Overview
Buldhana district (also spelt Buldana) is an administrative district in the Vidarbha region of the state of Maharashtra, India. The district headquarters is located at the town of Buldhana. It forms the westernmost district of the Amravati Division and lies on the boundary between the Vidarbha and Marathwada regions.
Key facts
| Country | India |
|---|---|
| State | Maharashtra |
| Division | Amravati Division |
| Headquarters | Buldhana |
| Region | Vidarbha |
Geography
Buldhana district lies in the north-western part of Vidarbha. It is bounded by Madhya Pradesh to the north, Akola district and Washim district to the east, Parbhani and Hingoli districts to the south, and Jalna and Jalgaon districts to the west. The Ajanta range of hills traverses the district, separating the basins of the Purna river in the north and the Painganga river in the south, both tributaries of the Tapti and Godavari systems respectively.
Administration
The district is divided into several tehsils for revenue administration, including Buldhana, Chikhli, Mehkar, Khamgaon, Malkapur, Shegaon, Jalgaon Jamod, Sangrampur, Nandura, Motala, Deulgaon Raja, Sindkhed Raja, and Lonar. The district is part of the Amravati revenue division and elects representatives to the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly and the Lok Sabha through constituencies including Buldhana and Raver (in part).
History
The region of Buldhana has a long historical association with several dynasties of the Deccan, including the Satavahanas, Vakatakas, Chalukyas, Yadavas of Devagiri, the Bahmani Sultanate, and later the Mughals and the Nizam of Hyderabad. The town of Sindkhed Raja is notable as the birthplace of Jijabai, the mother of the Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji. The district came under British administration as part of the Berar Province after 1853 and was later integrated into the Central Provinces and Berar. With the reorganisation of states in 1956 and the formation of Maharashtra in 1960, Buldhana became part of the new state.
Notable places
- Lonar Lake — A saline soda lake formed by a meteorite impact, recognised as a Ramsar site and a notable geological feature.
- Shegaon — A pilgrimage town associated with the saint Gajanan Maharaj, attracting large numbers of devotees annually.
- Sindkhed Raja — Historic town and birthplace of Jijabai, with monuments associated with the Jadhav family.
- Mehkar — An old town of historical and religious significance.
- Khamgaon — A major commercial centre, historically known for cotton trade.
Economy
The economy of Buldhana district is predominantly agrarian. Major crops include cotton, jowar, soybean, tur (pigeon pea), and wheat. The district falls within the cotton belt of Vidarbha, and Khamgaon has historically been an important market for ginning, p