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Home , Ahmednagar Fort, Kanifnath, Madhi, Pathardi, Sambhaji

CHAPTER-

Profile of District Chapter III

Profile of

Chapter Title of the Chapter No

3.1 Location 3.2 Key factors of Ahmednagar District a) Ahmednagar b) Vehicle Research Development Establishment

c) Chandbibi Mahal

d) Mahatma Phule Krushi Vidyapeeth

3.3 Taluka wise area and villages wise other information of Ahmednagar District

3.4 The Religious Registered Public Trusts of Ahmednagar District

a) Sai Baba Sansthan Trust, . b) Shani Shingnapur Devsthan, Sonai. c) Devsthan, , .

53 CHAPTER III

A. PROFILE OF THE AHMEDNAGAR DISTRICT :

Since the medieval times Ahmednagar was a very famous town. During the kingdom of Nizamshahi, which was formed by Malik Ahmed in 1494, Ahmednagar was the" Capital" of Nizamshahi. King Malik Ahmed named this city as Ahmed by his own name. The legend behind founding the city was Ahmed Shah, It is said that, while hunting, Ahmed Shah saw a fox attacking the hunting dog. He was impressed by the coincidence of the event and took it as a good omen. Since then he named the city as Ahmednagar after his own name.

The great diplomats like Mukmikhan, Dakhani, Salabatkhan, Chengesekhan, were from the period of Nizam empire (Nizamshahi). Some great Chieftains like King Shahji Bhosle, Kunwarsingh, Gopalrao and Sambhaji Chitnavis were from the same period.

Shah Tahir, the scholar, was also in Nizam Empire (Nizamshahi). The saints Shah Sharif and Mirawali, were also here in the same period of Ahmednagar to Mughal. In the mean time, Southern Knight Nizam-ui- Mulik disconnected his relation with Delhi court and became independent.

In 1759, Ahmednagar came under the dominance of , thereafter the British captured this city in 1803.

Taking into consideration the background of the city, Ahmednagar District came into existence in the year 1818

Initialy, the boundaries were spread between Vanidindory, the sub division of Nasik district and Karmala in Sholapur district, in the year 1830 the Sub Collector of Solapur district inducted in the district and continued as such till it gained the status of an independent coiiectorate in 1838.

54 During 1837-38, Nasik sub collectorate of the sub division of Sinner, Chandor, Dindori, Nasik, Igutpuri and Peint tahsil were under Ahmednagar district.

The post of sub-collectorate of Nasik was abolished in 1856 and the area reverted to Ahmednagar district after the declaration of Solapur and Nasik as independent district.

Ahmednagar is the largest in the State in area occupying a somewhat central position in .

3.1 Location: -

Ahmednagar district is situated partly in the upper Gandhavari basin and partly in the Bhima basin. It extends between 18.2 and 19.9, North latitudes 73.9 and 75.5 East longitudes. The district is irregular in shape and resembles a slanting cross with a length of 200 kms and a breath of 210 kms.

(It is surrounded by Beed district in East Osmanabad and Solapur districts to the South-East, district to the South and Thane to South-West, Nasik district to the West-North and District to the North- East.)

The attached graph shows the map of the boundaries of Ahmednagar District.

The area of the district is 17,048 square k.m and total population is 4088007. Average temperature is 17.8 and rainfall is 566 m.m. Elevation is 649 mtrs (2129 ft) and considers as the largest district of the state.

The district is divided into 14 talukas, the total number of villages in Ahmednagar district is 1556. Out of the above mentioned talukas the Parner is the largest tahsil and is the smallest tahsil. In May 1999 Rahata is declared as a new tahsils.

55 3.2 Key Factors of Ahmednagar District:

A) AHMEDNAGAR FORT :-

It is a historical fort in the country. During pre independence period most of the freedom fighters were kept in this fort as prisoners including the first Indian Prime Minister Late Shri Jav\/aharlal Nehru. The famous book ''Discovery of "has been written by Mr. in Ahmednagar Fort.

B) VRDE:-

The Anmednagar city is also popular for the military and contentment. A wide range has been occupied by this service. The Vehicle Research Development Establishment is one of the key activities performed in the premises of military area. It is laboratory of the Defense, Research and Development organization located in Vahannagar. Its primary function is research and development of the various light traced wheeled and specialized vehicles for defense applications. Its mission is to develop infancy combat vehicles, light armored wheeled platform and fairy of such vehicles for different purposes.

C) Chandbibi Mahah-

• Chandbibi is also known as Chand Khatun or Chand Sultana was an Indian Muslim woman worrier. She acted as the regent of Bijapur and the regent of Anmednagar. Chandbibi is best known for defending Anmednagar against Mughal forces of Emperor .

• Chandbibi Mahal is the place tomb of Salabat Khan, it is a three story structure made of solid stone. It is 13 km. away from Anmednagar situated on the top of the hill. It is a view city of the Anmednagar lights of night. It is visible from almost anywhere in the Anmednagar city.

56 D) Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth :-

It is pride of Anmednagar district where this type of Agricultural University established for the benefit of agriculturist to the nation. The jurisdiction of Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth Rahuri extends over Western Maharashtra covering ten districts. There another four agricultural Universities in the state catering similar services in their locality.The basic mandate assigned to this University in teaching, research and imparting education to the farmers of the state.

3.3 Taluka wise information:

The follov^ing table elaborates the details of Taluka wise area and villages in Ahmednagar District

Table: 3.1 Taluka wise area and villages Sr.No. Taluka Area in sq. k.m. Villages 1 Ahmednagar 1524.75 112 2 Akola 1503.79 191 3 Karjat 1493.07 121 4 725.16 81 5 Jamkhed 878.62 87 6 Newasa 1286.55 129 7 Parner 1933.25 131 8 Pathardi 1203.49 135 9 Rahata 659.19 60 10 Rahuri 1020.12 98 11 Sanaamner 1678.82 171 12 Shevgaon 1031.29 112 13 1605.83 115 14 Shrirampur 569.87 56

Source; District Socio- economic review of Ahmednagar District,2006-07

57 Soils and minerals :-

The soil of the district is broadly classified into three groups i.e. black or kali, red or tambat and the gray or inferior locally known as barad. The soil is rich in plant nutrients such as lime, magnesium and potash. The soil is relatively richer and deeper in North area of the district. The south area of Ahmednagar district shows red and gray soil.

Hills :-

The main Sahyadri ranges touch Akola tahasil in the western areas of Ahmednagar district ,from these main ranges three spurs viz; Kalasubai, Baleswar and spurt out. ' Kalasubai ' is the highest peak of Sahyadri and serves as the watershed between Darana, Pravara and Mula River. Harishchandragad is 96 kms. Long and its branch run by , serving the watershed between Pravara and Mula River. />,^ 'I Rivers :- * Jv V The Godavari and Bhima are the main rivers of this district, the Godavari is in the North and the Bhima is in the South .

The Godavari is the most celebrated river of the whole of peninsular India.

The Pravara is an important tributary of the Godavari. It originates in Akola tahasil in the eastern slopes of the Sahyadries. The Pravara has immensely benefited yhe district with its irrigation system. The Mula, Adula and the Mhalungi are important tributaries of the Pravara Rivers.

The whole of the southern portion of the district lies in the Bhima basin. The Bhima however passes only on the boundry between Ahmednagar and Pune districts. The chief tributaries of the Bhima are the Ghod and the Sina

58 Size of Land :-

The total land holders are to the tune of 6,80,608 holding land of 13,56 322 hectares. More than 75% of the land holders of the district belong to the small and marginal farmer categories. The percentage area to Gross cropped area is 32.40 %. The major crops in the district are Jowar, Bajra, Pulses and Oilseeds. The major cash crops are sugar cane, grapes, vegetables and horticultural plants.

Occupational pattern :-

Agriculture remained a main occupation in the district. Since majority in the district population is engaged in agriculture. Around 74% of workers are engaged in agricultural allied and agro based industry. Other occupations engaged only about 26% .

Industries:-

Ahmednagar Disrtict is pioneer in the field of producing sugar from sugar cane in Asia . The first Private sugar factory started in Shrirampur tahasil i.e. ''Belapur sugar and allied industries Ltd. Harigaon in the year 1949. Thereafter in the year 1953 sugar factory under co­ operative pattern took place in Pravaranagar.

There are 21 sugar factories in the district. Out of which 17 sugar factories are on co-operative pattern and 4 sugar factories are in private sector. It is also important to note that out of the above 7are producing by-products such as paper, wine, bio-gas, chemicals etc. The district products about 25% of the total sugar production of Maharashtra.

There are 3 MIDC'S and some industrial estates in the district. Other registered units are processing, ginning, pressing, spinning, and weaving mills. There are also the units as poultry, brick making, oil- mills, distilleries, paper mills and engineering units.

59 Co-operative Societies :-

There are around 9600 co-operative societies in the district. They are as follovy/ing;

1. Agricultural Credit Co-operative societies 1328 2. Non-agricultural Credit Co-operative societies 1256 3. Marketing Societies 60 4. Productive and Processing Societies 4541 5. Social Societies 2403

Banking :-

There is a large network of banks and their branches functioning in the district. Ahmednagar district central co-operative Bank Ltd. is the central financing agency for agricultural sector. The Land Development and other Commercial Banks are also functioning in the district. The following table shows the banking network in the district;

1. Commercial Banks and its branches 214 2. Branches of ADCC Bank 283 3. Urban Co-operative Banks and its branches 152

Infrastructural Facilities :-

Ahmednagar district is rich in educational facility. Education facility includes primary, schools and colleges. These institutes are providing General, Technical, Medical and vocational education to the children. The details of above are as following;

1. Pre-primary schools 2563 2. Primary schools 3262 3. Secondary schools 806 4. Higher secondary schools 152 5. Colleges 41 6. ITI 26

60 The colleges include Arts, Commerce, Science, Law, Medical, Engineering, Technical, Vocational and Agricultural. There are also adult educational centers for the benefit of the illiterate persons.

3.4 The Religious Registered Trust of Ahmednagar District:

Ahmednagar is well a known District in the state as a developed District and it is also famous for historical as well as political and religious activities. The following are some of the biggest and famous religious Mandirs and the Trusts in the District. Following are some of the important Mandirs/Trusts Ahemednagar District.

Shri.Sai Baba Sansthan Trust, Shirdi. Shani Shingnapur Devsthan Trust, Sonai, Mohtadevi Devsthan Trust, Pathardi Jagdamba Devsthan Trust, Rashin, Karjat Datta Devsthan Trust ,Devgad Newasa Kanifnath Devsthan Trust,Madhi Pathardi Janardhan Swami Devsthan Kopargaon Changdev Maharaj Devsthan Puntamba.

Out of the above the researcher has considered and studied only three of the following main and important mandirs/trusts of Ahmedngar district.

1. Shrl Sai Baba Sansthan-Shirdi 2. Shree Shani Shwar Devasthan, Singnapur (Newasa) 3. Shri Kanifnath Devasthan Madhi, Pathardi

61 l.Shrl Sai Baba Sansthan - Shirdi:

It is already mentioned earlier that it is a internationally popular and the richest mandir in the country. Thousands of devotees come every day from all around the country. Apart from this number of the visitors from foreign countries are also remarkable.

The net worth of Trust is around 1000 crores. The trust has already invested around 729 crores in Nationalized Banks. Its annual turnover is around rs.250 crores. About 20 lakh devotees visit the place every month.

The trust provided facilities like accommodation and food at the cheapest cost. Furthermore the hospitalization and educational facilities are also provided in addition to its regular administration part. Nowadays they have project of Airport and Grand facility to be provided to its devotees.

Sources of income:

There are various sources of income heads under which Shri Sai Baba Sansthan Trust received income to the tune of Rs. 7513.78 lakh, during the year 2004-05 which are as following -

This may further be grouped as

• Income by way of Donation Rs. 4823.96 lakh • Interest on deposits securities Rs. 1960.68 lakh • Interest on other Funds Rs. 535.82 lakh • Other Income Rs. 193.32 lakh

The percentage wise income received by the trust is categorized as following;

62 • By way of donations- 64.20% • By way of Interest on deposits- 26.09% • By way of Interest on Funds - 7.14% • By way of other Income - 2.57%

TABLE :** STATEMENT SHOWING YEARWISE RECEIPTS FOR FY 99-00 TO 2004-05 (Rs. in lakh)

Sr. Particulars 99-2000 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 Total % no.

1 2337.65 2811.35 3648.63 3760.62 4204.57 4823.96 21586.78 61.58 Donations

Interest on 2 867.39 1354.17 2180.54 1706.38 1797.24 1960.68 9866.40 28.15 Deposit

Interest on 3 301.4 450.93 528.83 431.64 458.21 535.82 2706.83 7.72 Fund

4 Other 65.29 123.09 133.81 163.25 214.04 193.32 892.80 2.55

5 Total 3571.73 4739.54 6491.81 6061.89 6674.06 7513.78 35052.81 100.00

GRAPH : 3.1 SHOWING YEARWISE / GROUP WISERECEIPTS FOR FY 99-00 TO 04-05

• 4 Other

g 3 Interest on Fund

• 2 Interest on Deposit

63 Table: 3.3 STATEMENT SHOWING YEARWISE/ITEMWISE EXPENDITURE FOR 99-OOTO 04-05 11 (Rs.lakh)

Particulars 1999-00 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 Total Expenses in respect of properties 782.28 573.53 494.48 488.69 484.40 230.44 3,053.82 Depreciation on properties 83.59 168.84 159.64 339.48 317.46 290.17 1,359.18 Expenses from Management Fund 1,633.58 1,633.58 Establishment Expenses 568.60 515.17 498.83 513.50 588.52 133.12 2,817.75 Depreciation on other assets 48.61 91.64 100.54 276.33 232.18 236.47 985.78 Contribution and Fees to PTA Fund 36.53 44.32 65.12 77.13 75.75 81.85 380.70

Intt. On Investment 860.89 1,349.83 2,170.93 1,696.57 1,780.25 1,946.75 9,805.21 Aid Earthquake in Gujrat 11.00 11.00

Other Charity 50.66 28.26 51.59 15.12 129.48 1,072.82 1,347.95

Educational 97.50 92.88 111.79 122.23 131.75 (15.10) 541.04

Medical Relief Fund 455.58 468.79 608.65 661.89 770.97 53.72 3,019.60 Book Value of Building demolished 15.20 15.20 Loss on Sale of Assets and Investment 0.78 12.44 5.12 9.28 0.35 27.97

Gross Expenditure 3,000.22 3,356.72 4,266.70 4,190.94 4,520.04 5,664.15 24,998.77 Excess of Income Over Expenditure transferred to Balance Sheet 571.51 1,382.83 2,225.11 1,870.95 2,154.03 1,849.64 10,054.06

Total 3,571.73 4,739.54 6,491.81 6,061.89 6,674.06 7,513.79 35,052.83

64 b. Shree Shani Shwar Devasthan, Shingnapur (Newasa):

It is very popular Devasthan, registered under the BPT Act in the year 1963. The registration no. is 588. It is administered and managed by the trustees. This holly place is recorded in 'Guinness Book' for its identity of whole village where they are having no shutters either to doors or windows.

Around 8 to 10 lakh people visit this place mostly during the time of 'Shani

Amavasya'. Every day around 15000 visitors came to visit this place. The annual turnover is around 2.5 crores. Total assets of this Devasthan up to the year 2003 was Rs. 9.37 crores.

This description is as following: a. Fixed/movable property Rs. 4.29 crores b. Investment in Bank Rs. 4.32 crores c. Furniture Rs. 0.61 crores

Source of acquisition by following ways;

• By way of donations: 1. Cash 2. In kind

• By way of other income:

1 Rentof shops and sheds 2 Sale of Gold and silver 3 Sale of books, cassettes. 4 Interest on deposits. The following are the tables showing item wise and year wise receipts and also the item wise expenditure made by the trust for the period FY 2000-01 TOFY2004-05

65 Table :3.4 STATEMENT SHOWING YEARWISE RECEIPTS FOR THE YEAR 00-01 TO 04-05 (Rs. In lakh)

Sr. PARTICULARS 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 Total % no. 44.19 1 Donations 135.98 121.76 123.63 135.90 165.09 682.36 Interest on 2 10.96 31.43 25.27 34.63 31.03 133.32 8.63 Deposit

4 Other 82.85 101.93 109.68 171.50 262.58 728.54 47.18

5 Total 229.79 255.12 258.58 342.03 458.70 1544.22 100.00

Table: 3.5 STATEMENT SHOWING ITEM WISE/YEARWISE EXPENDITURE MADE BY THE TRUST FOR THE YEAR 2000-01 TO 2004-05 (Rs. In lakh) Sr. Particulars 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 Total % No 1 Expenses in 82.67 119.92 133.10 324.94 295.33 955.96 58.57 respect of properties 2 Establishment 35.82 49.14 54.46 47.96 52.37 239.75 14.68 Expenses 3 Depreciation 0.07 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.07 0.00

4 Expenditure of 56.74 46.00 45.43 70.41 109.94 328.52 20.13 objects of the trust 5 Other 12.82 18.33 24.01 31.18 21.53 107.87 6.62

6 total 188.12 233.39 257.00 474.49 479.17 1632.17 100.0 0

66 c. Shri Kanifnath Devasthan Madhi Tal. Pathardi:

It is one of the popular devasthan in Ahmednagar district which is

registered under the Bomaby Public Trust Act, 1950.

It is being administered and managed by the committee of trusts.

Th(B following are Assets;

1. Land, Building and other Rs. 25.12 lakh

2. Investment Rs. 0.07 lakh

3. Furniture and other Rs. 3.52 lakh

4. Bank balance Rs. 2.92 lakh

5. Other Rs. 0.77 lakh

Total Rs. 32.40 lakh

As per Income and expenditure statement of FY 2005 the annual turnover is only Rs. 8.83 lakh.

By way of Donation - Receipts Rs. 4.55 lakh

By way of Donation - Offerings Rs. 3.90 lakh

The expenditure is of following nature -

Expenditure for the maintenance of property Rs. 1.10 lakh

Establishment expenses Rs. 1.20 lakh

On trust objects Rs. 4.06 lakh

Total Rs 6.36 lakh

67 The following are the tables showing item wise and year wise receipts and also the item wise expenditure made by the trust for the period FY 2000-01 to FY2004-05

Table: 3.6 STATEMENT SHOWING YEARWISE RECEIPTS FOR THE YEAR 00-01 TO 04-05 (Rs. In lakh) Sr. Particulars 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 Total % no.

1 Donations 4.32 2.76 5.47 4.37 4.55 21.47 58.12 Interest on 2 0.00 0.00 0.02 0.05 0.05 0.12 0.33 Deposit 4 Other 2.28 1.78 3.01 4.04 4.24 15.35 41.55

5 Total 6.60 4.54 8.50 8.46 8.84 36.94 100.00

Table: 3.7" STATEMENT SHOWING ITEM WISEAEARWISE EXPENDITURE FOR THE YEAR OO-Ol TO 04-05 (Rs. In Lakh)

Particulars 2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 Total %

1 Expenses in 2.15 1.25 1.41 2.35 1.10 8.26 22.96 respect of properties 2 Establishment 2.22 0.86 1.08 1.51 1.20 6.87 19.10 Expenses 3 Depreciation 0.40 0.41 0.43 0.93 1.03 3.20 8.90

4 Expenditure 3.23 2.25 3.50 3.99 4.06 17.03 47.34 of objects of the trust 5 Other 0.04 0.09 0.24 0.24 0.00 0.61 1.70

6 Total 8.04 4.86 6.66 9.02 7.39 35.97 100.00

During last five years an amount of Rs. 36.94 lakh has been received by way of donations, interest on deposits and other activities. 58.12% amount has been received by way of donations only and 41.55% amount has been received by other activities. The average receipts are to the tune of Rs. 7.39 lakh per year. Out of the above receipts of Rs 36.94 lakh, the expenditure stands to Rs. 35.97 lakh which stands to 97.37 % of total income. The annual average expenditure is 7.19 lakh.

68 An amount of Rs. 17.03 lakh towards the objects of the trust, i.e. 47.34% of the total expenditure of Rs. 35.97lakh.The another major head of the expenditure is expenses in respect of properties, an amount of Rs.8.26 lakh which is 22.96% has been incurred during last five years. Establishment expenses of Rs. 6.87 lakh i.e. 19.10 % has also been increased during the above period

These trusts have a valuable contribution in the development of nearby area of the religious place as well as in the whole district. It helps to create friendly and brotherly relations among the different communities. Therefore this district is recognized as the peaceful and visionary in nature.

69