Medak
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Medak
Andhra Pradesh • India |
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| District(s) | Medak |
| Coordinates | |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
| Area • Elevation |
• 442 m (1,450 ft) |
| Population | 41,916 (2001) |
Medak is a city and a municipality in Medak District in Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh, India. It is 100km to the north of Hyderabad.
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[edit] Geography
Medak is located at [1]. It has an average elevation of 442 metres (1450 feet).
[edit] Demographics
As of 2001 India censusGRIndia, Medak had a population of 1,41,916. Males constitute 50% of the population and females 50%. Medak has an average literacy rate of 66%: male literacy is 74%, and female literacy is 57%. In Medak, 13% of the population is under 6 years of age.
[edit] Architecture
Medak, a historic town originally called Siddapur, reached its pinnacle during the Kakatiya dynasty reign. Medak has a citadel dating back to the Kakatiyas. It was built during the reign of Kakatiya emperor Prataparudra. Strategically built on a hillock, it was called the Methukudurgam (and Methukuseema), from the Telugu word Methuku - meaning cooked rich grain. The main entrance proudly displays the double-headed bird "Gandabherundam" of the Kakatiyas. The Medak fort stands as an epitome of architectural excellence of the Kakatiya dynasty. The water to the fort was served through a pipeline from a well inside the fort. It has three main entrances, the "Prathama Dwaram", the "Simha Dwaram" or Lions Entrance that has two snarling lions at the top of the entrance and the "Gaja Dwaram" or Elephant's Entrance that has a sculpture of two elephants interlocked on both sides of the entrance. At the fort one can see a 17th century cannon that is 3.2 metres long. The cannon has a trident etched on it. This fortress uses the natural topography to the maximum advantage with the rocky face offering it natural defences.
[edit] Culture
The Medak Cathedral belongs to the single largest diocese in Asia and second largest in the world after the Vatican, is a priceless heritage. It was built by the Wesleyan Methodists of British origin and is now under the Church of South India - Diocese of Medak.
This famous Cathedral was built with love and crafted to perfection. This church was built during a famine that struck Medak during World War I. Reverend Charles Walker Posnett was posted as Reverend in Medak during that time. Moved by the plight of the people due to the unprecedented famine that lasted for three years, he proposed to build a great church at Medak in the year 1914. It took ten continuous years to complete this beautiful piece of architecture. With its massive dimensions the church can accommodate as many as 5000 people at a time.
Word also has it that when the Nizam of Hyderabad came to know that the height of this Cathedral was far exceeding that of the Charminar, he ordered that its height be brought down. The Right Reverend B.P.Sugandhar is the present Bishop-in-Medak.
The excavations at Kondapur, located 15 km from Sangareddy and 60 km from Medak, have brought to light the remains of Satavahana dynasty and a few Buddhist structures. The Kondapur Museum is maintained by the Archeological Survey of India. The Kondapur Museum contains about 8,100 antiquities at present. It houses the coins of the Satavahana kings which led some scholars to come to the conclusion that Kondapur was one of the thirty walled towns of the Satavahanas. There are the remains of Chaityas and Stupas indicating that Kondapur was once a great Buddhist center. Other things which were excavated and are on display include gold coin of the Roman Emperor Augustus (37 BC -14 AD), a few silver coins, bead pieces of terra cotta bangles, shell, ivory, copper and glass embossed with designs.
[edit] Natural features
Pocharam Forest & Wildlife Sanctuary, located 15 km from Medak and 115 km from Hyderabad, was the favourite hunting ground of the Nizam and was declared a wild life sanctuary in the early part of 20th century. Named after the Pocharam lake formed from bunding of the Allair in the years 1916 - 1922, it is spread over 9.12 km². Surrounded by lush green forest, it is rich in flora and fauna and attracts a lot of winged visitors, like the bar-headed goose, Brahminy ducks and open billed stork. There is a center for Eco-Tourism where visitors can see five species of antelopes and deer. Summer temperatures go up to 46 °C & in winter it drops to 6 °C. The sanctuary is home to animals like leopard, forest cat, wild dog, wolf, jackal, sloth bear, sambar, nilgai, chinkara, chital, and four-horned antelope.
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