Solapur
Solapur is a district in the State of Maharashtra in India. The district is located between 17.10 to 18.32 degrees north latutude and 74.42 to 76.15 degrees east longitude. It is bounded on the north by Ahmednagar and Osmanabad distritcs, on the east by Osmanabad and Gulbarga (Karnataka State) districts, on the south by Sangli and Bijapur (Karnataka State) and on the west by Satara and Pune districts.The district covers geographical area of 14844.6 sq km.
The district is having 11 Talukas and population 38,49,543 as per 2001 census.
History
The Solapur District was ruled by various dynesties such as Andhrabhratyas, Chalukyas, Rashtrkutas, Yadavas and Bahamanis. 'SOLAPUR' is believed to be derived from two words 'SOLA' meaning sixteen and 'PUR' meaning village.The present city of Solapur was considered to be spread
over sixteen villages viz. Aadilpur, Ahmedpur, Chapaldev, Fatehpur, Jamdarwadi, Kalajapur, Khadarpur, Khandervkiwadi, Muhammadpur, Ranapur, Sandalpur, Shaikpur, Solapur, Sonalagi, Sonapur and Vaidakwadi.
Recent research work however shows that the name SOLAPUR is derived not from the congregation of sixteen villages. It is evident from the inscriptions of Shivayogi Shri Siddheshwar of the time of the Kalachuristis of Kalyani, that the town was called 'Sonnalage' which came to be pronounced as 'Sonnalagi'. The town was known as Sonnalagi even upto the times of Yadavas. A sanskrit inscription dated Shake 1238, after the downfall of the Yadavas found at Kamati in Mohol shows that the town was known as Sonalipur. One of the inscriptions found in Solapur fort shows that the town was called Sonalpur while another inscription on the well in the fort shows that it was known as Sandalpur.
During the Muslim rule, the town was known as Sandalpur. It is therefore most probably that that during the course of time the name Solapur was evolved by dropping 'na' from the name Sonalpur.
Subsequently the British rulers pronounced Solapur as Sholapur and hence the name of the district.
The present Solapur district was previously part of Ahmednagar, Pune and Satara districts. In 1838 it became the Sub-district of Ahmednagar. It included Barshi, Mohol, Madha, Karmala, Indi, Hippargi and Muddebihal Sub-divisions.
In 1864 this Sub-district was abolished. In 1871 this district was reformed joining the Sub-divisions viz. Solapur, Barshi, Mohol, Madha and Karmala and two Subdivisions of Satara district viz. Pandharpur, Sangola and in 1875 Malshiras Sub-division was also attached.
After the State reorganisation in 1956 Solapur was included in Mumbai State and it became a full fledged district of Maharashtra State in 1960.
The importance of Solapur is unique in the history of India in the sense that this district enjoyed the freedom even before independence. The citizens of Solapur enjoyed the Independence for three days from 9th to 11th May 1930.
The brief history runs like this. After the arrest of Mahatma Gandhi in May 1930, protests and demonstrations against the British Rule were held throughout India. Large scale rallies and protests were done at Solapur also. Many citizens lost their lives in the Police firings. Due to this the irate mob attacked the Police Stations. Out of fear the Police and other officers ran out of Solapur. During this period the responsibility of law, order and security of citizens was on the shoulders of congress party leaders. The then city congress President Shri.Ramkrishna Jaju, with his other congressmen maintained the law and order for a period of three days from 9th to 11th May 1930.
Secondly, the Solapur Municipal Council was the first Municipal Council of India to host the National Flag on the Municipal Council building (Now Municipal Corporation) Solapur in 1930.
The brief history runs like this. Taking the spirit of Dandi March from Mahatma Gandhi, the freedom fighters of Solapur decided to host the National Flag on the Solapur Municipal Council. Accordingly, senior freedom fighter from Pune Shri.Annasaheb Bhopatkar hosted the National Flag on 6th April 1930 on Municipal Council. This was the first and the unique incidence of such kind throughout the country. The British rulers, due to irritation declared the Marshall Law at Solapur and arrested many leaders and innocent citizens on false charges. The freedom fighters Shri.Mallappa Dhanshetti, Shri.Kurban Hussain, Shri.Jagnnath Shinde and Shri.Kisan Sarda were arrested on charges of killing two Policemen of Mangalwar Police Station. The lower court sentenced the punishment of hanging till death for these freedom fighters. The High Court also confirmed the same decision and these four freedom fighters were hanged till death on 12th January 1931. As a mark of respect to these freedom fighters, the Statues of these freedom fighters have been installed in the heart of the City and the location has been named as Hutatma Chowk.
Politics
Assembly constituencies and their extent after delimitation order of 2008244 Karmala Vidhan Sabha Constituency - 1. Karmala Tehsil, 2. Madha Tehsil (Part) Revenue Circle - Ropale, Kurduwadi and Kurduwadi (MC).
245 Madha Vidhan Sabha Constituency - 1. Madha Tehsil (Part) Revenue Circle- Tembhurni, Modnimb , Laul, Madha, Darfal, 2. Pandharpur Tehsil (Part) Revenue Circle-Patvardhan Kuroli, Karkamb,Tungat, 3. Malsiras Tehsil(Part) Revenue Circle Mahalung.
246 Barshi Vidhan Sabha Constituency - Barshi Tehsil.
247 Mohol Vidhan Sabha Constituency (SC) - 1. Mohol Tehsil, 2. Pandharpur Tehsil (Part) Revenue Circle Puluj, 3. Solapur North Tehsil (Part)- Revenue Circle - Wadala, Mardi.
248 Solapur City North Vidhan Sabha Constituency - Solapur North Tehsil (Part) – Revenue Circle Solapur, Solapur (M. Corp.) (Part) -Ward No. 1 to 5, 15 to 28, 48 to 49, 52 to 65, 86 to 88.
249 Solapur City Central Vidhan Sabha Constituency - Solapur North Tehsil (Part) - Solapur (M. Corp.) (Part) - Ward No.6, 29 to 39, 44 to 47, 50, 51, 66 to 85, 89 & 90.
250 Akkalkot Vidhan Sabha Constituency - 1. Akkalkot Tehsil, 2. Solapur South Tehsil (Part) Revenue Circle - Boramani, Musti, Valsang.
251 Solapur South Vidhan Sabha Constituency - 1. Solapur North Tehsil (Part) Revenue Circle- Tirhe, Shelga, Solapur (M. Corp.) (Part) -Ward No. 7 to 14, 40 to 43. 2. Solapur South Tehsil (Part) Revenue Circle - Hotgi, Mandrup, Vinchur.
252 Pandharpur Vidhan Sabha Constituency - 1. Mangalvedhe Tehsil, 2. Pandharpur Tehsil (Part) Revenue Circle- Kasegaon, Pandharpur and Pandharpur (MC).
253 Sangole Vidhan Sabha Constituency - 1. Sangole Tehsil, 2. Pandharpur Tehsil (Part)- Revenue Circle Bhalawani.
254 Malshiras Vidhan Sabha Constituency (SC) - Malshiras Tehsil (Part) Revenue Circle - Dahigaon, Natepute, Sadashivnagar, Malshiras, Akluj, Velapur, Piliv.