Hingoli district is an administrative district in the Marathwada region of the state of Maharashtra in western India. The town of Hingoli serves as the administrative headquarters of the district. It was carved out of the larger Parbhani district on 1 May 1999, making it one of the newer districts of Maharashtra.
| Country | India |
|---|---|
| State | Maharashtra |
| Region | Marathwada |
| Division | Aurangabad Division |
| Headquarters | Hingoli |
| Formed | 1 May 1999 |
| Parent district | Parbhani district |
| Official language | Marathi |
Before its formation, the area now constituting Hingoli district was part of Parbhani district. The bifurcation in 1999 was undertaken to improve administrative reach in the northern parts of Marathwada. Historically, the region was part of the princely state of Hyderabad under the Nizams until its accession to the Indian Union in 1948 following Operation Polo, after which it became part of Hyderabad State and later, with the linguistic reorganisation of states in 1956 and the formation of Maharashtra in 1960, was incorporated into the present state.
Hingoli district lies in the northern part of the Marathwada region. It shares borders with Yavatmal district to the north, Nanded district to the east and south-east, Parbhani district to the south and west, and Washim district to the north-west. The district lies in the basin of the Penganga River, which forms part of its northern boundary, and the Kayadhu, a tributary of the Penganga, flows through it.
The district is divided into talukas (tehsils) for revenue and administrative purposes. These include:
The district is administered by a District Collector, with a Zilla Parishad handling rural local self-government. For Lok Sabha representation, the area falls under the Hingoli parliamentary constituency.
The economy of Hingoli is predominantly agrarian. Major crops grown include cotton, soybean, jowar (sorghum), tur (pigeon pea), and turmeric. The Basmath and Hingoli belt is particularly noted for turmeric cultivation and trade, with related agricultural marketing committees in the region.
Hingoli district is well known as the location of Aundha Nagnath, traditionally identified as one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Shiva, situated in Aundha Nagnath taluka. The temple is an important pilgrimage centre and a site of architectural interest associated with the Hemadpanti style. The district also has connections with the saint tradition of Marathwada and the broader Varkari movement.
Marathi is the principal language of the district. Urdu and Hindi are also spoken, particularly in towns. The district has a mixed Hindu-Muslim demographic profile typical of the former Hyderabad State territories in Marathwada.
Hingoli is connected by road through state and national highways linking it to Nanded, Parbhani, Akola and Yavatmal. The district is served by railway stations on the South Central Railway network, including Hingoli Deccan and Basmath Nagar, lying on the Akola–Purna line.