Nagpur is a city in the Indian state of Maharashtra, situated in the eastern part of the state in the Vidarbha region. It is the third-largest city in Maharashtra after Mumbai and Pune, and serves as the winter capital of the state. Nagpur is known as the "Orange City" for its prominent role in the trade of oranges, and is also recognised as a major commercial, political and cultural centre of the Vidarbha region.
Key facts
| Country | India |
|---|---|
| State | Maharashtra |
| Region | Vidarbha |
| District | Nagpur district |
| Status | Winter capital of Maharashtra |
| Civic body | Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) |
| Official language | Marathi |
| Known as | Orange City; Tiger Capital of India |
Geography
Nagpur lies on the Deccan plateau in central India and is often cited as being close to the geographical centre of the country, marked by the Zero Mile Stone erected during the British period. The city is drained by the Nag river, from which it takes its name, along with the Pili river. The terrain is generally flat with low hills around the periphery, and the climate is tropical with hot summers, a monsoon season and mild winters.
History
The founding of Nagpur is traditionally attributed to Bakht Buland Shah, a Gond king of Deogarh, in the early 18th century. The city subsequently passed to the Bhonsle rulers of the Maratha Confederacy, under whom it became a regional capital. After the Anglo-Maratha Wars, Nagpur came under the British East India Company and later the British Crown, becoming the capital of the Central Provinces and Berar.
Following the reorganisation of Indian states under the States Reorganisation Act, 1956, Nagpur was incorporated into Bombay State and, from 1960, into the newly formed state of Maharashtra. As part of the Nagpur Pact, it was designated the second capital of the state, where the winter session of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly is held each year.
Economy
Nagpur's economy historically rested on trade in oranges, cotton and other agricultural produce from Vidarbha. The modern economy includes manufacturing, power generation, information technology, logistics and services. The Multi-modal International Cargo Hub and Airport at Nagpur (MIHAN) project, centred on Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport, is the city's largest economic development initiative and hosts a special economic zone.
Transport
- Rail: Nagpur Junction is one of the busiest railway stations on the Indian Railways network, lying at the intersection of the Howrah–Mumbai and Delhi–Chennai trunk routes.
- Air: Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport connects Nagpur to major Indian cities and selected international destinations.
- Road: Several national highways converge at Nagpur, and the city is the northern terminus of the Samruddhi Mahamarg expressway to Mumbai.
- Metro: The Nagpur Metro, operated by Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation (Maha Metro), provides urban rapid transit.
Education
Nagpur is an established educational centre. Major institutions include Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University (founded 1923), Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology (VNIT), the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Nagpur, the Indian Institute of Management Nagpur, the Indian Institute of Information Technology Nagpur, the National Law University Nagpur, and Government Medical College, Nagpur. The city has a wide range of schools affiliated to the CBSE, ICSE and Maharashtra State Board, including institutions such as Madhav International School.
Culture and significance
Nagpur holds particular importance in modern Indian social history as the site of the Deekshabhoomi, where Dr. B. R. Ambedkar embraced Buddhism along with several lakh followers on 14 October 1956. The site is a major pilgrimage centre for Buddhists in India.
The city is also the headquarters of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), founded at Nagpur in 1925 by K. B. Hedgewar. Nagpur is sometimes called the "Tiger Capital of India" because of its proximity to several major tiger reserves, including Tadoba-Andhari, Pench, Bor, Melghat, Nagzira and Umred-Karhandla.
Major landmarks include the Zero Mile Stone, Sitabuldi Fort, Raman Science Centre, Maharaj Bagh and Zoo, Futala Lake, Ambazari Lake and the Sri Poddareshwar Ram Mandir, known for its annual Ram Navami procession.
Civic administration
Local government is administered by the Nagpur Municipal Corporation. The city serves as the divisional headquarters of the Nagpur Division and is the seat of the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court.