Phaltan

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name = Phaltan | type = city | latd = 17.98 | longd = 74.43
locator_position = right | state_name = Maharashtra
district = Satara
leader_title =
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altitude = 568
population_as_of = 2001
population_total = 50,798| population_density =
area_magnitude= sq. km
area_total =
area_telephone =
postal_code =
vehicle_code_range =
sex_ratio =
unlocode =
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Phaltan is a city, a taluka and a municipal council in Satara district in the Indian state of Maharashtra. The town is about 59 km north-east of the city of Satara. Phaltan has one of the eleven Industrial Training Institutes of the district.

History

The Principality of Phaltan was one of the non-salute princely states of British India, under the central division of the Bombay Presidency, under the States of the Kolhapur-Dekkan Residency, Satara Agency and later the Deccan States Agency. It was one of the Satara Jagirs. The state measured 397 square miles (1,028 km²) in area. According to the 1901 census, the population showed a decrease of 31% in the decade at 45,739. The population of the town itself was 9,512 in that year. In 1901, the state enjoyed revenue estimated at £13,000- and paid a tribute to the British Raj of £640. Its flag was a rectangular bicolor, orange over green.

The Hindu ruling family was descended from Naik Nimbraj I Nimbalkar (1284-1291), a Maratha who received a grant from a Mughal emperor in the 14th century. The ruler had the title of Raja, or Naik Nimbalkar. The first wife, SaiBai, of 17th century emperor Shivaji was from Phaltan. Major HH Raja Bahadur Shrimant Malojirao Mudhojirao Nanasaheb Naik Nimbalkar IV was the last Ruler of Phaltan.

Phaltan acceded to the Dominion of India on March 8 1948 and is currently a part of Maharashtra state. The sitting member of the State Legislative Assembly belongs to the royalty Ram Raje Naik Nimbalkar. [1911]

Phaltan is home to the famous Nimbkar Agricultural Research Institute, an NGO working towards holistic living, sustainable agriculture and rural development.cite web
url = http://nariphaltan.virtualave.net/
title = NARI
accessdate = 2007-04-24
last =
first =
work =
publisher = Nimbkar Agricultural Research Institute]

It is also an important centre of Mahanubhav (Jaykrishni) Sampraday.

Geography

Phaltan is located at coord|17.98|N|74.43|E| [ [http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/16/Phaltan.html Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Phaltan] ] . It has an average elevation of 568 metres (1863 feet).

Places of interest around Phaltan are: Airport (Vimantal); Maljai Mandir; Saibaba Mandir; Dhumalwadi (15 km from Phaltan, famous for waterfall); Jabreshwar MandirThere are some famous forts around Phaltan such as Wathar Nimbalkar, Santoshgad, Varugad, Mahimangad & Vardhangad. The fort Vardhangad can be reached from Satara also.

Phaltan's climate is an inland climate of Maharashtra. The temperature has a relatively high range between 15°C to 45°C. Nimbkar Agricultural Research Institute [http://nariphaltan.virtualave.net] has kept a detailed weather data for the last 25 years which gives a good idea of the weather year round.

Summer in Phaltan is comparatively hot, and dry, compared to neighbouring inland cities. Maximum temperatures exceed 40°C every summer and typically range between 38 to 45°C. Lows during this season are around 25°C to 28°C.

The city receives very very less rainfall from June to September and it is declared as drought prone place by Government. City sometimes gets nil rainfall during the rainy season.

Phaltan experiences winter from November to February. The winter temperatures are significantly higher compared to other cities in Maharashtra such as Pune and Nasik. Lows range from 14°C to 16°C while highs are in the range of 29°C to 32°C. Humidity is low in this season making weather much more pleasant.

Demographics

As of 2001 India census [GR|India] , Phaltan had a population of 50,798. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Phaltan has an average literacy rate of 75%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 80%, and female literacy is 70%. In Phaltan, 12% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Culture

Phaltan is a very ancient city. It has a famous Temple of Shri Ram who is said to be Gram daivat of the city. There is a famous Tample of lord shiva which is called as Jabreshwar, this temple is a having beautiful stone carved design outside. Other temples in the city are Maljai Temple, Nageshwar temple, Sri Dnyaneshwar Mandir, Upalekar Maharaj Samadhi Mandir, Haribaba Samadhi mandir. The city Has a famous mosque called Badshai Masjid. Festivals like Diwali, Ganesh chaturthi, Nagpanchami (Famous as Kite Festival) are celebrated here, mainly.In the month of November or December the annual fair will be celebrataed which is called as Shri Ram Rathostav. The statues of Lord Sri Ram and Sita will be installed on a rath and it will be taken all over the city which is called as Nagarpradakshina. Now near Air Port the construction of new court building is going on. The old court building is the Rajmahal of Naik Nimbalkar Family. Now in old building family want to form new Museum. This museum will help to give information about the history of Phaltan.

Places of Entertainment at Phaltan are: Namvaibhav Theater; Rajvaibhav Theater; Indira Gandhi Sanskritik Bhavan.

Places of shopping are: Sriram Bazar; Shops in Ambedkar chowk and Shankar market.

Transport

Mostly Local transport is done by Government Buses & some private vehicals,Auto rickshaws,Two Wheelers,now a days roads are quite good. Traffic is quite chaotic with no signals. People rarely follow traffic rules. Most of the people use bicycle or two wheelers as a mode of transportation. The city has a nonfunctional airport, 2 km from the city but there is no flight landing here. State government has sanctioned the development of a domestic airport here and it will be working in 2-3 years. So it will be air-connected to major cities, very soon. State transport to major cities like Mumbai, Pune, Nasik etc. is also available from the Central Bus Stand. Few Private buses also have daily service to Pune, Mumbai every night with very affordable rates.

Education

Phaltan has a very significant footprint in the area of education. Mudhoji Naik Nimbalkar, one of the rulers of Phaltan started Mudhoji High School and Junior College wayback in 1893. It was one of the first schools in Maharashtra State where Girls were allowed to take education. Mudhoji High School has kept very high standards of education since its inception and has proved as one of the Best Schools in State. It has produced a big list of intellectuals. Apart from Mudhoji High School, Phaltan has Yashwantrao Chavan College, Mudhoji College, Kamala Nimbkar Balbhavan and various other private schools running in the city. From 2007 the construction of Law college is going on at Girvi Naka. This law college owned by Phaltan Education Scociety Phaltan.One new English Medium School has been started in the Phaltan. So there are currently 2 English medium schools in Phaltan - Shrimant Shivajiraje English Medium School (SSEMS) and Brilliant Academy. there is only one senior college nearby area of Phaltan, 'Mudhoji College, Phaltan' It has been started by the member of royal family in 1957, till date it improved lot and provides bachelor education in arts, science and commerce faculty.

External links

* List of rulers of Phaltan [http://www.uq.net.au/~zzhsoszy/ips/p/phaltan.html]
* Nimbkar Agricultural Research Institute [http://nariphaltan.virtualave.net]
* Long term weather of Phaltan [http://nariphaltan.virtualave.net/weather.pdf]
* Latitude/Longitude,Map and other details of Phaltan [http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/16/Phaltan.html]
* Satellite View of Phaltan on Wikimapea.org [http://wikimapia.org/363808/]

See also

* List of Indian Princely States

References