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Kolhapur

Population (2001 census): 3,515,413 Literacy rate (2001): 77.23% Below poverty line: 43% Infant mortality rate (IMR): 16 Getting there >> Air: Kolhapur has a domestic airport. Other airports nearby are Pune and Mumbai. Rail: Connected by rail (broad gauge line), with a station at Kolhapur. Connected by rail to Mumbai (395 kms) and Pune (234 kms). Road: State highways and roads link the district headquarters at Kolhapur to all 12 tehsils (subdistricts) and towns. Through Kolhapur passes national highway No 4.

Physical

Geographical location: Between 15° and 17° longitude on Northern side and 73 and 74° latitude on Eastern side Area: 7,620 sq km (2.52 % of the state) Adjoining districts: North and east: Sangli district; west: Sindhudurg and Ratnagiri districts; south: Karnataka state boundary Major urban centres: Jaysinghpur, Kurundwad, Terwad, Udgaon, Dharangutti Major crops: Paddy, millets, groundnut, sugarcane Major rivers: Krishna, Warna, Panchganga, Dudhganga, Vedganga, Hiranyakshi and Ghatprabha Total no. of sub-districts: 12

Demography (2001 census)

Population: 3,515,413 Density of population (persons/sq km): 457 Men: 1,803,746 Women: 1,711,667 Total rural population: 2,473,251 Total urban population: 1,042,162 % of Scheduled castes: 26.40 % % of Scheduled tribes: 13 % Sex-ratio (females/1000 males): 949

Social development indicators (2000-01)

Below poverty line: 43% Infant mortality rate (IMR): 16 Maternal mortality rate: 0.5 Birth rate: 20.9 Death rate: 6

Climate

Max temp in °C: 41.5°C Min temp in °C: 14.2°C Average rainfall in mm: 1015 mm

Economy

Industries: Kolhapuri chappals (footwear), silver jewellery, powerloom, film production Industrial centres: Kolhapur, Shengaon, Ichalkaranji, Hupri, Kapasi, Warnagar, Shiroli, Wadgaon, Ajra Main markets: Kolhapur, Jaysinghpur, Peth Vadgaon, Gadhinglaj Main banking centres: Kolhapur, Ichalkaranji, Karvir, Hatkanangale, Shirol, Kagal, Gadhinglaj, Chandgad, Ajra, Radhanagari, Bavada, Shahuwadi

Disaster vulnerability

Flood: Severe floods in 1989 and 1994; 188 riverside villages are prone to flood Earthquake: Earthquakes with epicentres in the adjoining districts affected villages in 1967-68 and 1993-94 Cyclone: No Drought: Yes Relief machinery: Earthmovers: 21; mobile cranes: 4; excavators: 3; bulldozers: 8; water tankers: 46

Medical facilities

Hospitals: There are 66 primary health centres, 13 rural hospitals and 29 dispensaries in the district. Health facilities: There are 303 private medical practitioners Blood banks: 3

Language

Language: Marathi is the principal language. Some people speak Hindi and Urdu.

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Food

Food: Chappatis, dal (pulses) and sabji (vegetables) are the main food items. People rarely eat rice.

Transportation and communication

Post and telegraph services: There are 537 post offices and 83 telegraph offices State highways passing through the district and road services: Apart from National Highway No 4 -- Bombay--Pune—Bangalore -- several state highways pass through the district. These include: Ratnagiri--Kolhapur--Miraj; Vijaydurg--Tarale--Gaganbavad—Kolhapur--Pattan--Kodoli-- Hupari--Rendal--Jangamwadi; Kolhapur--Gargoti--Gadhinglaj--Nesair--Nagarwadi—Chandgad--Ramghat road; Shirgaon--Nagarwadi--Belgaum road; Kolhapur--Parite--Gargoti--Gadhingalj--Nesari--Chandgad—Ramghat--Doda road; Miraj--Arjunwadi--Nrusingwadi—Kurundwad--Herwad road. Important railway stations and railway services: Kolhapur, Hakanangle, Rukhri

Voluntary agencies

Culture and Religion

Fairs and festivals: The district celebrates two main fairs -- Jyotiba fair at Wadi Ratnagiri in Panhala tehsil in March-April, and Tryamboli at Kolhapur in September-October. Religious places: Kolhapur, Kumbhoj, Kadsiddheshwar, Wadi Ratnagiri, Narsinhwadi, Prayag, Khidrapur, Ramtirth History: Kolhapur, also known as Karveer, was at various times in its history ruled by the Kadambas, Andhrabratyas, Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, Western Chalukyas, Silaharas, Yadavas of Deogiri, Bahamanis, Adilshah and finally the Marathas. Panhala was the seat of government of the Marathas. The capital was shifted in 1782 to Kolhapur. Kolhapur remained an independent princely state till independence. One of its most famous rulers in modern times was Rajashri Shahu Chhatrapati who ruled from 1884 to 1922. In 1948 the state was merged with the Indian union, and in 1956 with the Bombay Province. In 1960 after the formation of Maharashtra, it became one of its important districts.