Reference.com

Ahmednagar

Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia - Cite This Source

Ahmednagar (Marathi/Hindi: अहमदनगर, Urdu: عحمدناگار) is a city of Ahmednagar District in the state of Maharashtra, India, on the left bank of the Sina river, about 120 km northeast of Pune and 120 km from Aurangabad. Ahmednagar (sometimes misspelled as Ahmadnagar) is the largest district in the Maharashtra state of India. Sugar, milk and bank co-operatives thrive here. Ahmednagar is home to 19 sugar factories and is also the birthplace of the cooperative movement. Due to scarce rainfall, Ahmednagar suffers from drought often. Though citizens learn tri-lingual (e.g. English/Hindi/Marathi/Urdu) education in schools, Marathi is the primary language for daily-life communication.

History of Ahmednagar

The town was founded in 1494 by Ahmad Nizam Shah, on the site of a more ancient city, Bhingar. With the breakup of the Bahmani Sultanate, Ahmad established a new sultanate in Ahmednagar, also known as Nizam Shahi dynasty. It was one of the Deccan sultanates, which lasted until its conquest by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in 1636. Aurangzeb, the last great Mughal emperor, who spent the latter years of his reign, 1681-1707, in the Deccan, died there in 1707, and a small monument marks the site.

In 1759 the Peshwa of the Marathas obtained possession of the place by bribing the Muslim commander, and in 1790 it was ceded by the Peshwa to the Maratha chief Daulat Rao Sindhia.

Ahmednagar was invaded by a British force under General Wellesley and captured. It was afterwards restored to the Marathas, but again came into the possession of the British in 1817, according to the terms of the Treaty of Poona.

Numerous Mughal-era buildings dot the environs. Ahmednagar fort, once considered the second most unimpregnable fort in India, was used by the British to house Nehru and other Indian Nationalists before Indian independence; a few rooms there have been converted to a museum. When Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru was held up in Ahmednagar fort under British observation, he had written the famous Book “Bharat Ek Khoj” (Discovery of India).Formerly the Indian base of the British Army's Royal Tank Corps, amongst other units, the town houses the second-largest display of military tanks in the world; the exhibit is open to the public.

The cantonment is home to the Indian Armoured Corps Centre & School (ACC&S), the Mechanised Infantry Regimental Centre (MIRC), the Vehicle Research and Development Establishment (VRDE) and the Controllerate of Quality Assurance Vehicles (CQAV). Training and recruitment for the Indian Armoured Corps takes place at the ACC&S.

Geography

Ahmednagar is located at . It has an average elevation of 999 metres (2129 feet).

Demographics

As of 2001 India census, Ahmednagar had a population of 3,99,410. Males constitute 63% of the population and females 37%. Ahmednagar has an average literacy rate of 84%, higher than the national average of 59.5%. 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Prominent persons

  • Anna Hazare, a Social Leader and Right to Information Act(RTI) Activist. Anti Corruption Movement. Under his leadership, Ralegan Siddhi village is considered as a model of environmental conservation.
  • Chand Bibi: Razia Sultan has got more attention than courageous Chand bibi. Chand bibi was ahead of her time. In 1595, she fought against mighty Mughal emperor Akbar at Ahmednagar Fort. Sadly, in 1600, she was killed by few of her own short-sighted people branding her as traitor.
  • Spike Milligan - Terence Alan Miligan - Spike Milligan (Irish comic genius) was born in Ahmednagar Military hospital, at 3.30 pm on April 16, 1918. He worked on 'Those Crazy People' (later named as The Goon Show) weekly radio show with Peter Sellers, that ran for 11 series. Miligan was a comedian with social conscience. He is appeared in few movies like The three musketeers (1973). He died on June 24, 2002.
  • Cynthia Ferrar - Cynthia Ferrar (missionary, born 20 April 1795) studied at Planfield (New Hampshire, USA) and was a teacher in New Hampshire and Boston, USA. She lived in Ahmednagar from 1839 to 1862. In this period, she organized schools for girls in Ahmednagar region and directed them. She died on Jan 25, 1862, in Ahmednagar.
  • Michael James Stuart Dewar- Dewar was born in Ahmednagar, on September 24, 1918. Dewar was educated in Oxford University (D.Phil. in 1942). He is well known for his contributions to theoretical chemistry. In 1970s/80s, he worked on the semiempirical computational chemistry methods- MINDO, MNDO, AM1 and PM3 that are in the MOPAC computer program.
  • Ram Nagarkar - a writer/actor in Marathi language. He has written and acted in 'RamNagari' - an autobiography converted to comedic play/movie in Marathi language. The play deals with the topic of caste i.e. being a low-caste barber.
  • Rachel Manija Brown - has written a book, All the Fishes Come Home to Roost, about her upbringing (from age 7 to 12) in Ahmednagar.
  • Shahu Modak - Shahu Modak (1918 - 1993), a Marathi/Hindi movie actor was born in Christian family, in Ahmednagar. He primarily acted as Lord Krishna in 29 mythological films.
  • Sant Dnyaneshwar wrote Dnyaneshwari in Newasa town of Ahmednagar district.
  • Shri Ramakrishna Saraswati Kshirsagar Swamiji (1934 - 1999): Swamiji worked for the rejuvenation and revival of Vedas, Vedic Hindu traditions and Vedic ideology.Datta Kshetra have been formed by divine power of Ramkrishna Saraswati.
  • Sant Nilobaraya Last known saint in Sant parampara. Samadhi temple located at Pimpalner, Taluka-Parner. It is treated as Prati Pandharpur by devotees. (MJG)
  • Sai Baba is a saint who devoted his life in Shirdi town of Ahmednagar district.
  • Meher Baba (Merwan Sheriar Irani, 1894-1969), Indian religious figure who proclaimed himself to be the Avatar, the most recent incarnation of God Vishnu. Established Meherabad ashram around 9 kilometers south of Ahmednagar on the 'Nagar-Daund' road. Also established Meherazad, his residence, about 13 kilometers north of Ahmednagar on the 'Nagar-Shirdi' road.
  • The place where Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru wrote the book - "Discovery Of India".
  • Pakistan or Partition of India (book) - Dr. B. R. Ambedkar wrote this book in Ahmednagar.
  • Bapusaheb Bhapkar(Prabhakar Kondaji Bhapkar aka Hiraprabha): Great Social Worker
  • Trimbakji Dengale Sardar: For some time, Trimbakji had worked as a bodyguard of Bajirao Peshwa. Soon he won the confidence of the Peshwa and the Maratha ruler almost handed over the reigns of his kingdom to him. His rule abruptly came to an end when the British East India Company charged that he was involved in a murder case. Trimbakji was arrested by the officials of the British company and he was kept at the Thane jail. However he managed to escape from the custody and came to Akole in Nashik district. He was re-arrested there. Trimbakji visited his wife and children for the last time at Nimgaojali. He died in captivity at Chunar fort.

Places of interest

  • Chand bibi Palace - The place has Salabat Khan Tomb, it is a three-storey structure made of solid stone. It is 13 km from Ahmednagar city. Situated on the top of a hill, it has a view of the city lights at night. It is visible from almost anywhere in Ahmednagar City.
  • Ahmednagar Fort - The fort was built by Ahmed Nizam Shah. India's first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru wrote a book 'Discovery Of India' in this fort when he was detained by the British in 1942.
  • Renuka/Durga Goddess Temple, Kedgaon - This temple is located in Kedgaon (around 3 km from Ahmednagar Railway Station, 5 km from Ahmednagar ST (state transport) bus-stand) which is near Nagar-Pune highway. Navaratri (nine nights) festival is a celebration of nine nights of battle between the Goddess Durga and demon-king Mahishasura. Eventually Goddess Durga killing Mahishasura on ninth night and as such, the festival signifies good will always prevail over bad.
  • Alamagir - Alamgir is situated near Bhingar on Pathardi road. Aurangzeb died at the age of 91 at the very same place, his body was taken to Khultabad, near Aurangabad & buried there. This historical place also houses a Masjid & Baradari where meetings used to take place. The library near the masjid has rare Qurans, dating back to the time of emperor Aurangzeb. One of the Qurans here was written by the emperor himself.
  • Vishal Ganpati Mandir - This Ganeshji temple is located in Maliwada area in Ahmednagar city. This temple has a great importance to the people of Ahmednagar.
  • Siddhatek Siddhivinayak - Temple of God Ganesh.
  • Shirdi - home to the late Sai Baba, revered by Hindus and Muslims alike.
  • Meherabad, where the samadhi (tomb-shrine) of the spiritual master Meher Baba is a place of pilgrimage, visited by thousands each year, particularly on the anniversary of his death, January 31. His residence was at Meherazad (near Pimpalgaon village), approximately nine miles north of Ahmednagar.
  • Shani Shingnapur - The village is famed for its temple dedicated to Shani - the planet Saturn. More remarkable however is that there are no locks on any of the doors in the village be it residential or commercial, including the bank. Local legends claim that the village is 'protected' and no thief can cross its borders without dying. Sceptics please note that the village has remained theft - free in recorded history.
  • Ralegaon Siddhi - a village which is a model for environmental conservation
  • Harishchandragarh - a hilly fort.
  • Avhane, Shevgaon - Temple of Ganesh (Nidrista/Sleeping).
  • Ganje Shohda - This is a holy shrine belonging to the Dawoodi Bohra Community located in Bhingar, frequented by many going towards Takae Daundgaon in the Aurangabad district.
  • Pimpalner - Samadhi Temple of Shri Sant Nilobaraya,2 km towards west of Ralegan Sindhi, Parner Taluka. Also called Prati Pandharpur.
  • Pedgaon - Baleshwar Temple, Temple of Laxmi Narayan
  • Pimpalgaon Malavi- This is the best place to spend your time on Pimpalgao Talav. Dongargan (Shri Ram Temple), Gorakhshanath had a temple of Gorakhshanatha on a very big hill from where you can also see the Mula Dam. You can also find Avatar Meher Baba's hospital.

Hivre Bazaar- Model village developed under the leadership of Mr.Popatrao Pawar.

  • Trimbakji Dengale's Wada : Nimgaojali, a small village in Sangamner taluka of Ahmednagar district, came into limelight in the last phase of the Maratha empire. Trimbakji's spacious wada has now lost its former glory. Some of the portions of this two-centuries old structure are in dilapidated condition. The seventh or the eighth generation descendants of Trimbakji are now residing in this Wada.

Images of the city

References

External links



Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia © 2001-2006 Wikipedia contributors (Disclaimer)
This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License.
Last updated on Tuesday March 11, 2008 at 06:57:56 PDT (GMT -0700)
View this article at Wikipedia.org - Edit this article at Wikipedia.org - Donate to the Wikimedia Foundation