Chandrapur district General information
Chandrapur formerly known as Chanda is a city situated in eastern Maharashtra state, Central India. Wardha River flows near the city. Chandrapur was the capital of the Gond dynasty from the 12th to the 18th century and was later conquered by the Maratha Bhosles from Nagpur. It formed part of the British Central Provinces from 1854 until Indian independence in 1947. The tombs of the Gond kings and several temples are in the town. 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.
History
In ancient times Chanda 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 Dana Chiefs who ruled Chanda around 9th century and Gond Kings ruled the area till 1751 after which Maratha period started.
In the 18th century, the district became part of the dominions of the Bhonsle Maratha Maharajas of Nagpur. At the conclusion of the Third Anglo-Maratha War, the Bhonsle state of Nagpur became a princely state of British India. In 1853, when the Bhonsle Maharaja died without a direct male heir, the British annexed the kingdom, which became Nagpur Province. of British India. Nagpur Province was merged into the newly-constituted Central Provinces in 1861. Chandrapur District, then known as Chanda District.
In 1854, Chandrapur was an independent district and in 1874, it comprised the three tehsils Viz Mul, Warora and Bramhpuri. In 1874, however, the 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 was transferred to newly formed districts in 1907. In the same year an area of about 1560 square kilometers comprising three divisions of the lower Sironcha tehsil (namely Cherla, Albak and Nugir) were transferred to Madras State.
After India's independence in 1947, the former Central Provinces became the new Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. No major changes occurred in the boundaries of the district or its tehsils between 1911-1955.
The Indian states were reorganized along linguistic lines in 1956, and the largely Marathi-speaking Chandrapur District was transferred from Madhya Pradesh to became part of Mumbai State.
In the same year, 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.
Chandrapur district comprises 15 taluka, namely Chandrapur, Ballarpur, Rajura, Bhadravati, Warora, Chimur, Nagbhid, Bramhapuri, Sindewahi, Mul, Sawali, Gondpipri, Gadchandur, Korpana and Pombhurna.
For administrative convenience and industrial and agricultural development the district was again divided into Chandrapur and Gadchiroli districts 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 mitul.
Geography
Chandrapur district is located in the eastern edge of Maharashtra in Nagpur division and forms the eastern part of 'Vidharbha' region. It is located between 19.30’ N and 20.45’ N latitude and 78.46’E longitude. It is the easternmost district of the state of Maharashtra. The district is bounded by Nagpur, Bhandara and Wardha on the northern side, Yavatmal on the western side, Gadchiroli on the eastern side and Adilibad district of the Andhra Pradesh on the southern side. Physiographically, the district is situated in the Wainganga and Wardha river basin. The eastern and western boundaries of the district are well defined by the rivers Wainganga and Wardha, the tributaries of Godavari. Chandrapur district occupies an area of 11,443 km² which constitutes 3.72 percent of the total area of the state and had population of 1,771,994. Geographically Maharashtra is located 16.40 N to 22.10 N latitude and 72.60 E to 80.9 E longitude.
Owing to the geographical location and physical features, the climate of the district can be classified as a tropical hot climate with a high range of temperature throughout the year. Primarily there are two prominent seasons in the district - the very hot summer and moderate winter. The summer months are very hot and prolonged while winter is short and mild. The monsoon season starts immediately after summer and lasts until late September. The southwest monsoons bring a lot of rainfall during rainy season and there is no drought-prone area in the district.
Demography
Demography of a district such as population and its growth, density, occupational structure sex ratio etc. The total geographical area the district Chandrapur is 10,655 sq km of which 10,521 sq. km. is rural and 174 sq. km. is urban. The average no of inhabited villages per tehsil comes to about 105. According to the latest Census 2001, the total population of Chandrapur district was 20,71,101 persons of which 14,06034 persons (67.89 %) were residing in rural areas and 6,65,067 persons (32.11%) were in urban areas. In 1991 Chandrapur had 2.24% of state population over 3.72% of its area and in 2001 it came down to 2.14%.
Climate
Owing to the geographical location and physical features, the climate of the district can be classified as tropical hot climate with high range of temperature through out of year. Primarily there are two prominent seasons in the district - the very hot summer and moderate winter. the summer months are very hot and prolonged while winter is short and mild. The monsoon season starts immediately after summer till late September. The southwest monsoon bring lot of rainfall during rainy season and there is no draught prone area in the district.
The temperature starts decreasing from the month of October. December is the coldest month. mean maximum temperature during December is 28.2º and mean minimum is 11.6º The southern part is comparatively warmer then the north. which ranges between 29.6º to 14.6º. The lowest recorded temperature is in the north is 3º and 8º in the south. The daily mean temperature starts rising from the month of February and may is the peak summer month when mean maximum temperature goes up to 43º and minimum temperature is 28º to 29º. In severe heat condition temperature rises up to 46º. However temperature starts reducing after May due to onset of monsoon, which last from June To September when it is hot and humid.
The average annual rainfall is about 1420 mm. The eastern part receives more rainfall then west. Average no of rainy days is 60 to 65 through out the district. The relative humidity is very high during monsoon season, which exceeds 70%, but after monsoon season it falls down rapidly and in summer it is only 20%.
The prominent wind direction is from south to north. In summer the wind direction is from east to and south and monsoon from south to east. During winter, the wind direction changes from north to east. Frequently is characterized by the blowing of wild and violent winds heralding the approach of hot season which last till middle of June.
Rainfall
The district receives it’s rainfall (about 90%) from the south west monsoon from June to September. The avarage annual rainfall is about 1200 mm. The rainfall generally increases as one goes from the west to the east.
River
The entire area of the district falls in the Godavari basin. The area is drained by major tributaries of the Godavari river. The major Tributaries are the Wardha, the Wainganga and the Penganga rivers. The Penganga, flowing along part of the Western boundary, meets the Wardha river near Ghugus to form the Wardha river. It further flows in NW-SE direction finally merging into the Wainganga river at the south eastern corner of the district. After this confluence the river at the south eastern corner of the district. After this confluence the river along with their sub tributaries rising in the uplands within the district drain whole area of the district. Rising in the uplands within the district drain whole area of the district.
The Wainganga river which flows along the border of Chandrapur and Gadchiroli district is the main river of the district.
The Wardha is the only perennial river in the district having the longest river course as compared to the other two major rivers. The main tributaries of the Wardha river are the Erai rises in the northern part of Warora tahsil and flows along due south over a length of 80 km. till it meets the Wardha just south of Chandrapur at Wardha village.
The Penganga flowing along western border takes east west course and then joins the wardha river at Ghugus. The area occupied by Gadchiroli tahsil and part of Rajura tahsil is drained by the Penganga and its tributaries.
Economy
Physical feature and land use pattern of the district indicate that agriculture is the main activity in the district. The total agriculture area is 4810 Sq. kms. i.e. 46.05 % of the total area of the district.
Out of the total area, sown area is 5,18196 hectors barren and cultivable land 76004 HRS. and culturable waste land is 230 sq.kms.
Paddy, Cotton, Jwar and Soybean are the main crops in the district.34.33 % of the total area I under forest cover
The percentage of urban & rural population is 28.04 % & 71.96 % respecticvely. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes population accounts for 16.78 % and 19.70 % respectively.
The total area under industrial use accounts for 32.34 sq.km.
There are 7 Urban centres and 13 major rural centres. 6.26 % of the population lives in the slums and 13.36 % of the population is below poverty line.
Total work-force in 4 existing industrial estates is just 2071 but there are major industrial like coal mines. Thermal power station, Cement Factories, Paper mill etc. which are situated outside the industrial area where work force is about 30,000. There is influx of workers from other states particularly in Coal Mines. Seasonal migration is temporary phenomenan lasting for two-three months. The workers mostly come from Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and Bihar.
There are two historical centres and 16 religious centres where there is influx of tourists in particular season.
Education
The overall literacy percent age of the district is 59.41 %
Tourist Place
TADOBA - ANDHARI Tiger Reserve (TATR):It represents a unique habitat for wildlife in Central India. Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve comprises of Tadoba National Park and Andhari wildlife Sanctuary. The National park derives its name from local tribal god "Taru" whereas the Andhari river flowing through the forests gives the sanctuary its name. The forests mainly consists of teak and bamboo interspersed with grassy meadows while Tadoba is rugged hilly terrain. The area has a wide and rich range of flora and fauna. Teak and bamboo trees dominate southern deciduous forests. There is vast diversity in fauna and various types of species are found here.
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. As the night falls the small Indian Civet The Palm Civet, the Rattle, The flying squirrel make their presence felt. In the backdrop of the famous Ram degi Temple, the nature is as its best at Tadoba.
Anandwan Ashram At Warora :Warora town has come into prominence due to location of the "Anandvan Ashram". Well known Social worker and Maharashtrabhushan Shri Baba Amte whose services and efforts for the rehabilitation and care of leprosy patients have earned him worldwide recognition. Foreign tourists in large numbers often visit Anandvan Ashram.
Bhadravati Temple :This ancient temple is situated at is situated in the heart of the city. Devotees throng the temple throughout the year.
Jain Temple :This temple in the town is very popular with the community. It has very beautiful sculptures. This temple is located as Bhadravati village. It is 32 kilometers from Chandrapur town on Central Railways. 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 in digging the earth.
Ganesh Temple :This is also an ancient temple and is visited by large number of devotees throughout the year. The temple architecture and sculptures are major tourist attraction.
Vijasan Hills :There are several Buddha temples here. Which are very attractive. The atmosphere here is very serene and claim.