries.

Solapur is famous for textile industries, Solapur chadars and towels are famous around the globe.The famous factory outlets/shop are pulagam textile, tanabana, chatala, boddul textile, venugopal textile, etc. It has been a leading center for cotton mills and power looms, though recent times have seen these industries relocate elsewhere.

The chief deity of the city is Shri Siddeshwar. The "Nandidhwaj" procession on Makar Sankranti fair is attended by millions of devotees. An annual fair is held in the month of January wherein huge crowd comes from various parts of country, which is called as Gadda Fair in vernacular language.

History[link]

Solapur District was ruled by various dynasties such as Andhrabhratyas, Chalukyas, Rashtrkutas, Yadavas, Kalachuri and Bahamanis. 'Solapur' is believed to be derived from two words 'Sola' meaning sixteen and 'pur' meaning village. The present city of Solapur was considered to be spread over sixteen villages viz. Aadilpur, Ahmedpur, Chapaldev, Fatehpur, Jamdarwadi, Kalajapur, Khadarpur, Khandervkiwadi, Muhammadpur, Ranapur, Sandalpur, Shaikpur, Solapur, Sonalagi, Sonapur and Vaidakwadi.But this is not justified by any historical researches.

Recent research work however shows that the name SOLAPUR is derived NOT from the congregation of sixteen villages. It is evident from the inscriptions of Shivayogi Shri. Siddheshwar of the time of the Kalachuristis of Kalyani, that the town was called Sonnalage which came to be pronounced as Sonnalagi. The town was known as Sonnalagi even up to the times of Yadavas. A Sanskrit inscription dated Shake 1238, after the downfall of the Yadavas found at Kamati in Mohol shows that the town was known as Sonalipur. One of the inscriptions found in Solapur fort shows that the town was called Sonalpur while another inscription on the well in the fort shows that it was known as Sandalpur.^[2]

One Kannada inscriptions Of Mahamandaleshwar Kalachuri whos capital was mangalwedha, preserved at D.B.F.Dayanand College of Arts & Science,Ravivar Peth,Solapur shows that Kalachuri's also ruled Solapur for long time.Inscription is in Hale Kannada(Old Kannada)slightly different from today's Kannada language.Rather similar Kannada inscriptions was collected at Mohol Taluka which is North West to Solapur city. Indicative of Kannada was the only language of Sonnalagi (Rightnow solapur) atlast up to 16th to 17th century. It seems from the data analysis of lingual transformations that,city of solapur was Loved by British very much.And Marathi was nearer to Hindi so British might have promoted Marathi language,which sacrificed the ONLY use of KANNADA language in solapur.Also Adilshah & Bahamanshah used Urdu as ruling language again it is nearer to marathi compared to Kannada.

Languages: Solapuri Telugu Solapuri Telugu is basically associated with Padmashali's.It is said that Solapur Padmashali's had came from Telangana (NIZAM STATE of that time)region of Andhra Pradesh In the British Time about 1840 to 1850.Which are majorly loomers. the telugu crowd is mostly now and mostly business chadar towels and vidi karkhana is mostly working to telugu people This language is also blended with Urdu,Marathi then Kannada.

Solapuri Kannada (Vhagad/Hogad) Even though Kannada is the Historical language of Solapur.Today's Solapur Kannada (Pure Solapur people never call KANNADA as KANADI as other maharashtra people pronounce,may be due to respect of Historical & Traditional Language of Solapur) is blend of languages having lots Urdu,Hindi & marathi some of Telugu words also. It is sometimes called as Solapuri Vhagad or Hogad(Kannada).This type of Vhagad Kannada is not only used in Solapur city but also surrounding North Solapur,South Solapur,Akkalkot Some parts of mohol,Mangalwedha of Solapur District Also Indi, Chadchan taluka of Bijapur,Aland, Afjalpur taluka of Gulbarga & Omarga, Lohara Taluka of Osmanabad district.All these places are having 60 to 70 km atmost from the City of Solapur.

Solapuri marathi Solapuri marathi is significant and most widely used language in Solapur & totally distinct from rest of maharashtra according to the tonning Such kind of toning of Marathi language is only seen in South Solapur,North Solapur,Akkalkot,Mohol & Magalwedha as well as Omarga & Lohara taluka from Osmanabad.Such ascent of marathi is also seen in Ganagapur,Aland in Gulbarga District. Solapur marathi is not having history before about 150–200 years but still it is greatly used by people of the region told above. Solapur person quickly judges the outsider whatever would be language of communication Kannada,marathi or even Telugu or Urdu .As the ascent of all these languages is SAME.

Solapuri Urdu Solapuri Urdu is many ways similar to Hyderabadi Urdu.The ascent is different Solapuri Urdu is having Kannada ascent but Hyderabadi Urdu is Having Telugu ascent.

Due to great blend of languages whichever is seen only in Metro Cities BHASHA BHAVAN was proposed at Solapur by the Central Government but Still it hasn't been in reality due to Lack of Political influence.

Solapur passed from the Bahmani to successively the Bijapur sultans, Mughal Empires, Hyderabad Nizams and from Nşzams to the Marathas in 1795. In 1818, on the fall of the peshwa, it was ceded to the British, when it formed part of Ahmednagar, Pune and Satara districts. In 1838 it became the Sub-district of Ahmednagar. It included Barshi, Mohol, Madha, Karmala, Indi, Hippargi and Muddebihal Sub-divisions. In 1864 this Sub-district was abolished. In 1871 this district was reformed joining the Sub-divisions viz. Solapur, Barshi, Mohol, Madha and Karmala and two Sub-divisions of Satara district viz. Pandharpur, Sangola and in 1875 Malshiras Sub-division was also attached. After the State reorganisation in 1956 Solapur was included in Mumbai State and it became a full fledged district of Maharashtra State in 1960.

Solapur is one of the biggest cities in Maharashtra, situated near the borders with Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. It is an ancient historical and religious place with Shri Siddharameshwar as its "Gramadaiwata". Shri Siddheshwar was a historical figure of the 12th century whose "Karmayoga" on his own native land-Solapur, turned him into a God-figure over the course of time. There was a great saint Shri. Siddarama, who preached the teachings of Shri. Basaweshwara. A young girl, inspired by the teachings of this saint wished to marry the saint. Shri. Siddaram being a brahamachari denied to marry her and gave permission to marry with his Yogadanda. The same marriage function is celebrated every year on the Makar Sankranti for three days on Bhogi, Sankrant and Kinkrant. The Nandi Dhwajas are presumed to be Bride and Groom for the marriage. This festival falls around 14 January every year. A fair popularly known as Gadda Jatra is arranged for fifteen days during this period.

The importance of Solapur is unique in the history of India in the sense that this district enjoyed freedom even before independence. The citizens of Solapur enjoyed independence for three days from 9 to 11 May 1930. The brief history runs like this: After the arrest of Mahatma Gandhi in May 1930, protests and demonstrations against British rule were held throughout India. Large scale rallies and protests were also held at Solapur. Many citizens lost their lives in police firings. Due to this an irate mob attacked the police stations. Out of fear the police and other officers ran out of Solapur. During this period the responsibility of law, order and security of citizens rested on the shoulders of Congress Party leaders. Then city congress leader Tulsidas Jadhav along with other congressmen maintained the law and order for a period of three days from 9 to 11 May 1930.In February 2009 a statue of Shri Tulsidas Jadhav was erected at Mechanic chowk to acknowledge his brave act. The unveiling ceremony was performed by Shri Sharad Pawar.

Secondly, the Solapur Municipal Council was the first Municipal Council of India to hoist the national flag on the Municipal Council building (Now Municipal Corporation) Solapur in 1930. The brief history runs like this: Taking the spirit of Dandi March from Mahatma Gandhi, the freedom fighters of Solapur decided to hoist the national flag on the Solapur Municipal Council building. Accordingly, senior freedom fighter from Pune Shri. Annasaheb Bhopatkar hoisted the National Flag on 6 April 1930 on Municipal Council building. This was the first and the unique incidence of such kind throughout the country. The British rulers, were irritated and declared martial law at Solapur and arrested many leaders and innocent citizens on false and trumped up charges. The freedom fighters Shri. Mallappa Dhanshetti, Shri. Kurban Hussain, Shri. Jagnnath Shinde and Shri. Kisan Sarda were arrested on charges of killing two policemen of Mangalwar police station. The lower court sentenced the accused freedom fighters to be hanged until dead. The High Court also confirmed the same decision and these four freedom fighters were hanged till death on 12 January 1931. As a mark of respect to these freedom fighters, the statues of these freedom fighters have been installed in the heart of the city and the location has been named 'Hutatma Chowk'.

During the Indian independence movement, the people of Solapur enjoyed full freedom on 9, 10 and 11 May 1930. However, this resulted in the executions of Mallappa Dhanshetti, Abdul Rasool Qurban Hussein, Jagannath Bhagwan Shinde and Shrikisan Laxminarayan Sarada who were hanged on 12 January 1931, in the prison at Pune. This resulted in the city becoming recognized as "The City of Hutatmas".

Geography and climate[link]

Solapur is located at 17°41′N 75°55′E / 17.68°N 75.92°E / 17.68; 75.92. It has an average elevation of 458 metres (1502 feet). It is bordered by Ahmednagar district on the North, Osmanabad district on the North and Northeast; Gulbarga district (Karnataka state) on the Southeast and South;Bijapur District(KarnatakaState), Sangli district on the South and Southwest; Satara district on the West and Pune district on the Northwest. It is situated at a distance of 410 km from the Maharashtra State Capital of Mumbai by road and train. Solapur is at a distance of 245 km from Pune and 305 km from Hyderabad. Solapur is situated on Deccan plateau.

Solapur falls under the category of dry (arid and Semiarid) climate according to the Köppen climate classification. The city experiences three distinct seasons: summer, monsoon and winter. Typical summer months are from March to May, with maximum temperatures ranging from 30 to 40 °C (86 to 104 °F). The warmest months in Solapur are April and May. The typical maximum temperatures being 40 °C (104 °F) or more. The highest temperature ever recorded is 48°C in April 1988. Although summer doesn't end until May or even the midst of June, the city often receives locally developed heavy thundershowers in May (although humidity remains high). The monsoon lasts from June to end of September, with moderate rainfall. The city of Solapur receives an average rainfall of 545 mm per year.^[3] Winter begins in November and last until the end of February with the temperatures occasionally dropping below 10 °C (50 °F). Solapur lies very close to the seismically active zone around Killari (Dist. Latur), about 100 km east of the city.

Solapur is a 10th largest city in the India.

Civic administration[link]

The civic administration of the city is managed by the Solapur Municipal corporation, which was established on 1 May 1964. The corporation oversees the engineering works, health, sanitation, water supply, administration and taxation in the city. It is headed by a Mayor who is assisted by Municipal Commissioner and elected representatives . The city is divided into 98 wards and 6 zones. The corporation members also known as corporators are elected by the citizens of Solapur every five years. The corporators in turn elect the Mayor. Its activities include developing new layouts and roads, town planning and land acquisition.^[4] The electrical supply to the city is managed by the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MAHADISCOM).

Economy[link]

The Major contribution to the economy in Solapur is agricultural produce, fruits like grapes, pomegranate etc. The district also consists of medium and small scale industries. Solapur is also the leading centre for handlooms, power looms and cotton mills producing chaddars, (Solapur bed sheets), bath-towels having great durability and novel designs.

The industrial empire of the Kirloskars expanded to Solapur way back in 1900. They set up their factory near Tikekarwadi, thus announcing the industrialisation of Maharashtra to the world. The Foundry with an annual capacity of 40000 MT is a major supplier to Mahindras, Toyota, Piaggio, Escorts, TAFE etc. The company is spread over 74 acres and is home to many species of birds, animals and insects. There are 2 lakes within the premise and is home to the migratory birds all round the year. The company employs more than 500 employees and is a major revenue earner in the city. It contributes its might to the development of the city. The company is a part of KIRLOSKAR FERROUS INDUSTRIES LIMITED, with its head office at Koppal in Karnataka. The regd office of the company is at Pune.

The Solapur district has the largest industry in Maharashtra for Beedi production. Solapur is also known for its oilseed-market. The other leading industries include: Precision Camshafts Limited, Smruthi Organics Limited., CIMCCO, Balaji Amines Ltd., Laxmi Hydraulics Pvt. Ltd.,

The dissolution of giant textile mills like Lakshmi Vishnu, Yeshwant, Juni-mill, Solapur etc. had a great set-back on the economy of the city as well as district.

In recent development BF-NTPC Energy Systems Ltd (BFNESL), a JV between forgings maker Bharat Forge Ltd and power generation company NTPC Ltd, has begun work on its manufacturing plant at Solapur in south-eastern Maharashtra. The foundation stone for the new plant was laid on 15th Mar by the Union Power Minister, Mr Sushilkumar Shinde. It is expected to become operational by mid-2012 and involves an investment of Rs 300–350 crore.

Educational institutions[link]

Schools[link]

• Little Flower Convent High School,Solapur.
• Kendriya Vidyalaya Modi Road Solapur 413001 (CBSE BOARD)
• Shri Siddeheshwar English Medium School Solapur
• Saint Joseph High School Solapur 413001
• Navdoya Vidyalaya Modi District Solapur (CBSE BOARD)
• Saint Thomes English Medium School Solapur 413001

Colleges[link]

Solapur has seen the surge of arts- commerce-science junior and senior colleges, engineering as well as other colleges

University[link]

The colleges and the institutes in Solapur were earlier affiliated to [Solapur University], Solapur. Now the separate university has been granted to Solapur by government. The post-graduate study center of Shivaji University (Kolhapur) at Solapur was functioning with the three departments Polymer Chemistry, Applied Physics/ Electronics and Geology having the masters courses and M. Phil, Ph. D. research in these areas. The center was located on the old campus of Dr. V. M. Government Medical College that was later on relocated to Police Golibar Maidan. The center was transformed to the university to serve the students of Solapur district and was formally inaugurated on 3 August 2004.

• Solapur University

Notable personalities[link]

• Dr. Dwarkanath Kotnis was among the physicians dispatched to China to provide medical assistance during the Second Sino-Japanese War in 1938.
• Dr. Jabbar Patel (movieman and director of movies like Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, Jait Re Jait, Umbartha and plays like Ghanshiram Kotwal)
• Ms. Shashikala (actress in Marathi and Hindi Movies)
• M. F. Hussain – World Famous painter
• Atul Kulkarni- film actor^{[citation needed]}
• Salil Ankola – member of Indian Cricket Team in 1996 world Cup, Hindi Film actor
• Polly Umrigar - One of the all time greats of Indian cricketer
• Vedhika Kumar - She is an Indian film actress who has appeared in Tamil, Telugu and Kannada films and belongs to Solapur, Maharashtra .
• Sushilkumar Shinde – politician
• Achyut Godbole - A famous writer on subjects of Science and Economy.
• Anagha Deshpande - Famous Cricketer from HD school (PART OF INDIAN WOMENS CRICKET TEAM).

Superstitious practices[link]

In an annual event, infants are thrown off the roof of the Baba Sheikh Umar Saheb Dargah to thank God for blessing couples with a child. This ritual, which attracts many devotees from across the country, is believed to be good for the health of the child. The infants are initially carried over to the terrace in small bags by a devotee. One after the other, the infants are then dropped from there, and others standing below hold a blanket to catch the falling kid. The event was reported first in 2008. In 2009, the event received a lot of national and international press coverage and was criticised by many child and human rights groups.^[5][6][7]

Transport[link]

Public transport in Solapur is primarily provided by buses operated by Solapur Municipal Transport (SMT) and auto rickshaws.

Rail:

Road:
Solapur is well connected by road with major cities of Maharashtra as well as the adjoining State Capital of Hyderabad and important cities in Karnataka by three National Highways – NH-9 connecting Pune with Vijaywada via Hyderabad, NH-13 connecting Solapur to Mangalore, Karnataka and NH-211 connecting Solapur to Dhule. There are also numerous state and country routes that pass through Solapur. And connected to some cities like Siddipet, Karimnagar, Warangal etc. daily.

Ratnagiri-Nagpur National highway NH-204 connects Solapur to important cities of Maharashtra like Nagpur, Sangli, Kolhapur and Nanded.

Airport:
Solapur Airport (IATA code: SSE^[8]) is located to the south of Solapur city.Currently its has no scheduled services. Solapur will be connected to other cities after completion of new airport in Boramani. Kingfisher Red used to operate flights from Solapur to Mumbai on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. The service was terminated due to lack of passengers, inadequate security of the runway and other financial issues.

References[link]

v t e  State of Maharashtra Capital: Mumbai Topics History Geography Economy Tourism Marathi language Culture Marathi people Marathi literature Marathi cinema Maharashtrian cuisine Regions Desh Khandesh Konkan Mumbai Metropolitan Region Marathwada Vidarbha Districts Ahmednagar Akola Amravati Aurangabad Beed Bhandara Buldhana Chandrapur Dhule Gadchiroli Gondia Hingoli Jalgaon Jalna Kolhapur Latur Mumbai (City) Mumbai (Suburban) Nagpur Nanded Nandurbar Nashik Osmanabad Parbhani Pune Raigad Ratnagiri Sangli Satara Sindhudurg Solapur Thane Wardha Washim Yavatmal Million-plus cities in Maharashtra Mumbai Pune Nagpur Thane Pimpri-Chinchwad Nashik Kalyan-Dombivali Navi Mumbai Aurangabad Other cities with municipal corporations Ahmednagar Akola Amravati Bhiwandi Chandrapur Dhule Jalgaon Kolhapur Latur Malegaon Mira-Bhayandar Nanded Parbhani Sangli Solapur Ulhasnagar Vasai-Virar Portal: Maharashtra

External links[link]

• Solapur District Portal.
• Solapur Business Directory.

Maharashtra portal

Wikisource has the text of the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica article Sholapur.

• Baby Dropping Ritual - Dangerous tradition in Solapur, India