Latur

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name = Latur | type = city | latd = 18.4 | longd = 76.58
locator_position = right | state_name = Maharashtra
district = Latur
leader_title =
leader_name =
altitude = 631
population_as_of = 2001
population_total = 299,828| population_density =
area_magnitude= sq. km
area_total =
area_telephone = 02382
postal_code = 413512, 413531
vehicle_code_range =
sex_ratio =
unlocode =
website =
footnotes =

Latur (Marathi: लातुर) is a city and a municipal council in Latur district in Maharashtra state of India. It is well known for its foodgrain trade and oil mills.

History

Latur has a long history which probably dates to the Rashtrakuta period. The first Rashtrakuta king Dantidurga was from Lattalur, probably the ancient name for Latur. Anecdotally, Ratnapur is also mentioned as a name for Latur.

The King 'Amoghvarsha' of Rashtrakutas developed the Latur city, originally the native place of the Rashtrakutas. The Rashtrakutas who succeeded the Chalukyas of Badami in 753 A.D called themselves the residents of Lattalut.

Before 1948, Latur was a part of Hyderbad state under Nizam. The chief of Nizam's Razakar army Qasim Razwi was from Latur. Until 1981 Latur was a Taluqa town in Osmanabad district in Marathwada region of Maharashtra. On 16th August 1981, a separate Latur district was carved out of Osmanabad district.

Transportation and Communication

Post and telegraph services: Only 250 villages of total 914 died (1991 census) had post offices, serving 52.27% of the rural population. State highways passing through the district and road services: Among the important state highways running through the district are the Nagpur-Bori-Adhampur, Daund-Barshi-Osmanabad-Bantal-Ausa, Miraj-Pandharpur-Barshi-Latur and Manjarsumba-Kij-Lokhandi-Savargaon state highways. Bus routes to the district headquarters connect 80% of the villages. Important railway stations and railway services: The important railway stations are Latur, Latur Road and Udgir. The district has 148 km of broad gauge railway lines of which 65 km was narrow gauge until year 2007. Road Connectivity: 889 villages are connected by road, of which 781 are connected by all-weather roads. State highway running across the district are 845 km. Total road length in the district is 8,763 km.

Culture and Religion

Fairs and festivals: Shri Siddeshwar fair at Latur is held every year. Thousands of people attend the Gangaram Maharaj Samadhi every Ekadashi at Hattibet in Udgir tehsil. Religious places: Ausa, Hattibet, Nilanga, Renapur, Shirur Anantpal, Tambala, Ujani History: Latur has an ancient history. It was home to the Rashtrakutas and was part of Ashoka's empire. It was, over the centuries, variously ruled by the Satavahanas, the Sakas, the Chalukyas, the Yadavas of Deogiri, the Delhi Sultans, the Bahamani rulers of South India, Adil Shahi, and the Mughals. Later in the 19th century it became part of the independent princely state of Hyderabad. Earlier known as Naldurg tehsil, in 1905 it was merged with surrounding areas and renamed Latur tehsil, and became part of Osmanabad district. After independence and the merger of Hyderabad with the Indian Union, Osmanabad became part of Bombay Province. In 1960, with the creation of Maharashtra, it became one of its districts. On August 15, 1982, Latur was separated from Osmanabad to form a separate Latur district. The district may be divided into two regions -- the Balaghat plateau, and the northeastern region consisting of Ahmadpur and Udgir.

Geography

Latur is located at coord|18.4|N|76.58|E| [ [http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/16/Latur.html Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Latur] ] . It has an average elevation of 631 metres (2070 feet). It is situated 636 metre above mean sea level. The district is situated on Maharashtra-Karnataka boundary. On the eastern side of the Latur is Bidar district of Karnataka, whereas Nanded is on the northeast, Parbhani on the northern side, Beed on the Northwest and Osmanabad on the western and southern side.The entire district of Latur is situated on the Balaghat plateau, 540 to 638 metres from the mean sea level.

Latur Earthquake of 1993

Latur had a devastating, though only midly severe, earthquake on 30 September 1993 resulting in a huge loss of life. The earthquake measured only 6.3 on the Richter scale but more than 10,000 persons were estimated to have died mainly due to poor construction of houses and village huts made of stones which just collapsed on sleeping persons in early morning hours. It struck southern Marathwada region of Maharashtra state in central-western part of India and affected Latur, Beed, Osmanabad and adjoining districts about 400 km south-east of Mumbai (Bombay). It was an intra-plate earthquake. Latur was almost completely destroyed and life came to a standstill. The earthquake's focus was around 12 km deep - relatively shallow causing shock waves to cause more damage. The number of lives lost was high as the earthquake occurred at 03.53 a.m. local time when people were sound asleep in their homes made mainly of stones which just collapsed on them.

After the earthquake, seismic zones were reclassified in India and building codes and standards were revised in all parts of India.

Transport

Air

Latur has an airport, used for landing of private planes and helicopters. Soon commercial flights between Mumbai- Latur would start.

Rail

Latur has a newly constructed railway station which is well connected to Mumbai and Hydrabad. The railway to the east is broad gauge while the railway to the west towards Kurduvadi which was narrow gauge was conversion in 2007 under Project Unigauge.

Trade

Latur was one of the important trading hub during the time of NIZAM OF HYDRABAD.

LATUR is known all over India for the Quality and Quantity of Pulses that it produces and especially TOOR DALL a.k.a. Arhar dal or Pegion Peas. LAtur is also a major trading center for Urad, Moong and Channa along with TUR. Also it is known for trading in Oil Seeds mainly Sun-flower and Soya Bean.

LATUR HAS GOT SOME TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

1. UDGIR: This town has a nizam fort, and it has got small temples around the city.Udgir is well conetected to latur, nanded, aurangabad, manmad, mumbai, hydrabad ANDbangluru by road and railways.

2. LASONA: This village is situated 30km away from the udgir, it has got a DATTA TEMPLE and aSAMADHI OF SHESHNATH MAHARAJ, and it has got a forest cover around it this place is very cool during hot summers and a river called Manjara flows 2km south of this village.

Education

Latur has developed as a good educational center in Maharashtra over the years.

From Past few Years, Latur emerges as a strong Educational hub for Secondary School and Higher Secondary School. Students from Latur are always in top spot when it comes to results. In last decade almost all Maharashtra Topers comes from Latur.

Latur has two MBBS Medical Colleges,one Engg College,and two polytechnic colleges.

Demographics

Latur had a population of 299,828 in 2001 India census [GR|India] . Males constitute 52% and females 48% of the population. Latur has an average literacy rate of 70%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 77%, and female literacy is 63%. In Latur, 14% of the population is under 6 years of age.

References

See also

* 1993 Latur earthquake

External links

* [http://www.LaturOnline.com/ To Explore Latur City Visit at LaturOnline.Com]
* [http://latur.nic.in/ The official site for the Latur district]
* [http://web.mid-day.com/news/city/2004/june/85578.htm An article on Latur Pattern]
* [http://www.LaturOnline.com/ All About Latur]