Barshi

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name = Barshi | type = city | latd =18.14 | longd =75.41
state_name = Maharashtra
district = Solapur
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population_as_of = 2001
population_total = 104,786| population_density =
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Barshi is a town and a municipal council in Solapur district in the state of Maharashtra, India. It is famous for its toor dal (lentil) and other agriculture products. It is also known as Door to Marathwada. In Barshi is one of two temples dedicated to Lord Bhagvant; the other is at Kashi.Barshi has considerable number of shiv temples. Some of them are Uttareshwar temple, Bhogeshwari temple,Baleshwar temple

Barshi had three cotton textile mills, although only one survives. The three were Rajan Mill, Lokmanya Mill and Barshi Textile Mill (called BTM). The last one is managed by NTC. Barshi is also known for its wholesale trading market, called "Krishi Utapanna Bazar Samiti (adhat bazzar)". Farmer and cattle owners come to Barshi from all over to sell raw commodities, crops, vegetables, fruits, animals, and animal products to wholesale buyers, who then sell to big city traders. It is emerging as a regional education centre with reputed educational institutes.

Nargis Dutt Memorial Cancer Hospital, initiated by film actor Sunil Dutt, is situated in Barshi. It has state-of-the-art facilities and is funded privately (Bill And Milinda Gates Foundation) as well as by the government.

The great spirtual guru of Kundalini Shakti, the late Vamanrao Gulawani Maharaj, lived in Barsi for almost 12 years while he worked as a young school teacher in a local high school.

Demographics

As of 2001 India census [GR|India] , Barshi had a population of 104,786. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Barshi has an average literacy rate of 71%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with 56% of the males and 44% of females literate. 12% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Barshi tahsil has 108 villages. Nari village in Barshi tahsil is known for its grapes. Jagdale Mama Hospital is a very big hospital in Barshi as weel as Nearest Two Dist.

Educational Institutes

Barshi has the schools like Sulakhe High School,Silver Jubily Prshala.The main colleges in Barshi are Shree Shivaji Mahavidyalaya and Zadbuke college.

Barshi is a best leading center In IT Field there is 35 Computer Institutes. Heare is also present a BA, B.Com, BSC, BCA, BCS, B.P.Ed, M.P.Ed, M.Sc, Agri, Engg, Diploma, ATD, Pharmacy, ITI, etc collages.

Transport

Barshi was the original terminus of the RailGauge|30 gauge Barsi Light Railway, constructed by British engineer Everard Calthrop. The Barsi Light Railway opened in 1897, and was extended on a number of occasions until it reached a total length of 202 miles (337 km) in 1927. Hughes, Hugh 1994 "Indian Locomotives Pt. 3, Narrow Gauge 1863-1940". Continental Railway Circle.] The example of the Barsi Light Railway is regarded as having revolutionised the narrow gauge railway system of Indian subcontinent. [cite web |url=http://www.irfca.org/articles/isrs/isrs082004-steam-history.html |title=Steam in History |accessdate=2008-06-02 |author=Bhandari, R R |date= |work=The IRFCA Server |publisher=Indian Railways Fan Club] Of the Barshi Railway it was said that you can get off and make a cup of tea and drink it and hop back on.Fact|date=July 2008 The railway continued to operate as a narrow gauge railway until conversion to broad gauge began in the late 1990s as part of Indian Railways conversion program for all metre and narrow gauge lines. Marshall, Lawrence C., 2001 "Indian Narrow Gauge Steam Remembered" Plateway Press, East Harling]

The conversion of the narrow gauge track of the Barshi Light Railway to broad gauge was partly completed in 2007. The converted track from Latur to Osmanabad opened in September 2007. The converted track from Osmanabad to Kurduvadi is likely to become operational by the end of 2008 and would complete the conversion project. Then broad gauge trains from Latur Road to Kurduvadi will pass through Barshi railway station and connect Barshi to Parbhani, Solapur, Pune and Mumbai, and to the national rail grid.

Barshi town is connected to Ahmednagar, Beed, Osmanabad and Latur towns by road.

References

STD Code of Barshi town is 02184.