Chandrapur
Chandrapur
Chandrapur | |
|---|---|
city | |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Dr. Suresh Mahakulkar, (2007) altitude = 189 |
| Population (2001) | |
| • Total | 289'450 population_density = |
Chandrapur is city and a municipal council in Chandrapur district in the state of Maharashtra, India. It is also the headquarters of Chandrapur district.
The city of Chandrapur has ancient temples of the goddess Mahakali and of Anchaleshwar, a form of the god Shiva.
Chandrapur is also known as Chanda. The region is very rich in mineral wealth such as iron ore, limestone and coal. Many cement factories are located in this region. Due to large number of coal mines present around the city, the city is also known as City of Black Gold.
Narsimha Rao, a prime minister of India, was stationed at Chandrapur during the days when Nizam ruled Hyderabad. Rao got admission to Nagpur on recommendations of one of the prominent advocates of the region, Balwantrao Deshmukh. Balwantrao Deshmukh was a follower of Bal Gangadhar Tilak. It was due to his efforts that Tilak visited Chandrapur and laid the foundation stone of a school "Lokmanya Tilak Vidyalaya". Shantaram Potdukhe, one of the ministers of state having charge of finance portfolio in Narasimha Rao's government, is from Chandrapur. He was the deputy of the current Prime minister Manmohan Singh. Mohan Bhagwat, senior functionary of Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh, is also from Chandrapur.
Geography
Chandrapur is located at 19°57′N 79°18′E / 19.95°N 79.3°E.[1] It has an average elevation of 189 metres (620 feet).
The city is located on the bank of "Erai" river, another river flowing through the city is "Zarpath". The northern portion of the city is high and southern is low as per topographical map i.e. 56m. The old city is surrounded by 4 very big walls. The gaontidev Nullah is originating form the upland of CTPS. The Mucchi Nullah is originating form upland of Ranger college. This Noullah is merge in the tank "Ramala Talao" located in the heart of city. River Erai has a long history of floods, the flood marks are appeared on the fort wall of city, i.e. Pathanpura gate. The North South length of Chandrapur city is about 10 km and East West is 7 km. In the north of city, there is a dam made on river Erai, having the capacity of 207 million cubic meter. Foundation stone of the city was laid down by Khandkya Ballalshah, a Gond king.
'Physical setting of Chandrapur city & surrounding region: 'The city of Chandrapur is located on 19.57’ north latitude and 79.18’ east longitudes in the eastern Maharashtra, it is situated at 189.90 meter above form the mean sea level. Altitude of city railway station is of 189.90 meter above MSL. Area of the city region is about 70.02 km². The city is at Southeast direction from Nagpur city, on the Delhi-Chennai railway route. About 30 express trains stop here every day of up and down route. Here is a broad gauge double line railway track. Another railway route is here known as Gondia-Chandafort railway route, on which four trains operate every day. Mul, Sindewahi, Nagbhir and Bramhapuri are the major stations on this route in Chandrapur district. The north-south length of the city is about 10.6 km, while the east-west length is about 7.6 km
History
The district Chandrapur was earlier known as 'Chanda' according to tradition and legend the name of the place was 'Lokapura' which was first changed to 'Indpur' and subsequently to Chandrapur. During the British colonial period it was called Chanda district, which was again changed to its original name 'Chandrapur ' around 1964. Other places of the region in ancient times include Wairangad, Kosala, Bhadravati and Markanda. Hindu and Buddhist kings are said to have ruled the area for a long time, Later on Gonds overtook Mana kings who ruled Chandrapur around 9th century and Gond Kings ruled the area till 1751 after which Maratha period started. Raghuji Bhosale, the last King of the dynasty, died heirless in 1853 and Nagpur province together with Chandrapur was declared annexed to British Empire. On 15 October 1956Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar visited to Chandrapur. In 1854, Chandrapur formed an independent district and in 1874, it comprised three tehsils: Viz Mul, Warora and Bramhpuri. In 1874, however, upper Godavai district of Madras was abolished and four tehsils were added to Chandrapur to form one tehsil with Sironcha as its headquarters. In 1895, the headquarters of one tehsil transferred to MUl to Chandrapur. A new tehsil with headquarter at Gadchoroli was created in 1905 by transfer of zamindari estates from Bramhpuri and Chandrapur tehsil. An small zamindari tract from Chandrapur district as transferred to newly from districts in 1907. In the same year and area of about 1560 km². comprising of three divisions of the lower Sironcha tehsil namely Cherla, Albak nad Nugir were transferred to Madras State.
No major changes occurred in the boundaries of the district or its tehsils between 1911-1955. Consequent upon reorganization of the states in 1956, the district was transferred from Madhya Pradesh to Bombay state. In the same Rajura tehsil, a part of Adilabad district of Hydrabad state, was transferred to Nanded district subsequently it was transferred to Chandrapur district in 1959. The district became part of the Maharashtra since its creation in May 1960. For administrative convenience and industrial and agricultural development , this district was again divided into Chandrapur and Gadchiroli district after 1981 census. Chandrapur district now comprises the tehsil of Chandrapur, Bhadravati, Warora, Chimur, Nagbhir, Bramhpuri, Sindhewahi, Mul, Gondpipri, Pomburna, Saoli, Rajura, Korpana, Jivati and Balharshah.
Demographics
As of 2001 India census,[2] Chandrapur had a population of about 400000. Males constitute 50% of the population and females 50%. Chandrapur has an average literacy rate of 73%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with male literacy of 81% and female literacy of 65%. 12% of the population is under 6 years of age.
Industries
Chandrapur Super Thermal Power Station (CSTPS) is the biggest pit head Thermal Power Station of the MSPGCL and the largest in India among all the state Electricity Boards. The power plant, with a capacity of 2340 MW is appoximately 5 km from the city. It is the first ever thermal power plant in India to have commissioned 500 MW Unit(In year 1991-92). Currently there are 4 units of 210 MW and 3 units of 500 MW each. The mammoth coal mines in an around the city also contribute to the heavy industrialization of the city. These coal mines are administered by WCL(Western Coal-fields Ltd.) The city also boasts of having the largest paper manufacturing unit of Ballarpur Industries Limited (BILT), largest manufacturer and exporter of paper in India, in the adjoining Ballarpur. The city houses various cement factories in its vicinity. Prominent among these are the ones established by Manikgarh Cement, Ulltratech Cement (formerly L&T Cement), Associated Cement Companies (ACC) and Gujarat Ambuja (Maratha Cement Works). Various other major industries include a ferro-manganese and silico-manganese plant of Maharashtra Elektrosmelt Ltd. (MEL), a subsidiary of Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL). The neighbouring Warora region has a manufacturing plant, for electrical household appliances, owned by Videocon. About 6000 small and big scale industries are located at chandrapur.
Places of Interest
Fort of Gond Raja, Mahakali Temple and Anchaleshwar Temple (Lord Shiva) are the main places to visit in Chandrapur. The fort has four gates (Jatpura, Anchaleshwar, Pathanpura and Bimba) and 4 windows. This fort divides this city in two parts. Tadoba-Andheri Tiger Reserve also known as Tadoba National Park is located approximately 45 km from the city. The major attraction in this place is the presence of tigers. The large herds of Chital and the stately Samber are often seen in the forest. Other attractions include the elusive barking Deer, the fleet footed Chausinga, the majestic Gaur, the robust Nilgai, the shy Sloth Bear, the whistling wild dogs, the omnipresent wild Boar and stealthy Leopard etc. Other places to visit near Chandrapur include the famous Jain Temple, which has beautiful sculptures, in the neighbouring Bhadravati region. This temple is said to be extremely old, but exact period when it was built is not known. There are several other idols in the temples, which were recovered after digging the earth. The community development project started by Baba Amte at Anandwan (Forest of Bliss) in the neighbouring Warora region is also worth visiting. The one man art gallery which has created awareness amongst the local population belongs to Mr.Manohar Sapre.He had been instrumental in carving and giving a distinctive facelift to the artefacts found in the Jungles.The driftwood have been wonderfully nurtured,and given a new shape which is worth visiting.
Climate
Chandrapur is known for hot and dry climate. Humidity is very less in this region. Temperature starts decreasing from the month of October with December being the coldest of all with minimum temperature of 11.6°C and maximum of 28.2°C. The Southern region is warmer than the Northern. The lowest recorded temperature is 3°C (Northern region) and 8°C (Southern). The daily mean temperature starts rising from the month of February which continues till June. May is most hot with mean maximum temperature of 45°C and minimum of 28°C. Often temperature rises up to 46º and is amongst the highest recorded in the South Asian region. Highest temperature ever recorded here is 47.6°C on June 3, 1995. It starts getting a bit humid from June due to the onset of monsoon, which lasts till September.
The average annual rainfall is about 1420 mm. The Eastern region receives more rainfall than Westermonsoon season [Jun-Sep], which exceeds 70%, but it falls down rapidly in Summer [Feb-May] when it is a mere n. Average number of rainy days is 60 to 65 per year. The humidity is relatively more during the 20%.
The prominent wind direction is from South to North. In Summer the wind direction is from East to south and in Monsoon from South to East. During Winter [October-January], the wind direction changes from North to East.