Bodhan
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| Bodhan | |
  Bodhan
|
|
| State - District(s) |
Andhra Pradesh - Nizamabad |
| Coordinates | |
| Area - Elevation |
- 357 m |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
| Population (2001) - Density |
71,355 - |
Bodhan is a major town in the Nizamabad district of the state of Andhra Pradesh, India. Bodhan is primarily known for the Nizam Sugar Factory and some historical sites.
Bodhan is divided into three areas: Bodhan, Rakaspet and Shakkarnagar.
Contents |
[edit] History
Bodhan was previously known as Eka Chakrapuram. The name Bodhan is probably derived from a contraction of the Telugu phrase, "bahu dhanyam kaladi", which means "rich amount of grain" and was so named because of the good grain harvests in the area.
locator_position = right | state_name = Andhra Pradesh | district = Nizamabad | leader_title = | leader_name = | altitude = 357| population_as_of = 2001 | population_total = 71,355| population_density = | area_magnitude= sq. km | area_total = | area_telephone = | postal_code = | vehicle_code_range = | sex_ratio = | unlocode = | website = | footnotes = | }} Bodhan is a city and a municipality in Nizamabad district in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India.
[edit] Bodhan
Bodhan is the birth-place of Fateh Mohammed Patel and the original home of the Patel family. The reign of Patels in Bodhan dates back centuries. The latest known connection with the recent dynasties which ruled the Deccan was the friendship of Fateh Mohammed Patel with Fath Jang Nawwab Mir Osman Ali Khan Asif Jah VII (1911-1949). Other significant historical figures from Bodhan include Maqdoom Ahmed Patel and Zakaulla Patel. Patels had a long-standing administrative hold on Bodhan until the independence in 1947. As the power enjoyed by most of them came through the then-ruling Nizam regime, their political power diminished with the independence; however, the family social privilege and status is said to be enjoyed even today.
[edit] Rakaspet
Rakaspet, Bodhan is the location of some of the events in the ancient Indian epic, The Mahabarata. Part of the story takes place in Eka Chakrapuram (then known as Ekachakra).
In the city of Ekachakra, the Pandavas stayed in the guise of brahmanas, begging for their food in the streets. There is a cave near the city, where lived a cruel and terribly strong rakshasa (demon) named Bakasura. This rakshasa was said to issue from his cave, mad with hunger, and indiscriminately kill and eat the men, women and children of the city. The citizens prayed to the rakshasa to come to some sort of bargain in place of this rampant slaughter. They prayed:
| Do not kill us wantonly at your whim and pleasure. Once a week we shall bring you sufficient meat, rice, curds and intoxicating liquors and many other delicacies. We will deliver these to you in a carriage drawn by two bullocks driven by a human being taken from each house in turn.
You can make a repast of the rice, along with the bullocks and the man, but refrain from this mad orgy of slaughter. |
The rakshasa agreed to the proposal. After a fierce battle, the rakshasa Bakasura was slain by the hero Bhima who pretended to bring him a cartload of food.
The area where Bakasura lived is now called Rakaspet. The cave on the hillside is still there and is known as Bheemudi Gutta meaning "Bhima’s Hill".
[edit] Shakkarnagar
The Nizam Sugar Factory of Bodhan was at one time Asia’s biggest sugar factory. Now owned by the Delta Paper Mills company, the factory has been renamed Deccan Nizam Sugars Pvt Ltd and the surrounding area is known as Shakkarnagar. The name is derived again from Telugu, wherein shakkar means "sugar" and nagar means "a small area where the people live".
During the time of Nizam the Sugar Factory's holdings included over 1600 Hundred Hectares of land, 14 village camps and the Super Speciality Hospital. Other services that were provided for the children of employees included the Madhu Malancha high school, junior college, and college degree programs. However, since privatization these services have ceased and the holdings have been largely sold off.
[edit] Other Historical Sites
Other historical sites in Bodhan include Vanda Stambala Gudi (Hundred Pillars Temple) and Shivalayam.
Vanda Stambala Gudi was built during the Kakatiya’s Dynasty and is similar to the Veyyi Stambala Gudi (Thousand Pillars Temple) of Warangal. However the temple has fallen into disrepair and has almost entirely disappeared.
Shivalayam is the temple of Lord Shiva. The Shivalayam Shiva Lingam, which is regarded as the representation and embodiment of Lord Shiva, is the biggest lingam in all of South India. It is said that Bodhan was once populated with a large number of devotees of Lord Shiva. The city has been flooded 7 times in recorded history. Due to this, the devotees of Lord Shiva established the temple on a hill. Whenever there is any major excavation in Bodhan and the surrounding areas, at least one idol of Lord Shiva is usually unearthed.
[edit] Geography
Bodhan is located at [1]. It has an average elevation of 357 metres (1171 feet).
[edit] Demographics
As of 2001 India censusGRIndia, Bodhan had a population of 71,355. Males constitute 50% of the population and females 50%. Bodhan has an average literacy rate of 60%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with male literacy of 66% and female literacy of 53%. 14% of the population is under 6 years of age.
[edit] External links
[edit] =SHAKKAR NAGAR
It is famous for its sugar production.Once upon a time THE NIZAM SUGARS was the second biggest sugar factory in the woorld.
