19°31′N 75°34′E / 19.51°N 75.57°E / 19.51; 75.57-21°10′N 76°35′E / 21.17°N 76.59°E / 21.17; 76.59

Buldhana district बुलढाणा जिल्हा
Location of Buldhana district in Maharashtra
State	Maharashtra, India
Administrative division	Amravati Division
Headquarters	Buldhana
Area	9,640 km2 (3,720 sq mi)
Population	2,232,480 (2001)
Population density	960 /km2 (2,500 /sq mi)
Urban population	21.2
Literacy	76.14%
Sex ratio	946
Tehsils	Buldhana, Chikhli, Deulgaon Raja, Khamgaon, Shegaon, Malkapur, Motala, Nandura, Mehkar, Lonar, Sindkhed Raja, Jalgaon Jamod, Sangrampur
Lok Sabha constituencies	Buldhana (MH-5), Raver (MH-4)( shared with Jalgaon district ) [1]
Assembly seats	Malkapur, Buldhana, Chikhli, Sindkhed Raja, Mehkar, Khamgaon, Jalgaon Jamod
Major highways	NH-6
Average annual precipitation	946 mm
Official website

Buldhana district (Marathi: बुलढाणा जिल्हा) is a district in the Amravati division of Maharashtra state in western India. It is situated at the westernmost border of Vidarbha region of Maharashtra and is 500 km from the state capital, Mumbai. It is bounded by Madhya Pradesh on the north, Akola, Washim, and Amravati districts on the east, Jalna district on the south, and Jalgaon and Aurangabad districts on the west.

Origin of name[link]

The name of the district is derived probably from Bhil Thana (place of Bhils, a tribal group).^[2]

History[link]

Buldhana, along with the rest of Berar Province, was part of the kingdom of Vidarbha mentioned in the Mahabharata, a Sanskrit epic poem. Berar formed part of the Maurya Empire during the reign of Ashoka (272–231 BCE). Berar came under the rule of the Satavahana dynasty (2nd century BCE–2nd century CE), the Vakataka dynasty (3rd to 6th centuries), the Chalukya dynasty (6th to 8th centuries), the Rashtrakuta Dynasty (8th to 10th centuries), the Chalukyas again (10th to 12th centuries), and finally the Yadava dynasty of Devagiri (late 12th to early 14th centuries). A period of Muslim rule began when Alauddin Khilji, Sultan of Delhi, conquered the region in the early 14th century. The region was part of the Bahmani Sultanate, which broke away from the Delhi Sultanate in the mid-14th century. The Bahmani Sultanate broke up into smaller sultanates at the end of the 15th century, and in 1572 Berar became part of the Nizam Shahi sultanate, based at Ahmednagar. The Nizam Shahis ceded Berar to the Mughal Empire in 1595. As Mughal rule started to unravel at the start of the 18th century, Asaf Jah I, Nizam of Hyderabad, seized the southern provinces of the empire (including Berar) in 1724, forming an independent state.

In 1853, the district, together with the rest of Berar, came under the administration of the British East India Company. Berar was divided into East and West Berar with Buldhana district being included in West Berar. In 1903, Berar was leased by the Nizam of Hyderabad to the British Government of India.

Some historical events[link]

• 1437: Nasir Khan Faruqi, ruler of Khandesh, invaded Berar. A battle was fought at Rohinkhed with Khalif Hasan Basri, governor of Daulatabad, for Aladdin Ahmad Shah II Bahmani. Khan-i-Jahan, governor of Berar, was besieged in Narnala Fort. Nasir Khan lost the battle.
• 1590: The second battle at Rohinkhed took place between Burhan Nizam Shah and Jamal Kahn Mahdavi of Ahmednagar.
• 1600s: Veer Mata Jijabai, the mother of Chhatrapati Shivaji (founder of the Maratha Empire, was born at Sindkhed Raja, at the Palace of Lakhuji Jadhav.
• 1724: The battle of Sakharkheda–Fathkhelda: Asaf Jah defeated Mubariz Khan, governor of Malwa representing the Mughal Empire, and becomes Nizam of Hyderabad.^[3]
• 1761: Malkpur pays money to Raghunathrao Peshwa for exception.^{[clarification needed]}
• 1729: Gates erected in Malkapur town during the rule of Mali Khan
• 1769: Madhav Rao Peshwa with minister of Nizam encamped at Mehkar to punish Janoji Bhonsle.^{[clarification needed]}
• 1790: Dyers flee to Nandura from Pimpalgaon Raja due to depredations of Mahadaji Sindhia and Pendharis
• 1803: Raghuji Bhonsle and Daulat Rao Sindhia meet the British envoy near Malkapur
• 1841: Mongal Rao plants flags of Maratha Bhonsla on the walls of Jamod
• 1863: Great Indian Peninsula Railway line opened
• 1878: Gajanan Maharaj was found on a street in Shegaon.
• 1881: Municipal council established in Shegaon
• 1930: Municipal council established in Chikhli
• 1931: Municipal council established in Nandura

Demographics[link]

According to the 2011 census Buldhana district has a population of 2,588,039,^[4] roughly equal to the nation of Kuwait^[5] or the US state of Nevada.^[6] This gives it a ranking of 159th in India (out of a total of 640).^[4] The district has a population density of 268 inhabitants per square kilometre (690 /sq mi) .^[4] Its population growth rate over the decade 2001-2011 was 15.93 %.^[4] Buldana has a sex ratio of 928 females for every 1000 males,^[4] and a literacy rate of 82.09 %.^[4]

Languages[link]

Apart from the commonly used Marathi language, language used in the district includes Andh, an Indo-Aryan language spoken by 100,000 people.^[7]

Geography[link]

Lonar crater lake is located in Buldhana district. It is the second largest impact crater in basaltic rock in the world. It was formed 60,000 years ago by a meteor impact. The pH of the water is about 11 (extremely alkaline). Lonar Crater has very different flora and fauna in its vicinity.

The Dnyanganga Sanctuary is situated in the district. There is good forest area in the sanctuary.

The climate is tropical and people mostly wear cotton clothes.

Buldhana district boundaries[link]

It is bounded by Madhya Pradesh on the north, Akola, Washim, and Amravati districts on the east, Jalna district on the south, and Jalgaon and Aurangabad districts on the west. The district boundary latitudes are 19.51° to 21.17° N and longitudes are 75.57° to 76.59° E.

The district boundary has been changed many times. In 1480, as part of Berar taraf (province) of Bahamani Sultanate, Chikhli and Mehkar were part of Mahur division and Malkapur, Jalgaon, and Khamgaon were part of Gawil. During Akbar's time (1542–1605), it was part of the Sarkars (administrative unit) of Narnala, Baitalwadi, and Mehkar. In 1634 the area became known as Payanghat Subah (Lowlands Province) while Chikli and Mehkar were part of Balaghat Subah (Highlands Province), but by 1636 Berar became part of a large province called Deccan. Around that time, Malkapur, Jalgaon, Badner Bholji Pimpalgaon Raja, Jepur and Rajur were important parganas (administrative units of the Delhi Sultanate.^[8]

In 1853 the district came into existence as North Berar district with Buldhana as its headquarters. It along with South Berar district with Hingoli as its headquarters constituted Berar Province.^[9] North Berar district included the present Amravati district, the northern half of Akola, and Buldhana. After the Indian Rebellion of 1857 Hingoli, along with the neighbouring countryside, was restored to the Nizam. Berar province was reconstituted into East Berar district with headquarters at Amaravati, and West Berar district with headquarters at Akola.^[10] After 1857 Mehkar, Chikhli, and Malkapur were part of West Berar district. In 1864 these three talukas were made independent as South-West Berar district, which was renamed Mehkar district in 1865.

In 1867 Buldhana district came into existence, combining North Berar and Mehkar districts. After the amalgamation of Berar with the Central Provinces in 1903, Buldhana district became the district of Central Provinces and Berar. In August 1905 Khamgaon and Jalgaon tehsils from Akola district of Central Provinces and Berar were combined into Buldhana district.^[9]

In 1950 it became part of Madhya Pradesh with Nagpur as its capital. In 1956, along with other Marathi-speaking regions of Vidarbha, it became part of Bombay State and part of Maharashtra State in 1960.

Buldhana district rivers[link]

The district lies in the Tapti River and Godavari River basins. Purna River is a tributary of the Tapti River while the Penganga and Kadakpurna Rivers are tributaries of Godavari River.

Here are some of the rivers in Buldhana, with their tributaries.

• Purna River
  • Vaan River
  • Mann River
  • Utawali River
  • Nipani River
  • Mas River
  • Bordi River
  • River Dnyanganga
  • Vishwaganga River
  • Nalganga River
• Penganga River
• Kadakpurna River
• Dhamana River

Economy[link]

Cotton, sorghum and other cereals, oil seeds, soybean, sunflower, and groundnuts are the predominant crops grown in the district.

Khamgaon and Malkapur are the major cotton trading towns in the district. The district has many minor and medium size irrigation projects. The important ones are Nalganga and Vaan. There are thirteen Agriculture Produce Market Committees-Main Market, one in each tehsil, and there are twenty sub-markets in the districts.^[11]

The Indian Council for Agriculture research funded a farm science centre Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Jalgaon Jamod in the district in 1994.^[12]

The district has major industrial areas at Khamgoan and Malkapur and has smaller industrial areas at Chikhli, Buldhana, Dasarkhed, Deoulgaonraja, Mehkar, Sangrampur, and Lonar.

Representation[link]

The district contributes one seat to the Lok Sabha (Lower House), namely Buldhana (Lok Sabha constituency). Prataprao Ganpatrao Jadhav of Shiv Sena is the current Member of Parliament from Buldhana.

The district has seven seats in the Maharashtra State legislature assembly: Buldhana, Chikhli, Sindhkhe Raja, Mehkar, Khamgaon, and Jalgoan Jamod. The seventh seat at Malkapur is part of Raver (Lok Sabha constituency) in Jalgaon district.

District organisation[link]

Revenue subdivisions[link]

The district has five revenue subdivisions headed by a Sub Divisional Officer (SDO): Buldhana, Mehkar, Khamgaon, Malkapur, and Jalgaon-Jamod.

Revenue talukas[link]

As of 2010, the district of Buldhana comprises thirteen talukas (tehsils): Buldhana, Chikhli, Deulgaon Raja, Malkapur, Motala, Nandura, Mehkar, Sindkhed Raja, Lonar, Khamgaon, Shegaon, Jalgaon Jamod, and Sangrampur.

Each taluka/tehsil is headed by Tahsildar and assisted by Naib-Tahsildhar, Revenue Inspector and Talathis. Some of the revenue circles are Dhad, Raipur, Mhsala, Padali, Buldhana rural, Buldhana city, Mera., Undri, Amdapur, Eklara, Hatni, Kolara, Khairao, Chikhli rural, Chikhli town, Bibi, Sultanpur, Titavi, Lonar rural, Lonar town, Jalamb, Matargaon, Pahurjira., Manasgaon, Shegaon rural, and Shegaon town.^[13]

Agriculture[link]

The district superintending agriculture officer comes under Divisional Joint Director of Amravati Division. There are three subdivisions at Buldhana, Khamgaon, and Mehkar with a taluka agriculture officer at each taluka.

There are multiple circles under each taluka. They are Dhad, Shelapur, Dhamangaon, Motala, Shelsur, Amdapur, Chikhli, Dharangaon, Malkapur, Janephal, Mehkar, Bibi, Lonar, Sakharkherda, Sindkhed Raja, Mera Khurd, Deulgaon Mahi, Deulgaon Raja, Ganeshpur, Pimpalgaon Raja (Khamgaon), Nandura, Shegaon, Jalgaon Jamod, Warwat Khanderao, and Sangrampur.^[14]

Amenities[link]

Hemadpanthi temples[link]

Hemadpanthi temples are located at Mehkar-Sonati, Sindhkhed Raja (Nilkantheshwar), and Sakegaon on the Chikhli-Dhad road. Three Shiva temples are located in Dhotra (Nandai), a village on Deulgaon Raja-Chikhli road. Two Shiva temples are located in Kothali (Jaipur) near Motala.

Police[link]

The district has five police subdivisions and twenty-six police stations.^[15]

Transport Office[link]

One Deputy Regional Transport Office is located in Buldhana district at District Headquarters. It enforces the Motor Vehicle Act and issues vehicle registration numbers in the district with the code MH-28.

Electricity[link]

There is no electrical generating station in the district, but there is a good electricity transmission and distribution network.

There are two 22O kV substations at Buldhana and Chikhli, with Akola-Chikhli 220 kV line, 132kV substations at Buldhana, Dusarbid, Khamgaon, Malkapur, Mehkar, Motala and Warwat Bakal. The 132 kV lines runs as Chikhli-Dusarbid, Buldhana Tap, Khamgaon-Malkapur, Khamgaon-Jalamb Relay, Khamgaon Tap, Chikhli-Mehkar, Mekhar-Malegaon (Washim), Warwat Bakal Tap. The 685 km long 400 kV Koradi-Bhusawal transmission line passes through the district at Warwat Bakal. ^[16]

The distribution comes under Amravati Zone and Buldhana Circle with Buldhana, Khamgaon, and Malkapur Divisions. Each subdivision caters to more nearby talukas and has 33KV distribution substations under them.^[17]

Irrigation[link]

The district comes under Buldhana Irrigation Project Circle along with Akola and Washim district. The circle comes under Vidarbha Irrigation Development Corporation, Nagpur. It has its Major Project division at Shegaon, Kadakpurna at Deulgaon Raja, Mun Project division at Khamgaon, and Minor Irrigation Division at Chikhli and Akola. ^[18]

The completed irrigation projects are Nalganga Project in Motala and a major project in Vaan having one-fourth of the benefit accrue to Akola district. Many further irrigation projects are under way or are in the planning stages.^[19]

Public Works Department[link]

The district comes under Amravati Public Works Region and Akola Public Works Circle. It has one Public Works division at Buldhana with subdivision at Buldhana, Chikhli, Mehkar, and Deulgaon Raja; and a second, Khamgaon division, with subdivisions at Khamgaon, Jalgaon Jamod, and Malkapur; plus the Buldhana District Mechanical Subdivision.

There are Road Project Subdivisions at Buldhana and Khamgaon under the Road Project Division of Akola. There is a separate Zilla Parishad Works Division at Buldhana with subdivisions at Buldhana, Kahmgaon, Mehkar, and Malkapur. ^[20] The department manages Government Rest houses at Buldhana, Khamgaon, Shegaon, Malkapur, Motala, Jalgaon Jamod, Sangrampur, Chikhli, Amdapur, Lavhala (Mehkar), Mehkar, Dongaon, Deulgaon Raja, Deulgaon Mahi, Sindkhed Raja, Lonar, and Nandura. ^[21]

Transport and travel[link]

Motor bus, jeep, two-wheeler and railway are the popular modes of transport.

There are many Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation bus stands in all towns of the district. There are State Transport bus depots at Buldhana, Malkapur, Chikhli, Mehkar, Khamgaon, Shegaon and Jalgaon-Jamod.

Railway[link]

Electrified double-line broad-gauge railway passes through Malkapur, Nandura, and Shegaon Tehsils. It is under the Bhusawal-Badnera Section of Bhusawal Division of the Central Railway. This main line was originally under the Great Indian Peninsula Railway and the branch line between Jalamb and Khamgaon was under the Khamgaon State Railway.

The railway stations in the district, with their codes, are Khamkhed (KMKD), Malkapur (MKU), Wadoda (WDD), Biswa Bridge (BIS), Nandura (NN), Kumgaon Burti (KJL), Jalamb Junction (JM), Khamgaon (KMN), Shegaon (SEG), and Shrikshetra Nagzari (NGZ).

A computerised railway reservation facility is available at Malkapur and Shegaon, while manual reservation facility is available at Buldhana City Booking Office, Khamgaon, Nandura, and Jalamb Junction.

Roads[link]

National Highway[link]

National Highway 6 - NH6 passes through Khamgaon, Nandura, and Malkapur towns in the district.

State highways[link]

The following state highways connect various talukas and towns in the district. Vehicles from Nagpur, Amravati and Akola pass through Khamgaon–Chikhli–Deulgaonraja while going towards Jalna–Aurangabad and Pune.

The important roads in the district are:

• State Highway 24: Ajanta (Aurangabad) - Madh - Padli - Buldhana - Warwand - Khamgaon - Shegaon - Deori (Akola)
• 171 Lonar - Mehkar - Janephal - Pathardi - Deulgaon Sakarsha - Atali - Temburna NH 6
• MH State Highway 173: Tunki - Bawanbir - Warwat - Manasgaon - Shegaon - Khamgaon -Undri - Amdapur - Lavhala - Sakharkhera - Dusarbid - Raheri - Jalna district
• 176 Deulgaon Raja - Chikhli - Buldhana - Motala - Parda - Wakodi - Malkapur
• 177 Sindkhed Raja - Jalna district
• 183 Deulgaon Raja - Sindkhed Raja - Bibi - Sultanpur
• 188 Parda - Rohinkhed - Thad - Dhamnagaon Badhe - Jalgaon district
• 190 Wakodi - Jambhuldhaba - Gaulkhed
• 193 Buldhana - Dhad - Mahora (Jalna)
• MH State Highway 194: (Jalgaon) - Pimpalgaon Kale - Khandvi - Jalgaon Jamod - Sungaon - Jamod - Tunki -Sonala - Hiwarkhed (Akola)
• MH State Highway 195: Burhanpur - Jalgaon Jamod - Sangrampur - Warwat Bakal - Telhara (Akola)
• 196 Motala - Fuli - Tarwadi - Lonwadi- Nandura - Zadegaon - Khandvi
• 198 Balapur (Akola) - Jawala - Shegaon
• 199 Warwand - Undri - Chinchpur - Ambetakli - Adgaon - Wadegaon - Akola
• 205 Chikhli - Amdapur
• 206 Chikhli - Lovhala - Mehkar - Ukli - Sonati - Washim district
• 207 Mehkar - Dongaon - Malegaon (Washim)

Major district roads[link]

• MDR 1 Tunki - Wasali - Ambabarva
• MDR 2 Kondari - Paturda - Kavthal - Bhendwal Bk - Khandvi
• MDR 7 Shegaon - Alasana - Kurkhed - Jalamb
• MDR 17 Shegaon - Zadegaon - Adsul - Padsul
• MDR 5 Jalamb - Matargaon - Bhendwal Bk - Niwana

Airport[link]

The nearest airport is at Aurangabad which is 150 km from district headquarters.

Culture[link]

There is a fair called Chaitra Masa Suklapaksha Navami at Shegaon on Rama Navami in Chaitra (March or April) each year.

Common folk arts are Bhajan (devotional singing), Kirtan (devotional chanting with musical instruments), and Gondhal (a complex art form involving ritual acts, dances, songs, and poems).

Residents of Buldhana are bilingual in Korku language, Hindi or Marathi language. Nihali language, a language isolate of India, is spoken by some 2,000 people (1991) in the Buldana district of Maharashtra.

Youth Hostel Buldhana is one of two youth hostels in Maharashtra and is located near Zilla Crida Sankulan with a 50-bed dormitory and five double rooms.

Education[link]

The district has many schools offering primary and secondary education. The schools follow mostly the SSC pattern of Maharashtra State. The colleges are affiliated to Amravati University, Amravati. Some of the colleges and schools in the district are as follows:

Colleges[link]

• M E S Arts and Commerce College, Mehkar
• Jijamata Maha Vidyalaya
• Arts College
• Government College of Education
• Bharat Junior College
• Aided Junior College
• Anuradha College of Engineering, Chikhli
• Anuradha College of Pharmacy, Chikhli
• Shri Shivaji Arts and Science College, Chikhli
• Shikshan Prasarak Mandal's Tatyasaheb Mahajan College of Arts and Commerce, Chikhli
• Late Sunil Ramsingh Chunaewale Ayurvedic College, Chikhli
• DEd College, Chikhli
• Anurdha Cosmetics college, Chikhli
• Janata Arts and Commerce College, Malkapur
• Shri Sant Gajanan Maharaj College of Engineering, Shegaon
• G B Murarka Arts and Commerce College, Shegaon
• Shri Pundalik Maharaj Mahavidyalaya, Nandura
• Government Polytechnic, Khamgaon
• Panchasheel Homeopathic Medical College, Khamgaon
• Govt. Industrial Training Institute, Khamgaon
• S.V.G.I. College of Agriculture (B.Sc. Agri), Jalgaon Jamod
• College of Agriculture Engineering (B.Tech), Jalgaon Jamod
• College of Horticulture (B.Sc. Horti), Jalgaon Jamod
• Shripad Krishna Kolhatkar College, Jalgaon-Jamod
• Vivekanand Jr. Collage, Hiwara Ashram
• Government ITI, Chikhli
• Law college, Khamgaon
• Surajdevi Mehta Mahilamahavidyalaya, Khamgaon
• Nutan Madhyamik Vidhyalaya Kingaon Raja
• Shree Shivaji Vidyalaya Deulgaon Mahi

Schools[link]

• Sharda Convent and Junior College, Buldhana
• St. Joseph's High School, Buldhana
• Liladhar Bhojraj Chandak Vidyalaya, Malkapur
• Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel High School, Lonar
• Shri Shivaji High School and Junior College, Buldhana
• Bharat Vidyalaya, Buldhana
• Amar Vidyalaya, Amdapur
• Aided High School, Buldhana
• Rukhai Kanya Vidyalaya
• Prabodhan Vidyalaya
• Shri Siddheshwar Viddyalaya and Junior College, Kolara (Chikhli)
• Adarsha Vidyalay Chikhli
• Takshashila High School, Chikhli
• Nutan Vidyalaya, Malkapur
• Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Shegaon
• Shri Shiv Shankar Vidhalay, Wankhed
• Kothari High School, Nandura
• Vivekanand Vidya Mandir and Junior College, Vivekanand Nagar
• Shri A K National High School and Junior College, Khamgaon
• Indira Gandhi Municipal High School, Khamgaon
• Maharashtra Vidyalaya, Khamgaon
• Z P High school and Junior College, Khamgaon
• Z P Girls High School, Khamgaon
• SWS Dnyanpeeth, Khamgaon
• Lions Dnyanpeeth, Khamgaon
• Technical Institute, Khamgaon
• New Era High School, Khamgaon
• Agriculture Technology School, Sagwan
• Jeevan Vikas Vidyalaya, Dudhalgaon BK, Malkapur
• Deulgaon Raja High School, Deulgaon Raja
• Shree. Shivaji Vidyalaya, Pimpalgaon BK, Deulgaon Raja
• Zilla Parishad High School, Sangrampur
• Vivekanand Vidhyalay and Junior College, Eklara
• Kids' Kingdom English School, Ghatpuri Road, Khamgaon

Notable people[link]

• Jijabai, mother of great King Chhtrapati Shivaji Maharaj and daughter of Lakhuji Jadhav
• Vishnu Bhikaji Kolte (1908–1998), Marathi literature researcher, former vice-chancellor of Nagpur University
• Lord Dr.Shukadas Maharaj Lives in Hiwara Ashram in Mehkar Tahshil,devoted his whole life for poor and needy people.Founder of Vivekanand Ashram.
• Nagorao Ghanashyam Deshpande (1909–2000), Sahitiya Academi Award Winner in Marathi in 1986.
• Shrikant Wagh Indian cricketer playing Twenty20 in Indian Premier League, season 2011 with Pune Warriors India

Places of interest[link]

• Lonar, site of Lonar crater lake and Lonar Sanctuary
• Sindkhed Raja, birthplace of Veer Mata Jijabai, mother of Chhatrapati Shivaji and palace of Lakhuji Jadhav
• Temple of Shri Renuka Devi in Chikhli
• Balaji Temple in Mehkar
• Balaji Temple in Deulgaon Raja
• Dargah of Hazrath Sailani Baba in Sailani near Raipur
• Shri Bapuji Maharaj in Malegaon
• Dnyanganga Sanctuary
• Ambabarva Sanctuary
• The world's biggest Hanuman idol 105 feet in Nandura
• Malegaon Gond Bapuji Maharaj Temple
• Palsi Supo Supoji Maharaj Temple
• Hanuman Mandir by Samarth Ramdas at Waghali, near Khamgaon
• Holy Buddha vihara garadgoan, near khamgaon

Anand-Sagar entrance.

• Kondhana Jagdamba Utsav Mandal in Mutthe-Layout, Buldhana

Kondhana Jagdamba Utsav Mandal in Mutthe-Layout Buldhana.

References[link]

External links[link]

• Buldhana district website
• Buldhana district map
• Gajanan Maharaj Temple
• Anuradha College of Engineering
• Lonar crater
• Jawahar navodaya vidyalaya, buldana at Shegaon
• Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Jalgaon Jamod
• vivekanandashramhiwara.org, Vivekanand Ashram, Hiwara Ashram, Tq. Mehakar.

	Jalgaon district	Burhanpur district, Madhya Pradesh	Amravati district
	Aurangabad		Akola district
		Buldhana district    East
	Jalna district	Hingoli district	Washim district

v t e Buldhana district Subdivisions and tehsils Buldhana Chikhli Deulgaon Raja Khamgaon Shegaon Malkapur Motala Nandura Mehkar Lonar Sindkhed Raja Jalgaon Jamod Sangrampur Cities and towns Buldhana Jamod Ladnapur Sonala Tunki Warwat Bakal Railway stations Jalamb Junction - Malkapur - Shegaon - Nandura - Khamgaon - Biswa Bridge - Khamkhed - Kumgaon Burti - Shrikshetra Nagzari - Wadoda Historical Sindkhed Raja Jamod Sakharkherda Shahapur Rohinkhed Geography Lonar crater lake Purna River Vaan River Painganga River Lok Sabha constituencies Buldhana Vidhan Sabha constituencies Malkapur Buldhana Chikhali Sindkhed Raja Mehkar Khamgaon Jalgaon (Jamod) Religious Shegaon - Shrikshetra Nagzari - Dhanora (Mahasiddha)

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

Raosaheb Ramrao Patil, better known as R. R. Patil (Marathi: रावसाहेब रामराव पाटील) (born August 16, 1957), is an Indian politician from the state of Maharashtra. He is a leader of the Nationalist Congress Party. He became Home Minister of Maharashtra for the second time after the 2009 Maharashtra assembly election victory of the Congress-NCP alliance. He is also the former Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra.

Biography and political life[link]

R. R. Patil, popularly known as “Aba”, was born on 16 August 1957 in the village of Anjani, in the Tasgaon taluka, Sangli district in the State of Maharashtra. He obtained a B.A. from Shantiniketan College Sangli as well as an LL.B.. He speaks Marathi, Hindi and English.

Still he has his own old house belonged to his ancestors in his village.

And still his family is living in the same house. The term "Simple Living and High Thinking" can be very well understood whenever we see this legendary mass leader in the history of India.

Fond of continuous but versatile reading makes him even more visionary, versatile, and outstanding in all aspects.

Always surrounded by party workers, volunteers, people of different fields like literature, art, science, most humble, and of course friend of all the friends.

People of Maharashtra call him as " A man of a Word "

Patil was a member of Sangli Zillah Parishad from 1979 to 1990, then was elected to the Maharashtra legislative assembly in 1990, 1995, 1999, and 2004, representing Tasgaon, in Sangli district. He became the Chief Whip of the Congress Party in the assembly as well as the chairman of the public accounts committee of the assembly in 1996–97 and 1998–99.

On November 1, 2004, he was sworn in as the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra. He is the chief of the Nationalist Congress Party's Maharashtra unit and NCP legislative party in Maharashtra. He was also the Home Minister of Maharashtra in the previous government.

He performed a hunger-strike or fast, threatening to carry it to death to force the state government to act in creating a sufficient infrastructure to store and use the water of the Krishna River Valley project.^{[citation needed]} He was the founding Chairman of the Kisan Urban Credit Society and also established a Tasgaon farmers sales purchase society, the Swami Ramanand Bharat Cooperative Cotton Mill, and the Tasgaon Taluka Farmers Cooperative Sugar Factory at Turchi, Tasgaon.

Patil has travelled widely within Europe as a result of his positions, and visited China at the invitation of the Communist Party of China.

He's well known in all Maharashtra as a " Most Reliable, Noble , and Kind Hearted Leader with a great Vision for the future of rural as well as urban community.

His decisions during his terms in government as a Minister of Various departments are proven to be long term effective on the State's Socio-Economic development. After sworn in as a Home Minister in 2009, he has also taken guardianship of naxalized district Gadchiroli. Step by step, the development works undertaken during his tenure has increased faith of localities in democracy. His plan of maintaining villages free from internal conflicts through Mahatma Gandhi Tantamukt Gaon is worldwide appreciated.

The International Association of Lions Organization has recognized his wider spread social contribution with Medal of Merit for the year 2005–06 and he was also awarded Maharashtra Times Nayak by Times Group Daily Maharashtra.^{[citation needed]}

Controversy[link]

His comments in the aftermath of the November 2008 Mumbai attacks, have drawn severe criticism for downplaying the gravity of the situation. He was quoted as saying, "They (the terrorists) came to kill 5,000 people but we ensured minimal damage". Sources close to him have argued that his comments are being taken out of context and that he did not intend to downplay the grievous attack.

He was forced to resign on 1 December 2008 after further remarks on the attacks. When asked at a press conference whether the terror strike was an intelligence failure, Patil said, "It is not like that. In big cities like this, small incidents do happen. It's is not a total failure." Patil's words drew flak from many quarters. Mumbai residents who saw him say this on television or were told about it by reporters pointed out the irony of politicians making such statements after being provided high security.^[1][2][3][4]

He was also caught on camera talking with aides of a known Pakistan based terrorist.^[5]

References[link]

External links[link]

• Aaba Patil's Blog
• "R R Patil to be new Maharashtra Dy CM" - rediff.com article dated October 29, 2004
• "R R Patil elected new deputy CM of Maharashtra" - HindustanTimes.com article dated October 29, 2004
• Profile of R R Patil - HindustanTimes.com dated October 29, 2004
• "R R Patil to be Maharashtra Dy CM" - Mid-Day article dated October 29, 2004
• "R R Patil to become Maha DyCM" -
• Official website of R.R.Patil

Times of India article dated October 29, 2004isters of Indian states

Dilip Kumar
Dilip Kumar in 2006.
Born	Yusuf Khan (1922-12-11) December 11, 1922 (age 89) Peshawar, North-West Frontier Province, British India
Residence	Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Other names	Dilip Sahaab
Occupation	Actor, Producer, Director, Politician
Years active	1944–1998 (retired)
Religion	Islam
Spouse	Saira Banu (1966-present)
Signature

Dilip Kumar, born Muhammad Yusuf Khan on 11 December 1922, is an Indian actor and a former Member of Parliament. He is commonly known as "Tragedy King",^[1] and is described as "the ultimate method actor" by Satyajit Ray.^[2]

Starting his career with Jwar Bhata in 1944, Kumar's career has spanned five decades and over 60 films. He is widely considered to be one of the greatest actors in the history of Hindi cinema.^[3][4][5] Kumar was the first actor to receive a Filmfare Best Actor Award and holds the record for the most number of Filmfare Awards won for that category with Shahrukh Khan; eight wins.^[6] He starred in films of a variety of genres such as the romantic Andaz (1949), the swashbuckling Aan (1952), the dramatic Devdas (1955), the comical Azaad (1955), the historical Mughal-e-Azam (1960) and the social Ganga Jamuna (1961).

In 1976, Kumar took a five-year break from film performances. In 1981, he returned with a character role in the film Kranti and continued his career playing central character roles in films such as Shakti (1982), Karma (1986) and Saudagar (1991). His last film was Qila in 1998. The Government of India honoured him with the Padma Bhushan in 1991 and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1994 for his contributions towards Indian cinema. Dilip Kumar has acted with actress Vyjayanthimala the most, where they both had acted seven films together including the former's home production Gunga Jumna resulting great on-screen chemistry and alleged affair between them.^[7][8]

Early life[link]

Dilip Kumar was born as Muhammad Yusuf Khan on 11 December 1922,^[9] in Peshawar, British India (now in Pakistan). He was born to a Hindko speaking Peshawari family. His father, Lala Ghulam Sarwar, was a fruit merchant who owned orchards in Peshawar and Nashik in Maharashtra, India. The family relocated to Bombay (now Mumbai) in the late 1920s. Dilip Kumar started working as a canteen supplier in Pune circa 1940.^[10]

In 1943, actress Devika Rani, and her second husband Svetoslav Roerich spotted Khan in Aundh military canteens, Pune.^[10] and helped Khan's entry into the Bollywood film industry. Hindi author Bhagwati Charan Varma gave him the screen name Dilip Kumar and offered him the leading role in his film Jwar Bhata (1944).

Career[link]

His first film with Nisar Bhai and Hamed Bhai Jwar Bhata was released in 1944 which went unnoticed. His first major hit was the 1947 film Jugnu. He went onto appear in many hit films including Mela (1948), Andaz (1949), Deedar (1951), Devdas (1955), Yahudi (1958) and Madhumati (1958). These films established his screen image as the "Tragedy King".^[11] Together with Raj Kapoor and Dev Anand he was the biggest star in Bollywood in the 1950s. He starred alongside Raj Kapoor in Andaz (1949) and Dev Anand in Insaniyat (1955). He formed popular on-screen pairings with many of the top actresses at the time including Nargis, Kamini Kaushal, Meena Kumari, Madhubala and Vyjanthimala.

Depressed after playing many tragic roles his psychiatrist suggested he take on ligher roles which he played in films such as Aan (1952), Azaad (1955) and Kohinoor (1960).^[12] In 1960 he portrayed Prince Salim in the historical film Mughal-e-Azam which as of 2008 was the second highest grossing film in Hindi film history.^[13]

In 1961 he produced and starred in Ganga Jamuna in which he and his real-life brother Nasir Khan played the title roles. This was the only film he produced. In 1962 British director David Lean offered him the role of Sherif Ali in his 1962 film Lawrence of Arabia, but Kumar declined the part.^[14] The role eventually went to Omar Sharif, the Egyptian actor. His next film Leader (1964) was below average at the box office.^[15] In 1967 Dilip Kumar played a dual role of twins separated at birth in the hit film Ram Aur Shyam. His career slumped in the 1970s with films like Dastaan (1970) and Bairaag (1976), the latter in which he played triple roles failing at the box office.^[16][17] He took a five year hiatus from films from 1976 to 1981.^[10]

In 1981 he returned with the multi-starrer Kranti which was the biggest hit of the year.^[18] He went onto play character roles in hit films including Shakti (1982), Vidhaata (1982), Mashaal (1984) and Karma (1986).^[18] In 1991 he starred alongside veteran actor Raaj Kumar in Saudagar which was his last successful film.^[19] In 1993 he won the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award. In 1996 he was attached to make his directorial debut with a film titled Kalinga but the film was shelved. In 1998 he made his last film appearance in the unsuccessful film Qila where once again he played dual roles as an evil landowner and his twin brother investigating his death. His films Mughal-e-Azam and Naya Daur were fully colorized and re-released in 2004 and 2008 respectively.

Films refused[link]

Dilip Kumar was very choosy, and turned down lead roles in many films which eventually were released to great box office success, including Lawrence of Arabia, Pyaasa, The Rains Came and Sangam.

Voices[link]

During his Bollywood career, Dilip Kumar was most often voiced by Mohammed Rafi. Others who provided his voice were:

• Talat Mahmood
• Mukesh (until 1958), who was also the main voice of Kumar's competitor Raj Kapoor.
• Kishore Kumar was chosen to playback the song "Saala Main To Saab Bangaya" for the film Sagina(1974).

Public life[link]

Kumar has been active in efforts to bring the people of India and Pakistan closer together. He has been a member of the upper house of Parliament since 2000.^[10]

He was awarded the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1994. In 1998 he was awarded the Nishan-e-Imtiaz, the highest civilian award conferred by the government of Pakistan. He is the second Indian to receive the award. At the time of the Kargil War, Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray demanded Kumar return his Nishan-e-Imtiaz, arguing that "He must return Nishan-e-Imtiaz following that country's blatant aggression on Indian soil."^[20] Kumar refused, saying:

"This award was given to me for the humane activities to which I have dedicated myself. I have worked for the poor, I have worked for many years to bridge the cultural and communal gaps between India and Pakistan. Politics and religion have created these boundaries. I have striven to bring the two people together in whatever way I could. Tell me, what does any of this have to do with the Kargil conflict?"^[21]

Personal life[link]

Kumar married actress and beauty queen Saira Banu in year 1966 when he was aged 44 and she was 22. Dilip Kumar secretly married a pakistani woman Asma in the early eighties but divorced her when Saira Banu refused to accept the marriage^[22]. His brothers are Nasir Khan, Ehsan Khan and Aslam Khan.^[23] Kumar's younger brother Nasir Khan was also an actor and appeared opposite him in Ganga Jamuna (1961) and Bairaag (1976).

Dilip Kumar on Twitter[link]

Around September 10, 2011 it surfaced that the health of Dilip Kumar is worsening. Some incredible tweets even mistakenly spread news of his death.^[24] Later Dilip Kumar's wife Saira Banu, made a public statement that the actor is good in health and in high spirits. Finally, Dilip Kumar launched his Twitter account. His first tweet was on his 89th Birthday on 11 Dec. 2011. His tweets are eloquent and inspirational.

Legacy and awards[link]

Dilip Kumar is widely considered to be one of the greatest actors in the history of Hindi cinema.^[3][4][5] Kumar holds the Guinness World Record for having won the maximum number of awards by an Indian actor.^[25] He has received many awards throughout his career, including 8 Filmfare Best Actor awards and 19 nominations.^[26] He was honoured with the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 1993.^[27] The Government of India honoured him with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1994^[21] — the highest award for cinematic excellence in India. In 1980, he was appointed Sheriff of Mumbai, an honorary position. In 1991, he was awarded Padma Bhushan from the Government of India.^[28] In 1997, Kumar was awarded, Nishan-e-Imtiaz, a high civilian award conferred by the Government of Pakistan.

He received in 1997 the NTR National Award. He was also awarded CNN-IBN Indian of the Year - Lifetime Achievement Award in 2009. From some years large section of his fan and people in general are demanding Bharat Ratna for Kumar.

Filmography[link]

References[link]

External links[link]

• Dilip Kumar at the Internet Movie Database

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Dilip Kumar

• Dilip Kumar Twitter Account