Bodhan

Bodhan
Town
Bodhan Location in Telangana, India Show map of Telangana Bodhan Bodhan (India) Show map of India
Coordinates: 18°40′N77°54′E / 18.67°N 77.9°E / 18.67; 77.9
Country	India
State	Telangana
District	Nizamabad
Government
• Type	State
• Body	Municipality
•  MLA	P. Sudarshan Reddy
Area [1]
• Total	35.40 km2 (13.67 sq mi)
Elevation	357 m (1,171 ft)
Population  (2011) [2] [3]
• Total	77,553
• Rank	3rd in Nizamabad
• Density	2,200/km2 (5,700/sq mi)
Languages
• Official	Telugu, Urdu
Time zone	UTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN	503 185, 503 180
Telephone code	+91 08467
Vehicle registration	TG 16
Website	bodhanmunicipality.telangana.gov.in

Bodhan is a historic town and municipal city in the Nizamabad district of Telangana, India. Located about 27 km west of Nizamabad city ,Bodhan Town is known for its rich ancient and medieval history. The town, once called Podana or Podanapura, was an important center during the Satavahana dynasty and later served as a regional capital under the Rashtrakutas. Over the centuries, Bodhan came under the rule of the Chalukyas, Kakatiyas,Bahmani Sultans, Qutb Shahis, at last the Nizams of Hyderabad, leaving behind a blend of cultural and architectural heritage, The 7th Nizam built the asia's largest sugar factory during 1911-1948 has produced sugars in large volume and exported across the world and this is how trade evolved and many people used to be employed and became growing city in 20th Century.Today, Bodhan is a growing and culturally famous for the Sri Ekachakreshwara Temple, Buddhist relics, Sri Indranarayana Temple also known for 100 pillared temple and its role as a commercial hub in north Telangana. The Chakreshwara Shiva Temple, The Renuka Yellamma Temple, Bheemuni Gutta at Rakasipet, as well as other prominent historical places such as the Pandu Teertha (Pandavas dug lake during the exile to quench the thirst of villagers of Ekachakrapuram who helped them to stay and ) and Chakra Teertha was built for The Chakreshwara Swamy seva and served the village with fresh water till the beginning of 20th century.

History

Bodhan is identified as the ancient Podana town (Podanapura), which was known to be the capital of the Asmaka Mahajanapadas of ancient India that covered present-day Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Maharashtra. ^[4] It was also served as the capital of Vinayaditya, an 8th century ruler of the Vemulavada Chalukya dynasty. ^[5]

Rakasipet is a part of Bodhan and has historical significance. It is considered that the Pandavas stayed near Bodhan while doing Aranyavas. Bhima killed Bakasura near Rakasipet (Bodhan), and that place is now known as Bhimuni Gutta.^{[ citation needed ]}

Ancient Bhagawan Bahubali Gomateshwara ruled Bodhan Asmaka. He was the second son of Rishabhanatha, who was the first tirthankara in Jainism. Bodhan is believed to be the place of death of the dynasty's Kannada-language court poet Pampa. ^[6] The samadhi (burial place) of Pampa is also believed to be located in Bodhan: it was discovered in the 1970s, when historian Yadagiri Rao deciphered a form of the old Kannada script. The samadhi is of an unidentified saint, who is believed to be Pampa. ^[7]

Asia's second largest sugar factory is in Bodhan. ^[8] According to historians, early Buddhism in South India spread through regions like Adilabad before entering Bodhan and further into the Deccan. Bodhan’s location placed it along historic trade and religious routes that likely facilitated Buddhist influence.

Demographics

Religion in Bodhan (2011) [9]
Islam			50.06%
Hinduism			46.70%
Christianity			1.82%
Other or not stated			1.42%

As of 2011 ^[update] India census, ^[10] Bodhan had a population of 77,573. Males constitute 50% of the population, and females 50%. Bodhan has an average literacy rate of 66%, which is lower than the national average of 74.04%. The literacy rates for males and females are 71% and 61%, respectively. 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Languages of Bodhan (2011) ^[11]

1. Urdu (50.3%)
2. Telugu (44.6%)
3. Marathi (2.12%)
4. Hindi (1.21%)
5. Others (1.75%)

At the time of the 2011 census, 50.30% of the population spoke Urdu, 44.62% Telugu, 2.12% Marathi and 1.21% Hindi as their first language. ^[11]

Revenue Division

Bodhan is one of the 68 revenue divisions of Telangana state. It consists of ten mandals, namely Bodhan, Varni, Chandur, Mosra, Rudrur, Kotagiri, Renjal, Saloora, Pothangal, and Yedapally. The entire division comes under ayacut of the Nizamsagar Project.

Government and politics

Civic administration

Bodhan Municipality was constituted in 1952 and is classified as a second grade municipality with 38 election wards. The jurisdiction of the civic body is spread over an area of 21.40 km² (8.26 sq mi). ^[1]

Bodhan Assembly In 2014, Shakil of TRS won the seat by a margin of 15,884 (10.37%). Shakil secured 44.02% of the total votes polled.

In the 2014 assembly elections, TRS led in the Bodhan Assembly segment of the Nizamabad Parliamentary/Lok Sabha constituency

In the 2018 assembly elections, Mr Shakil Aamir Mohammed won for the second time, representing the Bodhan constituency as a Member of Legislative Assembly with majority votes (74895). 47.14% With TRS (Telangana Rashtra Samithi) political Party, which was founded on 27 April 2001 by K Chandrashekar Rao, then-Chief Minister of Telangana.

Transport

National Highway 63 passes through this town.

Roadway

Bodhan is well connected by roadways to major towns and cities of Telangana. The town lies on National Highway 63 NH 63, which provides direct connectivity to Nizamabad, Nanded (Maharashtra), and other nearby regions. Telangana State Road Transport Corporation TSRTC operates regular bus services from Bodhan to Hyderabad, Nizamabad, Kamareddy, Armoor, and other important destinations. Local auto-rickshaws and private vehicles are the primary means of intra-town transport.

Railway

Bodhan has a railway station and is on a branch line of the Peddapalli-Nizamabad line which provides it connectivity to Nizamabad. ^[12]

In October 2023, the Karimnagar-Nizamabad MEMU was extended up to Bodhan. ^[13]

Airway

The Domestic airport located at Nanded in Maharashtra (approximately 90-100km from Bodhan),an international airport is RGIA (Rajiv Gandhi International Airport), Hyderabad, located about 210 km away, offering domestic and international connectivity, is another nearby option for the International and domestic flights.

References

1. "Urban Local Body Information" (PDF). Directorate of Town and Country Planning. Government of Telangana. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 June 2016. Retrieved 28 June 2016.
2. "District Census Handbook – Karimnagar" (PDF). Census of India. pp. 11, 36. Retrieved 11 June 2016.
3. "Census 2011". The Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. Retrieved 25 July 2014.
4. Sen, Sailendra Nath (1999). Ancient Indian History and Civilization. New Age International. p. 109. ISBN   9788122411980.
5. Jaisetty Ramanaiah (1989). Temples of South India: A Study of Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist Monuments of the Deccan. Concept. p. 22. ISBN   978-81-7022-223-1.
6. Countdown to World Telugu Conference begins
7. Kannada aadikavi Pampa’s samadhi lies in ruins at Bodhan
8. "Telangana government takes over Nizam Sugar Factory". www.business-standard.com. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
9. "C-01 Population By Religious Community: Andhra Pradesh". Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India.
10. "Census of India 2011: Data from the 2011 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Retrieved 18 July 2016.
11. "Table C-16 Population By Mother Tongue (Town level): Andhra Pradesh". Census of India . Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India.
12. "Bodhan Railway Station Forum/Discussion - Railway Enquiry".
13. "Four train services extended, to be flagged off from Telangana on October 9 - the New Indian Express".