Phaltan
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
This article may contain unsourced peacock terms that merely promote the subject without imparting verifiable information. Please remove or replace such wording, unless you can cite independent sources that support the characterization. |
 |
This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (November 2009) |
| Phaltan | |
|
|
|
| Coordinates | 17°59′N 74°26′E / 17.98°N 74.43°E |
| Country |  India |
| State | Maharashtra |
| District(s) | Satara |
| Population | 50,798 (2001[update]) |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
| Area • Elevation |
• 568 m (1,864 ft) |
Phaltan is a city, a taluka and a municipal council in Satara district in the Indian state of Maharashtra. The town is about 59 km north-east of the city of Satara. Phaltan has one of the eleven Industrial Training Institutes of the district.
Contents |
[edit] History
The Principality of Phaltan was one of the non-salute princely states of British India, under the central division of the Bombay Presidency, under the States of the Kolhapur-Dekkan Residency, Satara Agency and later the Deccan States Agency. It was one of the Satara Jagirs. The state measured 397 square miles (1,028 km²) in area. According to the 1901 census, the population showed a decrease of 31% in the decade at 45,739. The population of the town itself was 9,512 in that year. In 1901, the state enjoyed revenue estimated at £13,000- and paid a tribute to the British Raj of £640. Its flag was a rectangular bicolor, orange over green.
The Hindu ruling family was descended from Naik Nimbraj I Nimbalkar (1284-1291), a Maratha who received a grant from a Mughal emperor in the 14th century. The ruler had the title of Raja, or Naik Nimbalkar. The first wife, SaiBai, of 17th century emperor Shivaji was from Phaltan. Major HH Raja Bahadur Shrimant Malojirao Mudhojirao Nanasaheb Naik Nimbalkar IV was the last Ruler of Phaltan.
Phaltan acceded to the Dominion of India on 8 March 1948 and is currently a part of Maharashtra state..[1]
It is also an important centre of Mahanubhav (Jaykrishni) Sampraday.
[edit] Geography
Phaltan is located at 17°59′N 74°26′E / 17.98°N 74.43°E[2]. It has an average elevation of 568 metres (1863 feet).
Places of interest around Phaltan are: Airport (Vimantal); Maljai Mandir; Saibaba Mandir; Nimblak (which has been named after Naik-Nimbalkars as Nimblak) & Nimblak Naka the oldest place in ancient Phaltan; Dhumalwadi (15 km from Phaltan, famous for waterfall); Jabreshwar Mandir. There are some forts around Phaltan such as Wadgaum Nimbalkar, Santoshgad, Varugad, Mahimangad & Vardhangad. The fort Vardhangad can be reached from Satara also.
Phaltan's climate is an inland climate of Maharashtra. The temperature has a relatively high range between 15°C to 45°C.[citation needed] Summer in Phaltan is comparatively hot, and dry, compared to neighbouring inland cities. Maximum temperatures exceed 40°C every summer and typically range between 38 to 45°C. Lows during this season are around 25°C to 28°C.
The city receives very less rainfall from June to September and it is declared as drought prone place by Government. City sometimes gets nil rainfall during the rainy season.
Phaltan experiences winter from November to February. The winter temperatures are significantly higher compared to other cities in Maharashtra such as Pune and Nasik. Lows range from 14°C to 16°C while highs are in the range of 29°C to 32°C. Humidity is low in this season making weather much more pleasant.
Phaltan comes in draught prone area and going towards south and south-west of Phaltan, dry area begins. Water supply to Phaltan for drinking and irrigation is done by water from Veer Dam on Nira river situated on boundary line of Pune and Satara district. Nira Right Bank Canal (NRBC) flows through Phaltan making it a partially green town.
[edit] Demographics
As of 2001[update] India census[3], Phaltan had a population of 50,798. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Phaltan has an average literacy rate of 75%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 80%, and female literacy is 70%. In Phaltan, 12% of the population is under 6 years of age.
[edit] Culture
Phaltan is a very ancient city. It has a Temple of Shri Ram who is said to be Gram daivat of the city. There is a Temple of lord shiva, which is called as Jabreshwar, this temple has beautiful stone carvings. Other temples in the city are Maljai Temple, Nageshwar temple, Sri Dnyaneshwar Mandir, Upalekar Maharaj Samadhi Mandir, Haribaba Samadhi mandir. The city has a mosque called Badshai Masjid. Festivals like Diwali, Ganesh chaturthi, Nagpanchami are celebrated here, mainly. In the month of November or December, the annual fair will be celebrated which is called as Shri Ram Rathostav. The statues of Lord Sri Ram and Sita will be installed on a rath and it will be taken all over the city, which is called as Nagarpradakshina. Now near Air Port the construction of new court building is going on. The old court building is the Rajmahal of Naik Nimbalkar Family. Now in old building family want to form new Museum. This museum will help to give information about the history of Phaltan.
Places of Entertainment at Phaltan are: Namvaibhav Theater; Rajvaibhav Theater; Indira Gandhi Sanskritik Bhavan.
Places of shopping are: Sriram Bazar; Shops in Ambedkar chowk and Shankar market.
[edit] Notable
- Phaltan Tehsil has two Sugar Factories viz. New Phaltan Sugar Works Ltd., Sakharwadi and Shri Ram Sahakari Sakhar Karkhana Pvt. Ltd., Phaltan.
Sakharwadi's Sugar Factory is 2nd Sugar Factory of Maharashtra and moreover 1st Private Sugar Factory in Maharashtra State.
Sakharwadi's Sugar Factory is currently run by Ugar Sugar Works. Phaltan's sugar factory is not in working state for past few years because of economical and political issues.
Cummins India is constructing a huge factory at Phaltan MIDC, Nimbhore. Most of the Pune operations of the company will be shifted to Phaltan shortly.
[edit] Transport
Mostly local transport is done by Government Buses & some private vehicles, auto rickshaws, two wheelers, nowadays roads are quite good. Traffic is quite chaotic with no signals. People rarely follow traffic rules. Most of the people use bicycle or two wheelers as a mode of transportation. The city has a nonfunctional airport, 2 km from the city but there is no flight landing here. State transport to major cities like Mumbai, Pune, Nasik etc. is also available from the Central Bus Stand. Few Private buses also have daily service to Pune, Mumbai every night with very affordable rates. There is no railway connected to Phaltan but many people daily uses the near by railway station Lonand to go to Mumbai and Kolhapur side
[edit] Education
Phaltan has a significant footprint in the area of education. Mudhoji Naik Nimbalkar, one of the rulers of Phaltan started Mudhoji High School and Junior College way back in 1893. It was one of the first schools in Maharashtra State where Girls were allowed to take education. Apart from Mudhoji High School, Phaltan has Yashwantrao Chavan College, Mudhoji College, Kamala Nimbkar Balbhavan and various other private schools running in the city. From 2007, the construction of Law college is going on at Girvi Naka. One new English Medium School has been started in the Phaltan. So there are currently 2 English medium schools in Phaltan - Shrimant Shivajiraje English Medium School (SSEMS) and Brilliant Academy. Recently in last two years, Shrimant Shivajiraje English Medium School is started a CBSE syllabus for its English Medium School. There is government D.Ed. collage only for the girls and one of the D.Ed. Collages in Maharashatra since last more than 35 years. Other than this, there are few private D.Ed. and B.Ed. collages in Phaltan and around Phaltan.
Phaltan is also the home of the Nimbkar Agricultural Research Institute, focussing on agriculture and renewable energy. The Institute was recently the recipient of a Globe Award in Stockholm.[1]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ This article incorporates text from the Encyclopædia Britannica, Eleventh Edition, a publication now in the public domain.
- ^ Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Phaltan
- ^ "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 2004-06-16. http://web.archive.org/web/20040616075334/http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999. Retrieved 2008-11-01.
[edit] External links
| This Satara district, Maharashtra, India location article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
