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Solapur सोलापूर
Metropolitan area
File:Satrasta, Solapur.jpg
Nickname: Siddeshwar Nagari
Country	India
State	Maharashtra
District	Solapur
Government
• Body	Greater Municipal corporation
• Mayor	Sushilatai Abute
Elevation	457 m (1,499 ft)
Population
• Metropolitan area	1,002,112
• Metro	1,202,112
Demonym	Solapurkar
Language
• Official	Marathi
Time zone	UTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN	41300X
Telephone code	+91-217
Vehicle registration	MH-13 (Solapur city) MH-45 (Solapur(Akluj) rural district)
Sex ratio	52/48 ♂/♀
Website	solapur.nic.in

Solapur (pronunciation) is the 4th-largest city in the indian state of Maharashtra. It lies on the border of Maharashtra and Karnataka. It is 2 TIER city classified as B-1 by HRA classification. It is 30th-most-populous city in India and 43rd-largest urban agglomeration.

Solapur has speakers of Marathi, Kannada, Telugu and Hindi with multilingual features. Solapur is the fourth-largest district in Maharashtra in terms of land area, and seventh-largest in terms of population. The district shares its borders with the South Indian state of Karnataka.

Solapuri chadars and towels are world-famous. It has been a leading center for cotton mills and power looms in India. Solapur had the world's second-largest and Asia's largest spinning mill.

The chief deity of the city is Shri Siddheshwar. The "Nandidhwaj" procession on Makar Sankranti is celebrated on 14 January. An annual fair locally known as 'Gadda Yatra' attracts large crowds. Solapur Municipal Corporation extended its area up to 300 square kilometres (120 sq mi) by merging its suburbs.

Etymology and history

The Solapur District was ruled by various dynesties such as Andhrabhratyas, Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, Yadavas and Bahamanis. 'Solapur' spelled in (Marathi: सोलापूर) is believed to be derived from the combination of two Devnagari words: 'Sola (Devnagari: सोला/सोळा)' meaning "Sixteen" and 'pur (Devnagari: पूर)' 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 up to 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 period, 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 Solapur Municipal Council was the first municipal council of India to hoist the national flag on the Municipal Council building in 1930. The municipal co-operation building was built by Mallappa Warad. He was also one of the first ones to bring the farming tractor in India. It was his wish that the building should be used for some public purpose and thus the building was made the municipal council. The building is also called 'Indrabhavan' which means Adobe of Indra. Mallappa Warad was also one of the ten members of 'Chamber of Merchants' under Queen Victoria.

Taking the spirit of Dandi March from Mahatma Gandhi, the freedom fighters of solapur hoisted the National Flag on 6 April 1930 on the Municipal Council building. This was the first and the unique incidence of such kind throughout the country.

During the Indian independence movement, the people of Solapur enjoyed full freedom on 9–11 May 1930. However, this resulted in the executions of Mallappa Dhanshetti, Abdul Rasool Qurban Hussein, Jagannath Bhagwan Shinde and Shrikisan Laxminarayan Sarada, who were hanged on 12 January 1931, in the prison at Pune. This resulted in the city becoming recognised as "The City of Hutatmas".

Toponomy

Inscriptions of Shivayogi Shri. Siddheshwar of the time of the Kalachuris of Kalyani (Basavakalyan) suggest that the town was called "Sonnalage" which came to be pronounced as "Sonnalagi". 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, It was the main commercial hub of the Devagiri Yadavas and an important trading city.The town was known as Sonnalagi even up to the times of the Yadavas of Devagiri.

Demographics

Solapur has a Marathi-speaking majority followed by sub-major Kannada, Telugu. Its literacy is 85%, with 86% males and 80% females.

Geography and climate

Solapur is located at 17°41′N 75°55′E / 17.68°N 75.92°E / 17.68; 75.92. It has an average elevation of 458 metres (1502 feet). It is bordered by Ahmednagar district on the north; Osmanabad district on the north and northeast.

Gulbarga district (Karnataka state) on the southeast and south; Bijapur District (Karnataka State), Sangli district on the south and southwest; Satara district on the west, and Pune district on the northwest. It is situated at a distance of 410 km (250 mi) from the Maharashtra State Capital of Mumbai by road and train.

Solapur is at a distance of 245 km (152 mi) from Pune and 305 km (190 mi) from Hyderabad. Solapur is situated on the Deccan plateau.

Solapur falls under the category of dry (arid and semiarid) climate according to the Köppen climate classification. The city experiences three distinct seasons: summer, monsoon and winter. Typical summer months are from March to May, with maximum temperatures ranging from 30 to 40 °C (86 to 104 °F). The warmest months in Solapur are April and May. The typical maximum temperatures being 40 °C (104 °F) or more. The highest temperature ever recorded is 48 °C (118 °F) in April 1988. Although summer does not end until May or even the midst of June, the city often receives locally developed heavy thundershowers in May (although humidity remains high). The monsoon lasts from June to the end of September, with moderate rainfall. The city of Solapur receives an average rainfall of 545 mm (21.5 in) per year. Winter begins in November and lasts until the end of February, with the temperatures occasionally dropping below 10 °C (50 °F). Solapur lies very close to the seismically active zone around Killari (Dist. Latur), about 100 km (62 mi) east of the city.

Civic administration

The civic administration of the city is managed by the Solapur Municipal corporation, which was established on 1 May 1964 in the building constructed by Mallappa Warad in 1930. The corporation oversees the engineering works, health, sanitation, water supply, administration and taxation in the city. It is headed by a Mayor who is assisted by Municipal Commissioner and elected representatives. The city is divided into 125 wards and 6 zones. The corporation members also known as corporators are elected by the citizens of Solapur every five years. The corporators in turn elect the Mayor. Its activities include developing new layouts and roads, town-planning and land-acquisition. The electrical supply to the city is managed by the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited.

Education

University

• Solapur University

The colleges and the institutes in center of Shivaji University (Kolhapur) at Solapur was functioning with the three departments Polymer Chemistry, Applied Physics/ Electronics and Geology with the masters courses and M. Phil, PhD research in these areas. The center was located on the old campus of Dr. V. M. Government Medical College that was later on relocated to Police Golibar Maidan. The center was transformed to the university to serve the students of Solapur district and was formally inaugurated on 3 August 2004.

Colleges

Solapur is home to 14 engineering, 2 medical colleges and 1 dental college; it also has another 40 colleges in the city extent.

Science Museum

Solapur has a Science Centre, which is a Science Museum and is the third in the state after Nehru Science Centre, Worli, Mumbai and Raman Science Centre, Nagpur. The Science Centre is located at Hiraj Road, Near Solapur University beside the Pune-Solapur National Highway. The Centre works with the motto of propagating science to the masses. Night sky observation through telescopes is one of the many programmes of the Centre.

Economy

Solapur is located on an important junction of the North–South railway line, a good base for its industries for logistical reasons, with approximately 98 medium and 8,986 smaller industries. Solapur is one of the leading centres for handlooms, power looms and cotton mills.

Tourism

An important tourist destination is Siddeshwar Temple, the abode of Siddheshwar(Siddhrameshwara) built in the 16th century. It attracts 3.5 million pilgrims yearly. Solapur is also famous for its Markandeya Temple built in 1893, the Venkateshwara Temple built in 1970, and the Rupa Bhavani temple built in the 19th century, Shri Shankar Temple. Solapur has a Bhui (land based) fort in the city centre.

Shrine of Hazrat Saiful Mulk Chisti (rehmatullahe aleh)Hydra Sharif located at Tal, Akkalkot, Dist.Solapur Dating back to 555 A.D.

Shrine of Hazrat Shaikh Nooruddin Chishi (rehmatullahe aleh)located at Akkalkot Dist., Solapur. Its dedicated to a Muslim saint Hazrat Nooruddin. Pilgrims visit this holy place from all around India every year for a Festive of the said saint.

Hazarat Shah Zahur Dargah - Hazarat Shah Zahur Dargah is located at heart of city. It is dedicated to Hazarat Shah, a Muslim saint who had performed several miracles.It is dating back to 560A.D. A festival is held here on 10th, 11th and 12th of the Muslim month Safar every year.

Pandharpur is a holy place of Shri.Vitthal and Shri.Rukmini. It is also known as the Southern Kashi of India and Kuldaivat of Maharashtra State. It is located at a distance of 72 km by road. from Solapur District headquarters.

Media

Solapur has 3 radio channels; Big FM, Radio City and Solapur FM.Newspapers: "Sanchar", Saakal, Lokmat, Punya Nagari, Keshari,Pudhari, Divya Marathi and by English daily papers from Pune (Times of India, Indian Express).

Sports

Ranji Cricket Tournaments are played on Indira Gandhi Stadium.

Environment

Solapur is one of the most-polluted cities in India, as many vehicles are run on diesel fuel. It also generates tremendous smog emitted by factories and sugar factories and heavy textiles industries in the city's suburb. Various efforts are being made by MNC to reduce pollution and environmental effects. The city has launched a GO-GREEN scheme by planting trees in the city and developing greenery.

Transport

Rail

Solapur railway station is the main hub within the city. The Solapur Railway Division is an important division connecting South India to Western & North west India. Trains from Ahmedabad, Jaipur, New Delhi, Mumbai, Pune etc., ply to Southern states (Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu & Kerala) via Solapur.

It is served daily by Solapur Banglore express, Solapur Nagpur, Solapur Pune Hutatma Express, Solapur Mumbai, Solapur Jaipur Superfast express and Solapur Goa Express.

Road

Solapur is well-connected by road with major cities of Maharashtra as well as the adjoining State Capital of Hyderabad and important cities in Karnataka by four National Highways – NH 9 highway connecting Pune with Vijaywada via Hyderabad, NH-13 connecting Solapur to Mangalore, Karnataka and NH-211 connecting Solapur to Dhule. Ratnagiri-Nagpur National highway NH-204 passes through city, connecting Solapur to other important cities in Maharashtra like Nagpur, Sangli, Kolhapur and Nanded.Recently sanctioned National Highways- Solapur - Gulbarga and Ratnagiri-Solapur-Nagpur.

Airport

Solapur Airport (IATA code: SSE) is located to the south of Solapur city. At present it is not covered by any airline operator.

Sister cities

• Guatemala City Guatemala
• Shaoxing China
• Kandy sri lanka

Natives and residents

• Walchand Hirachand, Indian industrialist and founder of Walchand group
• Dwarkanath Kotnis, among the physicians dispatched to China to provide medical assistance during the Second Sino-Japanese War in 1938.
• Jabbar Patel, movieman and director of movies like Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, Jait Re Jait, Umbartha and plays like Ghanshiram Kotwal
• Shashikala, actress in Marathi and Hindi Movies
• M. F. Hussain, famous painter
• Vandana Shanbagh, Arjun award winner athlete, she represented India at 1988 Olympics
• Atul Kulkarni, film actor
• Salil Ankola, member of Indian Cricket Team in 1996 world Cup, Hindi Film actor
• Polly Umrigar, one of the all time greats of Indian cricket.
• Sushilkumar Shinde, Former Home Minister
• Anagha Deshpande, Indian Women Cricket player

Gallery

• Shri.Siddheshwar Temple,Solapur.
• Shri.Siddheshwar idol at Siddheshwar Temple,Solapur
• Siddheshwar Express
• main entrance of Solapur Railway Station
• Shri Siddharameshwara
• 
• Solapur Pune Highway Solapur Pune Highway
• Zashichi Rani Laxmibai Statue, Solapur Zashichi Rani Laxmibai Statue, Solapur
• File:Siddheshwar Temple 1.jpg
• 

See also

• List of twin towns and sister cities in India

References

1. "Demography" (PDF). solapur.gov.in. 2013. Retrieved June 2014. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
2. "Solapur History. Government of Maharashtra" (PDF). Retrieved 25 June 2009.
3. "Solarpur District at a Glance" (PDF). solapur.gov.in. 2013. Retrieved June 2014. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
4. Solapur Corporation. Solapur corporation. Retrieved on 5 June 2011.
5. Sholapur Airport (SSE) Details – India. World-airport-codes.com. Retrieved on 5 June 2011.

External links

• Solapur Government Site
• Kite Workshop in Limca Book of Records 2013

v t e Solapur district topics
History	Seuna (Yadava) dynasty Mallappa Dhanshetty Shrikisan Laxminarayan Sarada Walchand Hirachand Chandrashekhar Agashe Brihan Maharashtra Sugar Syndicate
Rivers	Bhima River
Dams	Ujjani Dam
Tehsils	Akkalkot Barshi Karmala Madha Solapur North Solapur South
Cities and towns	Akkalkot Barshi Karmala Madha Malshiras Mangalwedha Mohol Pandharpur Sangole Solapur Shreepur
Places to see	Pandharpur Mangalwedha
Education	University of Solapur Walchand Institute of Technology
Transport	Solapur Junction
Lok Sabha constituencies	Madha Osmanabad Solapur
Vidhan Sabha constituencies	Akkalkot Barshi Karmala Madha Malsiras Mohol Pandharpur Sangola Solapur City Central Solapur City North Solapur South
Culture	Lavani Abhang
Sports	Indira Gandhi Stadium

v t e State of Maharashtra
Capital: Mumbai Second capital: Nagpur
Topics	History Geography Economy Tourism Highest point Marathi language Culture Marathi people Marathi literature Marathi cinema Maharashtrian cuisine Sports
Regions	Desh Khandesh Konkan Mumbai Metropolitan Region Marathwada Vidarbha North Maharashtra
Divisions and Districts	Amravati division Akola Amravati Buldhana Washim Yavatmal Konkan division Mumbai Mumbai Suburban Palghar Raigad Ratnagiri Sindhudurg Thane Aurangabad division Beed Aurangabad Osmanabad Hingoli Jalna Latur Nanded Parbhani Nagpur division Bhandara Chandrapur Gadchiroli Gondia Nagpur Wardha Nashik division Ahmednagar Dhule Jalgaon Nandurbar Nashik Pune division Kolhapur Pune Sangli Satara Solapur
Million-plus cities in Maharashtra	Mumbai Pune Nagpur Thane Pimpri-Chinchwad Nashik Kalyan-Dombivli Vasai-Virar Aurangabad Navi Mumbai
Other cities with municipal corporations	Ahmednagar Akola Amravati Bhiwandi Chandrapur Dhule Ichalkaranji Jalgaon Kolhapur Latur Malegaon Mira-Bhayandar Nanded Panvel Parbhani Sangli Solapur Ulhasnagar
Government	Chief Ministers Legislature (Legislative Council Legislative Assembly) Police Bombay High Court
Portal:India

• Solapur