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Satara district

Overview

Satara district is an administrative district in the western part of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It lies in the Pune division and forms part of the Desh region on the Deccan plateau, with the Western Ghats running along its western edge. The district takes its name from its headquarters town, Satara, which historically served as the seat of the Maratha Chhatrapatis after the death of Chhatrapati Shivaji's grandson Shahu I.

Key facts

Country India
State Maharashtra
Division Pune Division
Headquarters Satara
Region Desh (Western Maharashtra)
Major rivers Krishna, Koyna, Venna, Urmodi, Tarli
Official language Marathi

Geography

The district is bordered by Pune district to the north, Solapur district to the east, Sangli district to the south, and Ratnagiri and Raigad districts to the west across the Sahyadri ranges. The terrain ranges from the high hills and heavy-rainfall belt of the Western Ghats in the west to drier plateau country in the east.

The Krishna river rises near Mahabaleshwar in the district, along with the Koyna, Venna, Savitri and Bhima tributaries. The Koyna Dam, one of Maharashtra's largest hydroelectric projects, lies in the district and impounds the Shivasagar reservoir. Hill stations such as Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani are located in the western tehsils.

Administration

The district is divided into administrative tehsils (talukas), which include Satara, Karad, Wai, Mahabaleshwar, Jaoli, Patan, Koregaon, Khatav, Man, Phaltan and Khandala. Local self-government is exercised through the Satara Zilla Parishad, panchayat samitis at the taluka level, and gram panchayats at the village level. Major urban local bodies include the municipal councils of Satara, Karad, Phaltan, Wai and Mahabaleshwar.

For parliamentary elections, the district contains the Satara Lok Sabha constituency and parts of the Madha constituency. It also sends several members to the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly.

History

The region has a long history associated with the Maratha Empire. After Chhatrapati Shahu I established his court at Satara in the early 18th century, the town functioned as the symbolic capital of the Maratha confederacy even as effective power shifted to the Peshwas at Pune. Following the Third Anglo-Maratha War, the British recognised a princely state of Satara in 1818 under a descendant of Shivaji; the state was annexed to the Bombay Presidency in 1848 under the Doctrine of Lapse.

During the Indian independence movement, parts of the district, especially around Karad and the surrounding villages, were notable for the Prati Sarkar (parallel government) movement led by Nana Patil during the Quit India agitation of 1942–46.

After Indian independence, Satara district became part of Bombay State and, on the linguistic reorganisation of states in 1960, of Maharashtra. The earlier Satara district was divided in 1949, with the southern portion forming what is today Sangli district.

Economy

The economy is predominantly agricultural. Sugarcane is the leading commercial crop in the irrigated tracts along the Krishna and its tributaries, and the district has a strong network of cooperative sugar factories. Other important crops include jowar, bajra, wheat, rice, groundnut and pulses. Strawberry cultivation around Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani is widely known.

Industrial activity is concentrated around Satara, Karad and Khandala, including units in the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) estates. The Koyna Hydroelectric Project is a significant contributor to Maharashtra's power generation. Tourism, particularly to Mahabaleshwar, Panchgani, Kaas Plateau and various forts, is also an important sector.

Culture and notable places

  • Kaas Plateau – a seasonal plateau of wildflowers, inscribed as part of the Western Ghats UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  • Mahabaleshwar and Panchgani – hill stations established during the British period.
  • Pratapgad – the fort associated with the 1659 encounter between Shivaji and Afzal Khan.
  • Ajinkyatara, Sajjangad, Vasota – historic forts in the district.
  • Sajjangad – samadhi of the saint Samarth Ramdas.
  • Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary – protected area in the Western Ghats.

Demographics and language

Marathi is the principal language of the district. The population is predominantly Hindu, with sizeable Muslim, Buddhist, Jain and Christian communities. The district is associated with several Marathi literary and political figures, and Karad has been the home town of former Chief Minister of Maharashtra Y. B. Chavan, later India's Deputy Prime Minister.

Transport

National Highway 48 (the Mumbai–Bengaluru corridor, formerly NH 4) passes through the district, linking Satara and Karad with Pune and Kolhapur. The district is served by the Pune–Miraj railway line of Central Railway, with major stations at Satara, Karad and Koregaon. The nearest large airports are at Pune and Kolhapur.

References

  • Wikidata entity: Q1135612
  • Government of Maharashtra, Satara district administration portal.
  • Census of India, district handbooks for Satara.