Khadki

There is also an Andean instrument called the Kirki.

Khadki
—  neighbourhood  —
Khadki Location of Khadki in Maharashtra and India
Coordinates	18°33′46″N 73°50′27″E
Country	India
State	Maharashtra
District(s)	Pune
Population	76,608 (2001)
Time zone	IST (UTC+05:30)
Area • Elevation	• 570 metres (1,870 ft)

Khadki (Marathi: खडकी) is a city neighbourhood of Pune. It has an army base, two ordinance factories and several breweries.

Referred as Kirkee during British Raj, its borders are flanked by two other large army establishments - the College of Military Engineering and the Bombay Engineering Group. It also has a war cemetery (Kirkee War Cemetery) and a war memorial. It has a large market—Khadki Bazaar—and a railway station. Khadki is also known as a bastion of hockey. The local Field Hockey and Association Football matches are held on the CAFVD Sports Stadium in front of the Khadki Railway Station

History

Khadki was the site of the Battle of Khadki, fought between the British East India Company and the Marathas in 1817 in which Baji Rao, the Peshwa ruler was defeated. Soon after the war, the British set up a cantonment here. It then became the base of the Royal Regiment of Artillery's 79 (Khadki) Commando Battery. World War I Field Marshal William Birdwood, 1st Baron Birdwood was born in Khadki.

The well known Indian hockey player and former India captain, Dhanraj Pillai grew up here. Besides, many hockey players who represented India were from Khadki.

Khadki Railway Station

Further information: Khadki Station

Khadki Railway Station is on the Mumbai - Pune Railway route. It is owned by central railways department of Indian Railways. Sinhagad Express, Sahyadri Express, Deccan Express, Koyna Express and Mumbai - Chennai Express have their halt at this station. It has four platforms, six lines and one footbridge and is electrified station. The nearest railway station is Pune Railway Station and nearest airport is Pune International Airport at Lohegaon (Viman Nagar). The Pichola offers accommodation which is just 4 KM away from the station. This is a Major halt for Military. This makes this an important station on Pune Suburban Railway. This station is to the east of Khadki Auto Rickshaw Stand and is near to Khadki Bazaar. This Station was built for access to Khadki Cantonment (Kirkee Cantonment). Today also this station is mostly used for Indian Army.

Kirkee cantonment

Kirkee War Cemetery

Kirkee War Cemetery

The Khadki (Kirkee) Cantonment is housed here, which also known for Kirkee War Cemetery, it commemorates nearly 2000 soldiers who died during wars fought in the period of 1914-1918. Their graves are currently located in various locations in India and Pakistan. Located nearby is another memorial dedicated to about 193 soldiers of East and West African origin. These soldiers had lost their lives during the period of 1939-1945 in various non-operational zones around the country.

Khadki also has two major Ordnance Factories - Ammunition Factory Khadki and High Explosives Factory.

Demographics

As of 2001 India census, Khadki had a population of 76,608. Males constitute 56% of the population and females 44%. Khadki has an average literacy rate of 80%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 85%, and female literacy is 74%. In Khadki, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Education

The town has Symbiosis Institute of Management Studies (SIMS), at nearby Range Hills, Khadki has the following convent schools

• St. Joseph's - one for Boys and another for Girls
• All Saints.
• Range Hills Secondary School, Range Hills

See also

• Pune Cantonment
• Pune
• Pune Suburban Service

References

1. Khadki Railway Station

External links

• Kirkee war Cemetery
• Image set Kirkee war Cemetery