Latur district

Latur has an ancient history, which probably dates to the Rashtrakuta period. It was home to a branch of Rashtrakutas which ruled the Deccan 753-973 AD. The first Rashtrakuta king Dantidurga was from Lattalur, probably the ancient name for Latur. Anecdotally, Ratnapur is mentioned as a name for Latur.

The King Amoghavarsha of Rashtrakuta developed Latur city, originally the native place of the Rashtrakutas. The Rashtrakutas who succeeded the Chalukyas of Badami in 753 AD called themselves the residents of Lattalur.

It was, over the centuries, ruled by the Satavahanas, the Sakas, the Chalukyas, the Yadavas of Devgiri, the Delhi Sultans, the Bahamani rulers of South India, Adilshahi, and the Mughals.

In the 17th century, it became part of the independent princely state of Hyderabad. Under the Hyderabad of Nizams, the tax system was reformed and many of the exploitative taxing practices were ended.[3] In 1905 it was merged with surrounding areas, renamed Latur tehsil, and became part of Osmanabad district, which until 17 September 1948 was a part of Hyderabad Kingdom under the Nizams. The chief of Nizam's Razakar army Qasim Rizwi was from Latur.

After independence and the merger of Hyderabad with the Indian Union, Osmanabad became part of Bombay Province. On 1 May 1960, with the creation of Maharashtra, Osmanabad was one of its districts. Because of the concerted efforts of Former Cooperation minister Keshavrao Sonawane and then newly elected member of assembly Vilasrao Deshmukh on 16 August 1982, a separate Latur district was carved out of Osmanabad district.[4]

In Latur's Papvinashak Temple a 12th-century Kannada inscription of Western Chalukya emperor Someshvara III was found. According to that inscription, 500 scholars were living in Lattlaur (Latur) at that time and that Latur was the city of King Someshwar.

Latur district is in the Marathwada region in Maharashtra in India, located between 17°52' North to 18°50' North and 76°18' East to 79°12' East in the Deccan plateau. It has an average elevation of 631 metres (2,070 ft) above mean sea level. The entire district of Latur is on the Balaghat plateau, 540 to 638 metres from the mean sea level.

Latur District is bound by Nanded district to the northeast, Bidar district of Karnataka to the southeast, Osmanabad district to the south-west, and Beed and Parbhani districts to the northwest.

On 30 September 1993 an earthquake struck Latur. It is the 16 largest city in Maharashtra.

According to the 2011 census Latur district had a population of 2,454,196,[2] roughly equal to the nation of Kuwait[12] or the US state of Nevada.[13] This gives it a ranking of 181st among the districts of India (out of a total of 640).[2] The district had a population density of 343 inhabitants per square kilometre (890/sq mi).[2] Its population growth rate over the decade 2001-2011 was 18.04%.[2] Latur had a sex ratio of 924 females for every 1000 males,[2] and a literacy rate of 79.03%. 25.46% of the population lived in urban areas. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes make up 19.60% and 2.34% of the population respectively.[2]

At the time of the 2011 Census of India, 81.75% of the population in the district spoke Marathi, 8.08% Hindi, 6.37% Urdu and 1.82% Lambadi as their first language.[14]

Shri Siddeshwar fair at Latur is held every year. Thousands of people attend the Gangaram Maharaj Samadhi every Ekadashi at Hattibet in Udgir tehsil.

In January 2011, the first ever 'Latur Festival' was organised on 10, 11 and 12 January under the guidance of Mr. Amit Deshmukh. The grand success of this event has now ensured a permanent spot on the cultural calendar. Now this is an annual fixture. The event is organised by the Latur Club.

Administratively the district is divided into five subdivisions namely Latur, Nilanga, Ausa, Ahmadpur and Udgir, and further divided into ten talukas & ten Panchayat Samitis. These are Latur, Udgir, Ahmedpur, Ausa, Nilanga, Renapur, Chakur, Deoni, Shirur Anantpal, and Jalkot. Latur city is the administrative headquarters of the district. There are around 945 villages & 786 Gram Panchayats in the district.

There are six Vidhan Sabha constituencies in Lutur District. These are Latur City, Latur Rural, Udgir, Ausa, Nilanga and Ahmedpur.[19] The district votes in two Lok Sabha constituencies Osmanabad for Ausa, and Latur for the other five.[20]

Latur city is only a municipal corporation in the district Udgir, Ahmadpur, Ausa, Nilanga are the major urban centers in the district and all have Municipal Councils. The following are the 28 largest villages, administered by gram panchayats, followed by their 2011 population:

• Murud 25,978
• Chakur 16,122
• Killari 15,259
• Nalegaon 14,983
• Aurad Shahajani 12,894
• Renapur 11,596
• Deoni 11,276
• Pangaon 10,521
• Kingaon 9,665
• Shirur Tajband 9,191
• Shirur Anantpal 8,682
• Kasarshirshi 8,139
• Wadhawana 8,132
• Jalkot 7,912
• Wadwal Nagnath 7,289
• Sakol 7,018
• Hadolti 7,013
• Ujani 6,434
• Matola 6,393
• Kharola 6,260
• Babhalgaon 7,353
• Bhada 5,938[21]
• Halgara 5,844
• Handarguli 5,801
• Chapoli 5,778
• Nitoor 5,751
• Lohara 5,682
• Chincholi Ballalnath 5,053

• Udgir fort: Udgir town has witnessed the war between the Marathas and the Nizam of Hyderabad which took place in 1761. The Marathas led by Sadashivrao Bhau defeated the Nizam and the treaty of Udgir was signed. The fort of Udgir is bounded by a 40 feet (12 m) deep trench as the fort is built at the ground level. In the fort are several palaces Durbar halls and the Samadhi of Udaygir Maharaj which is 60 feet (18 m) under the normal ground level. The fort has some rare inscriptions written in Arabic and Persian.
• Ausa Fort: This fort is situated in a depression surrounded by high ground on all the sides, so that from its highest point one can have a view of approaching armies, even at a great distance, while the main parts of the fort remain hidden. Almost square in shape, the fort is surrounded by a moat or khandak (ditch), nearly 36.58 metres (120.0 ft) in width, now nearly dry.
• Kharosa Caves: Is a small village situated at 45 kilometres (45,000 m) from Latur city. The sculptures in the cave include Buddha, Narsimha, Shiv Parvati, Kartikeya, and Ravan among many others. According to the historians these caves were built in the sixth century during the Gupta period. The temple "Renuka Devi Mandir", and mosque "Pirpasha Darga" are also situated around the caves.
• Wadwal Nagnath Bet (Hill): This hill is home to very rare species of Ayurvedic bushes and plants. It is 16.5 kilometres (16,500 m) away from Chakur and 39 kilometres (39,000 m) from Latur city. The hill is of 650 feet (200 m) height from the ground and is 3 kilometres (3,000 m) from the Wadwal-Nagnath village.
• Hattibet-Devarjan: Located near Udgir, on a small hill is the Samadhi of Gangaram Maharaj. The place is also known for cave carvings. The place has given birth to several freedom fighters who died in the Hyderabad freedom struggle.
• Sai Nandanwan: Another tourist spot near Chakur. Spread into nearly 400 acres (1.6 km²), it has mango plantations, water park and amusement park. A temple of Satya Sai Baba is situated in the middle of the park.
• Lohara: A village in Udgir Taluka known for the Mahadev Bet (hill) & Gabeisaheb Bet. Beninath maharaj math is operative since the times of Nizam shahi dynasty.
• Dongraj: A village in Chakur tehsil known for Malleppa temple of lord Shiva situated at border of five villages. The pilgrimage at Dongraj is organised at Malleppa Temple during shravani months and temple of sant Ambadas Maharaj. Various sports tournaments are organised during pilgrimage.
• Shri Keshav Balaji Devasthan Ausa : A Hindu Mandir near Ausa city placed on Yakatpur Road. It is created on the basis of Balaji Mandir Tirupati. This Temple & some Surrounding area is a private property but every devotee can go there for Darshan or Tourisms. It is the second most attractive place in Ausa City after 'The Ausa Fort'. Accommodation Facility is available near the temple.

Latur became one of the important trading hub during the time of Nizams of Hyderabad. It is an industrial center as well as agriculture-based economy. Latur has become the rising Industrial Hub Of Marathwada.

Latur is known all over India for the quality and quantity of pulses that it produces especially Pigeon pea. Latur is also a major trading center for Urad, Moong and Channa along with Toor. Also it is known for trading in Oil Seeds mainly Sun-flower and Soya Bean, kardi (safflower), nutcrackers, locks, brassware, milk powder, ginning and pressing. It is also home to several sugar mills like Manjra, Rena, Vikas, Jagruti etc.

GDVA Per Capita (At Current Price) of Latur district was ₹1,34,634 in 2019–2020. This records an increase from the previous number of ₹1,23,044.[22]

The Maharashtra Cricket Association is planning to construct their home ground near Latur City. Also a Divisional sports complex have been sanctioned for Latur region, which would cater to the needs of players in Latur, Osmanabad and Nanded districts.

National Level Kabaddi and Basket Ball were held in Latur district. Latur Region is still awaiting to get a Krida Prabodhini.

Latur District is served by 12 government hospitals, 46 Primary Health Centers, 19 dispensaries and 234 primary health support groups. A Super Specialty Hospital is taking place in Latur which would benefit to the patients in 11 adjoining districts. In addition to these there are a large number of private hospitals as well.

Along with that, Latur has two medical colleges namely "Government Medical College and Hospital", and "MIMSR Medical College & Hospital", the latter of which is privately owned.

Post office: According to 1991 census, only 250 villages of total 914 had post offices, serving 52.27% of the rural population.

Latur had a devastating, though only low magnitude, 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 30,000 people were estimated to have died mainly due to poor construction of houses and village huts made of stones which just collapsed on people who were fast asleep 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 3.56 a.m. local time when people were fast asleep.

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

Latur District political map

• Make in Maharashtra
• Marathwada
• List of people from Latur

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Latur district.

• Official website of District, Latur.
• Official website of District Council, Latur