Parbhani district is an administrative district located in the Marathwada region of the state of Maharashtra in central India. The district headquarters is the city of Parbhani. It forms part of the Aurangabad Division and is known historically for its association with the former princely state of Hyderabad, of which it was a part until 1948.
| Country | India |
|---|---|
| State | Maharashtra |
| Region | Marathwada |
| Division | Aurangabad |
| Headquarters | Parbhani |
| Type | District |
Parbhani district lies on the Deccan plateau in the central part of Marathwada. It is bordered by Hingoli district to the north, Nanded district to the east, Latur district to the south-east, Beed district to the west, and Jalna district to the north-west. The Godavari river flows along the southern boundary of the district, and the Purna river, a tributary of the Godavari, traverses parts of its territory. The terrain is largely a gently undulating plain with black cotton soils suitable for cultivation.
The district is administered by a Collector and District Magistrate appointed by the Government of Maharashtra. For administrative purposes, Parbhani district is divided into several tahsils (talukas), including Parbhani, Gangakhed, Pathri, Sonpeth, Manwath, Sailu, Jintur, Purna and Palam. Local self-government in rural areas is exercised through the Parbhani Zilla Parishad and panchayat samitis at the taluka level. Parbhani city is governed by the Parbhani Municipal Corporation.
The region that comprises modern Parbhani district has been inhabited since ancient times and came successively under the rule of the Satavahanas, Chalukyas, Yadavas of Devagiri, the Bahmani Sultanate and later the Nizamshahi and Mughal powers. From the 18th century onwards it formed part of the dominions of the Nizam of Hyderabad. Following the integration of Hyderabad State into the Indian Union after Operation Polo in 1948, the area became part of Hyderabad State in independent India.
With the linguistic reorganisation of states in 1956, Parbhani was transferred to Bombay State, and on the formation of Maharashtra in 1960 it became one of the districts of the new state. In 1999, the northern portion of Parbhani district was carved out to form the new Hingoli district.
The economy of Parbhani district is predominantly agricultural. Major crops include cotton, sorghum (jowar), pigeon pea (tur), soybean, sugarcane and wheat. Cotton ginning, oilseed processing and sugar production are among the principal agro-based industries. The district is served by the Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, an agricultural university based at Parbhani, which plays an important role in agricultural research and extension across the Marathwada region.
Parbhani is an important railway junction on the Secunderabad–Manmad route of the South Central Railway, with branches connecting to Parli Vaijnath and other towns. National and state highways link the district headquarters with Nanded, Aurangabad, Hingoli and other major centres of Maharashtra.
The district contains several places of religious and historical interest. Gangakhed on the banks of the Godavari is associated with the medieval Marathi saint Janabai. The Mahur–Tuljapur–Kolhapur–Saptashrungi pilgrimage circuit and various temples along the Godavari draw devotees from across Maharashtra. Jintur is known for ancient Jain rock-cut caves and temples, while Pathri is traditionally associated with the saint Sai Baba of Shirdi, whose birthplace is held by some traditions to be in the town.
Marathi is the principal language of the district, with Urdu and Hindi also spoken. The population is predominantly Hindu, with significant Muslim, Buddhist and Jain minorities, reflecting the district's long historical connections with Hyderabad State.