Akola
 | This article may require copy editing for grammar, style, cohesion, tone, or spelling. (November 2008) |
Akola
Akola अकोला | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Madan Bhargad |
| Population (2007) | |
| • Total | 443,184 |
| Website | akola.nic.in |
Akola (Hindi/Marathi: अकोला) is a municipal corporation and important historical, cultural, political, religious, industrial and agricultural city in the state of Maharashtra located in the Vidarbha region in central India. It is located around 600km east of Mumbai (former "Bombay") and 250km west of Nagpur. Akola is the headquarter of Akola District located in Amravati Division. Akola district forms the central part of Amravati division, which corresponds to the former British India province of Berar. The district of Akola comprises 7 talukas namely Akot, Telhara, Akola, Balapur, Patur, Barshitakli and Murtijapur.
Akola District has an area of about 54.31 square kilometres and population of 1,629,305 (2001 census). Marathi is the most popularly spoken language, though English and Hindi are also widely used. Akola District is bounded on the north and to the east by Amravati District, to the south by Washim District, and to the west by Buldhana District.
Akola (also called Cotton city) is renowned for its cotton production and is the largest cotton producing district in India. The city is also famous for its pulses (dal), oil and textile mills. Akola is also renowned for its medical facilities. It is a major centre for advanced medical treatments, such as The Elizarov technique, IVF. Major hospitals in Akola include the Civil Hospital, Chaudhary Hospital and Akola Critical Care Unit.
Dainik Deshonnati, one of the highest circulated and leading Marathi newspaper in Vidharbha region originated from Akola. Other prominent newspapers published from Akola include Lokmat Samachar and Dainik Matrubhumi.
History
Akola District along with the rest of the Berar province was part of the legendary kingdom of Vidarbha mentioned in the Mahabharata. Berar also formed part of the Mauryan Empire during the reign of Asoka (272 to 231 BCE). Berar later 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 Ala ud din 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. The Mughals ruled the Berar province during 17th century. 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.
But the rise of Maratha Empire (from 1674 to 1760) under the command of Chhatrapati Shivaji succeeded by his son Sambhaji and grandson Shahu brought the whole Berar province including Akola district under the Maratha Empire in and around 1734. In 1749 at the time of his death, Shahu appointed the Peshwa as the head of the Maratha Empire with certain conditions to follow. The loss in the third battle of Panipat in 1761 crippled the Maratha empire and corroded the power of Peshwa forever. But the Berar province still remained under the Marathas.
The Battle of Argaon, (or Adgaon near Akot) in took place on 28 November 1803 between the British under the command of Governor Arthur Wellesley and the forces of Maratha under Bhonsle of Nagpur during Second Anglo-Maratha War. In the Third Anglo-Maratha War the last Peshwa, Baji Rao II, was defeated by the British. In 1853, Akola 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 Akola district being included in West Berar. In 1903 Berar was leased to the Nizam of Hyderabad by the British East India Company in return of the debt.
After India's Independence in 1947, the states and provinces were reorgnaised in 1956. Berar province was divided among different states. Akola district became a part of bilingual Bombay State which was further divided into two states in 1960. Akola district became a part of the new Maharashtra State.
Many old forts from the historic past can still be seen in Akola district. Some of these are Narnala fort, Akot Fort, Akola fort (see in attached photo) and Balapur Fort.
Geography and Climate
The location of Akola city is latitude 20.7° North and longitude 77.07° East.
Akola city is located at an altitude of 925ft (282m) above the mean sea level. The climate is tropical and people mostly use cotton clothes. Akola has a National Weather Station which serves as the local weather center for Akola. Annual temperatures range from a high of 48°C (118°F) to a low of 10°C (50°F). Akola lies on the Tropic of Cancer and it is very hot during summer, especially in May, though the nights are cool. The annual rainfall averages 850mm. Most of the rainfall occurs in the monsoon season between June and September but some rain also falls during January and February.
On the north, Akola district is bounded by the Melghat hills and forest region. Morna river flows through Akola city. Purna River forms a part of the north boundary of the district and the top north portion of the district lies within its watershed along with Aas river and Shahnur river. Vaan River forms a part of the northwest boundary of the district after entering from the Amravati district. Maan River drains the southwestern portion of the district. Morna River drains the mid-south portion of the district, while the southeast is drained by the Katepurna and Uma rivers.
Some of the rivers in Akola and their tributaries are Purna, Uma, Katepurna, Shahanur, Morna, Mann, Aas and Vaan. There are many dams in Akola district. Mahan located om Katepurna river is one of them.
Demographics
As of 2001[update] India census[1], Akola city had a population of 399,978. Of the total population, males constitutes around 52% and females around 48%. Thirteen per cent of the total population is under the age of 6 years.
Akola has an average literacy rate of around 75%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with 55% of the males and 45% of females literates.
Local Government
Akola is a rapidly developing and growing market centre and hence recently its local administration body has been upgraded to Municipal Corporation. Akola Municipal Corporation is headed by the Municipal Commissioner and has an elected Mayor. There are 71 electoral wards in Akola. A corporator is elected in each of the wards and they elect the Mayor by majority vote. Akola Municipal Transport (AMT) runs Akola's public transport service.
Industry
The Akola MIDC Industrial Area has two prominent industrial zones on the outskirts of the city. The total land under Akola MIDC Industrial area is 6.25 sq.km. There are about 25 factories (3 large factories and 22 small factories) currently in production and another 10 small factories are being constructed. Maharashtra Government has sanctioned growth centres close to Akola MIDC area. An application of the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) for setting up an Agro- processing Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Akola district has been approved. Notable industries in and around Akola city are 1. Akola Pulses Distribution Network Limited 2. MAHABEEJ - Agriculture 3. Saboo Industries 4. Mittal Agro Industries - Pulses Manufacturing 5. Gujrath Ambuja Exports Ltd. - Soya Oil Manufacturing Plant 6. Leben Laboritories - Pharmaceuticals 7. National Organic Chemical Industries Limited (NOCIL) - Rubber Chemicals 8. Akola Chemicals and Industries Pvt. Ltd. - Chemicals 9. Polyolefins Industries Limited - Chemicals 10. Padsons Industries Pvt. Ltd. - Manufacturing 11. Rallis India Ltd. 12. Maharashtra Insecticides Ltd. 13. Reliance Relpol Plastics Ltd. (Hasti Pipes)
Maharashtra State Seeds Corporation Limited (known as "MAHABEEJ") meets about 80% of the demand of seeds in the State.
Entertainment
Hindi, Marathi and English movies are screened in 8 cinema halls in Akola city. Adlabs multiplex is planned to come up in place of Radha-Krishna theatre.
Marathi dramas starring Bharat Jadhav, Prashant Damle and other prominent actors are frequently enacted in Pramilatai Oak Hall and Open Theatre loacated on Mahtma Gandhi Road (Main Market Road).
Akola has its own FM radio channel run by All India Radio (AIR). Recently a private FM radio channel Radio City 91.1 FM has also started broadcasting.
Education
Higher Education : Akola has the famous Agricultural University Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth (PDKV or PKV); which attracts students from far-off places for its Agricultural Engineering and Technology courses. All other professional colleges in Akola are affiliated to the Sant Gadge Baba Amravati University. It also has Engineering (Shivaji Engineering College, Akola COETA) and Medical Science colleges (as Government Medical College, Akola and Jamnalal Goenka Dental College).
Other prominently known colleges of Akola city are RLT College of Science,LRT Commerce College ,Shivaji Arts, Commerce and Science College, Sitabai Arts College, Radha Devi Goenka Mahila Mahavidyalaya, Sudhakarrao Naik Arts and Commerce College, RT Ayurvedic Mahavidyalaya, Govt. College of Education, Tirupati Tantra Niketan and KM Asghar Hussain Junior Art, Commerce and Science College.
Shri Sant Gajanan Maharaj College of Engineering (SSGMCE) at Shegaon (in Buldhana District) is a renowned engineering college of the region and is 45 km away from Akola city.
School Education: Some schools are affiliated to the Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education. The Municipal Corporation runs all public schools in the city. They lack many facilities, but are the only option for poor residents who cannot afford the more expensive private schools. Notable private schools in the Akola city in random order are :
1.Nishu Nursery And Kothari Convent 2. Holy Cross Convent High School 3. Jalaram English High School 4. Bharat Vidyalaya High School 5. N.R. Deshpande High School 6. Jubilee Convent High School 7. Mungilal Bajoria Vidyalaya 8.Mount Carmel High School (Akola) 9. B.R. High School 10. Bhikamchand Khandelwal Vidyalaya 11. Hindu Dyanpeeth Convent 12. N.W.W. Swawalambi Vidyalaya 13. New Era High School 14. New English High School 15. Jyoti Vidyalaya 16. Allama Iqbal Urdu School 17. Taj English High School 18. Mughal National Urdu High School 19. Millat Urdu High School 20. Jasnagra Public School etc.
CBSE affiliated schools in Akola are :
1. Emerald International School, Akola 2. School of Scholars , Hingna Rd.
Agriculture
Agriculture or Farming is the main occupation of the people in rural parts of the region. Cotton, Soyabean and Jowar (Sorghum) are the predominant crops grown in the district. Other important crops of the region are Wheat, Sunflower, Canola, Peanut, Bajra (Pearl Millet), Harbara (Chick Peas), Toor (Pigeon Peas), Ulad and Mung (Green Gram) etc.
Most crops are totally dependent on the monsoon. Only 15% of Maharashtra's gross cropped area is irrigated, as against the national average of 32.9% in 1989-90. Vidarbha's Amravati division's (includes Akola District) share of gross cropped area under irrigation is a meagre 9%.
Considered one of Maharashtra's least developed regions, Vidarbha has seen not only farmer's suicides but also malnutrition deaths in some tribal aremajor reason of recent suicide deaths of Farmers in the Akola region and other surrounding parts of Vidarbha, which has rang alarming bells in the Maharashtra State Government and Governemnet of India. Bharat Krishak Samaj, one of the leading organisation of farmers in India is very active in Akola region. It has played a crucial role in bringing up the voice of the common farmers of the Vidarbha region to the attention of the Indian Government. Vidarbha region has long been demanding a separate state, to support the Economy and Agriculture of this region; which has been neglected by the Maharashtra State Government in all sectors. Because of Government of India's intervention there has been announcements of government aid packages, but it has also failed to bring any change in the condition of the farmers of this region.
Oil and Dal mills are becoming rampant in this region because of the crops taken. Textile mills are also increasing to support the cotton growing industry.
Transport
Air
The Akola Airport (also known as Shivani Airport) (IATA: AKD, ICAO: VAAK) is the Domestic airport of Akola city. It is having Aerodrome & Airfield at an elevation of 999 ft (304 m) and having 1 Runway (3985×145 ft). The Airport is just 7 km away from the city on National Highway number 6. The nearest International airports are Mumbai, Pune and Nagpur. The work of Renovation and Operations of Akola Airport for the future has been taken by Airport Authority of India (AAI). Air Deccan is starting intermittent flights from Mumbai and Nagpur to Akola.
Road
The "NH6", which runs through Akola, is an important National Highway, which runs from Hajira (Surat) to Kolkata. NH6 is apart of Asian Highway 46. Maharashtra state transport buses are most commonly used by people to travel to rural parts of the region. They are the cheapest means of transport. State owned and private air-conditioned bus services run daily buses to most important cities to and from Akola. The bus frequency is extremely good.
Bus
Locally, the Akola Municipal Transport (AMT) is Akola's public transport service. AMT is also an important mode of transport for many people.It has got a huge response since it's launching. In addition, Auto Rickshaw is also widely used in Akola city for commute due to its quick ride.
Traffic is generally a problem, in the form of congestions due to increasing number of vehicles, bad roads, stray animals and a general disregard of traffic rules. Road accidents, quite often fatal, are not uncommon in Akola city because of all these factors combined. Recently, Local corporation is trying to bring IRDP in Akola city. This may create new face of the city.
Rail
Akola also has good railway connectivity with direct trains to Mumbai, Delhi,Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Okha, Kolhapur, Pune, Bhusawal, Wardha, Nagpur, Howrah, Puri, Chennai, Jaipur and Hyderabad.
Akola railway junction situated on both the Mumbai-Bhusawal-Wardha-Nagpur-Howrah rail line and the Kacheguda-Jaipur meter gauge line is an important junction for passengers from North and South India and also for goods trains. Broadgauging of Akola-Purna railway line under Unigauge is under progress. Important railway stations in Akola region with their codes are Paras, Gaigaon, Akola Junction(AK), Murtajapur Junction (MZR) and are under Bhusawal-Badnera Section of Bhusawal Division of Central Railway.
The other stations under meter gauge are Hiwarkhed (HWK), Adgaon Buzurg (ABZ), Akot (AKOT), Patsul (PTZ), Ugwe (UGWE), Akola Junction, Shivani Shivpur (SVW), Barshitakli (BSQ), Lohogad(LHD), Amna Vadi(AMW), Jaulka(JUK) are under Purna - Khandwa Section of South Central Railway.
The stations under narrow gauge are Lakhpuri, Murtajapur Junction, Karanja under two Narrow Gauge Branch lines viz Murtajapur-Achalpur and Murtajapur-Yavatmal of Bhusawal Division of Central Railway.
Religion and Culture
"Raj Rajeshwar Temple" in Akola is a famous pilgrimage place for worshippers of Lord Shiva and has a great historical heritage. (see attached photo) During the marathi calendar month of 'Shravan', there is a huge rush of devotees to worship Lord Shiva especially on every Monday of the month. The month of Shravan is very sacred according to Hindu Religion and worshippers from long distances travel to Raj Rajeshwar Temple to worship Lord Shiva.
Narsingh Maharaj Mandir at Akot and Baladevi temple at Balapur both in Akola District are also famous religious temples near Akola. Also in Balapur, 'Chatri' memento by Raja Jaisingh in the memory of his Horse is also famous.
The Atishay kshatra Shri Antariksh Parshvanath Jain Temple is situated in Shirpur (Akola District) about 75 km away from Akola. The Black colored idol of Bhagawan Parshvanath is very Ancient and is amongst very famous Jain Temples in Maharashtra.
Other Temples in Akola city are:
Birla Mandir (Shri Ram Temple) Shreenath Dutta Mandir, Ramdas Peth, Jain Temple
Shegaon (in Buldhana District), a very famous pilgrimage place of "Shri Sant Gajanan Maharaj", is just 45 km away from Akola. Sant Gajanan Maharaj Sansthan is the biggest temple trust in the Vidarbha region and is so called as "Pandharpur of Vidarbha". The origin of Sant Gajanan Maharaj is untraceable in history. People from all over Maharashtra visit Shegaon and offer there prayers to Shri Sant Gajanan Maharaj.
Akola is known as a colorful city because of its many festivals. Ganesh Chaturthi, Makar Sankranti, Dashera, Diwali, Holi and Eid are celebrated with special enthusiasm.
Famous personalities
- Late Dr. Abasaheb Gopalrao Khedkar (Freedom Fighter & First President Of Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee, Ex. Member Of Parliament & First Rural development Minister Cabinet after the Formation Of Maharashtra state.)
- Shri Brijlal Biyani (Freedom fighter & demanded a separate "Vidharbha State". In his honour Indian Govt. has issued a postal stamp.)
- Padmashree Dr. Vijay Bhatkar (Computer Scientist)
- Dr. Vitthal Wagh (Lok-Kavi)
- Late Nanasaheb Vairale (Former MP and Cabinet Minister of Maharashtra)
- Mr. Prakash Mankar (Chairman, Bharat Krishak Samaj)
- Vasantrao Dhotre (Former Chairman, Shivaji Education Society)
- Mr. Prakash Pohare (Editor, Deshonnati Marathi Newspaper published from Akola)
- Dr. Nitin Oke (Professor & Author; Director of 'SAFE HANDS EDUCATION CENTRE'; State coordinator of 'National Children Science Congress' and Founder & Promoter of Kutuhal Sanskar Kendra- Amateur Astronomy Club)
- Rao Bahadur Adv. Anant Sakharam Athalye (First Lawyer and bestowed with the title of Rao Bahadur by the British)
- Late Chimanlal Bhartia (Chairman of Vidharba Chambers of Commerce & Gaurakshan, Founder of Lions Club, Akola)
- Mr. Prakash Ambedkar (Bharat Ratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar's grandson and former Loksabha Member)
- Mr. Abdul Quadeer Siddiqui (Urdu/English short story writer & winner of Maharashtra Urdu Academy award for his book "Sukhe Ped Ka Dard", currently a U.S. Citizen & Editor, "Urdu Times English Corner" English Newspaper Published from Chicago)
- Patrick Barr, (born February 13,1908 — August 29,1985) a British Actor born in Akola
- Smt. Radha Devi Goenka (Mataji) (Freedom-fighter).
- Late Shri. Daddy Deshmukh (Director & Producer Of Marathi Cinema)