Chandrapur

{{Unreferenced section|date=March 2025}}

The local people relate the name "Chandrapur" to the words Chandra (the moon) and pur (a settlement) after a legend. Scholars see the name as a derivative of "Indupur" (city of the moon) which stood near the Jharpat in the Treta Yuga.

The founding legend of Chandrapur, is rooted in the legend of Chanda Kingdom's king Khandkya Ballal Sah (1437-62 CE) of Sirpur, who was afflicted with tumors. Guided by his wife, he relocated to the Wardha River's north bank, establishing Ballarpur. During a hunt, he discovered a spring on the Zarpat River's dry bed, its waters miraculously healing his ailment. Upon further investigation, the spring revealed cow footprints in rock, deemed a holy site, "Tirtha of Acalesvar", the Achaleshwar Temple group in Chandrapur was erected there after the deity appeared to the king in a dream. Later, witnessing a hare chase his dog, the king, following his wife's advice, founded a fortified city, Chandrapur, avoiding the spot where the hare was killed, deemed unlucky. This narrative combines myth and local lore to explain the city's establishment and the significance of its sacred spring.

There are many Stone-Age sites in Chandrapur District. Suresh Chopane, a renowned researcher, found many Stone-Age tools in the district, which have been displayed in his Rock Museum. Archeological finds, such as signs of pottery making, suggest inhabitation of the Chandrapur area in Neolithic times.{{cite book|author1-link=John N. Miksic|last1=Miksic|first1=John|title=Earthenware in Southeast Asia: Proceedings of the Singapore Symposium|date=2003|publisher=NUS Press|isbn=9971692716}} The Gond people are part of the Adivasi (indigenous people) of India. In ancient times, the Gond diaspora spread throughout central India.

From ancient times, Chandrapur has fallen under the control of many different rulers. Between 322 BCE and 187 BCE, much of India, including Maharashtra, was part of the Maurya Empire.{{cite book|last1=Meyer|first1=William|title=Chandragupta Maurya and his times|date=1966|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass|isbn=9788120804050}} From 187 BCE to 78 BCE, Chandrapur was part of the Shunga Empire which controlled much of central and eastern India.{{cite book|last1=Thapar|first1=Romila|title=Early India|date=2004|publisher=University of California press|location=Los Angeles|isbn=9780520242258|page=[https://archive.org/details/earlyindiafromor00thap/page/2010 2010]|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/earlyindiafromor00thap/page/2010}} The Satavahana Empire controlled Chandrapur from the 1st century BCE to the 2nd century CE.{{cite book|last1=Dutt|first1=Sukumar|title=Buddhist Monks and Monasteries|date=1988|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass|isbn=9788120804982|page=123}} The Vakataka dynasty ruled the area from the mid 3rd century CE to 550 CE.Majumdar R.C. Vakataka – Gupta Age Circa 200-550 A.D. Motilal Banarsidass 1986. p. 123 The Kalachuri dynasty ruled the area during the 6th and 7th centuries CE.{{cite book|last1=Mirashi|first1=V. V.|last2=Navlekar|first2=N. R.|title=Kalidasa: Date, Life And Works|publisher=Popular Prakashan|isbn=9788171544684|page=22|year=1969}} The Rashtrakuta dynasty followed, controlling the Chandrapur region between the 7th and 10th centuries. The Chalukya dynasty ruled the region to the 12th century CE.{{cite book|last1=Ramesh|first1=K. V.|title=Chalukyas of Vatapi|date=1984|publisher=Agam Kala Prakashan}} The Seuna (Yadava) dynasty of Devagiri ruled a kingdom, including the Chandrapur area, in approximately 850 CE and continued until 1334 CE.{{cite book|last1=Sen|first1=S. N.|title=Ancient Indian History and Civilisation|date=1999|publisher=New Age International|isbn=9788122411980|page=403}}

After the passage of many kings, who were largely subservient to other rulers, the Gond king of Kingdom of Chanda, Khandkya Ballal (1470 {{ndash}} 1495) came to the throne. He founded Chandrapur.{{cite web|title=Kingdoms of South Asia|url=http://www.historyfiles.co.uk/KingListsFarEast/IndiaGondwana.htm|website=The History Files|access-date=12 December 2017}}

Chandrapur was taken over by Bhonsles of Nagpur in 1751 during the Maratha empire period.{{Cite web |title=Chandrapur |url=https://chanda.nic.in/en/history/#:~:text=The%20district%20Chandrapur%20was%20earlier,Indpur'%20and%20subsequently%20to%20Chandrapur.}} The last ruler of the Maratha dynasty, Raghuji Bhonsle III died in 1853 without issue. In 1853, Chandrapur was annexed to British India.

During the British colonial period, the area of Chandrapur was called "Chanda". By 1871, Anglican and Scottish Episcopal missionaries had arrived in the city.{{cite book|last1=Strong|first1=Rowan|title=Episcopalianism in Nineteenth-Century Scotland|date=2002|publisher=Oxford University Press|location=Oxford|isbn=9780199249220|page=31}}

In 1874, three tehsils were created: Viz Mul, Warora and Bramhpuri. The upper Godavai district of Madras was abolished and four tehsils were added to Chandrapur to form one tehsil with Sironcha, approximately 150 km to the south, as its centre of governance. In 1895, the headquarters was transferred to Chandrapur. In 1905, a new tehsil with headquarters at Gadchiroli was created through the transfer of zamindari estates from Bramhpuri and Chandrapur tehsil. In 1907, a small area of land was transferred from Chandrapur to the newer districts and another area of about 1560 km², comprising three divisions of the lower Sironcha tehsil (Cherla, Albak and Nugir) were transferred to Madras State. Between 1911 and 1955, no major changes occurred in the boundaries of the district or its tehsils.

In 1956, with the reorganization of Indian states, Chandrapur district was transferred from Madhya Pradesh to Bombay state. In 1959, part of Adilabad district of Hyderabad state, was transferred to Chandrapur district. In May 1960, Chandrapur district became part of the Maharashtra state. In 1964, the city was renamed to Chandrapur. Following the 1981 Census of India, Chandrapur district was divided into Chandrapur district and Gadchiroli district.

Chandrapur is located in central India in the eastern part of Maharashtra state at 19.57°N latitude and 79.18°E longitude.{{Cite web |title=Chandrapur Demography |url=https://chanda.nic.in/en/demography/}} Chandrapur is situated at 189.90 meters above the mean sea level. The area of the city is about 162.41 km². The north–south length of the city is about 15.90 km, while the east–west length is about 10.90 km. The city slopes from the north to the south.

Chandrapur lies at the confluence of the Erai and Zarpat rivers. The Erai river has a history of flooding. Flood marks are seen on the walls of the city. In the north of the city, a dam is constructed on the river Erai, having the capacity of 207 million cubic meters. The Gaontideo Nala originates from the uplands of the Chandrapur Super Thermal Power Station. The Macchhi Nala originates from uplands of Central Forest Rangers College.

Chandrapur lies on terrain rich in coal. Chandrapur is called a "geological museum" as there is a large variety of rocks as well as commercially valuable minerals and fossils.{{Cite web |title=Welcome to MADC |url=https://www.madcindia.org/chandrapur_overview |access-date=2025-03-05 |website=www.madcindia.org}} Samples of such rocks are collected at the Suresh Chopane Rock Museum.{{cite book|last1=Hussain|title=Geography of India for Civil Ser Exam|publisher=Tata McGraw-Hill Education|isbn=9780070667723}}

Chandrapur has a hot and dry climate. December is the coldest month, with a minimum average temperature of 9 °C and a maximum average temperature of 23.2 °C. May is the hottest month with a mean maximum temperature of 43 °C and a mean minimum temperature of 28.2 °C. On 2 June 2007, Chandrapur recorded the highest temperature of 49 °C and the lowest temperature of 2.8 °C. was recorded in January 1899 & 2021.

The monsoon season falls between June and September. Chandrapur's average annual rainfall is 1249.4 mm. The average number of rainy days is 59.2.{{cite web |url=http://www.imdpune.gov.in/Temp_Extremes/histext2010.pdf |title=Ever Recorded Maximum Temperature, Minimum Temperature and 24 Hours Heaviest Rainfall upto 2010 |publisher=India Meteorological Department |access-date=2013-05-21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140316064314/http://www.imdpune.gov.in/Temp_Extremes/histext2010.pdf |archive-date=16 March 2014 }}

{{Weather box

| location = Chandrapur (1991–2020, extremes 1901–2020)

| metric first = Yes

| single line = Yes

| Jan record high C = 35.8

| Feb record high C = 40.0

| Mar record high C = 44.4

| Apr record high C = 46.4

| May record high C = 48.6

| Jun record high C = 49.0

| Jul record high C = 40.6

| Aug record high C = 37.2

| Sep record high C = 38.4

| Oct record high C = 40.1

| Nov record high C = 36.1

| Dec record high C = 38.7

| year record high C = 49.0

| Jan high C = 30.4

| Feb high C = 33.6

| Mar high C = 37.9

| Apr high C = 41.3

| May high C = 43.1

| Jun high C = 38.0

| Jul high C = 31.9

| Aug high C = 30.6

| Sep high C = 32.2

| Oct high C = 32.7

| Nov high C = 31.0

| Dec high C = 30.1

| year high C = 34.5

| Jan low C = 14.6

| Feb low C = 17.2

| Mar low C = 21.5

| Apr low C = 25.6

| May low C = 28.5

| Jun low C = 27.0

| Jul low C = 24.9

| Aug low C = 24.4

| Sep low C = 24.4

| Oct low C = 22.2

| Nov low C = 17.7

| Dec low C = 13.7

| year low C = 21.8

| Jan record low C = 2.8

| Feb record low C = 3.9

| Mar record low C = 7.2

| Apr record low C = 11.7

| May record low C = 18.9

| Jun record low C = 20.0

| Jul record low C = 17.8

| Aug record low C = 18.3

| Sep record low C = 18.3

| Oct record low C = 10.9

| Nov record low C = 6.2

| Dec record low C = 3.5

| year record low C = 2.8

| rain colour = green

| Jan rain mm = 10.8

| Feb rain mm = 8.3

| Mar rain mm = 19.4

| Apr rain mm = 17.5

| May rain mm = 19.9

| Jun rain mm = 219.9

| Jul rain mm = 373.8

| Aug rain mm = 325.0

| Sep rain mm = 181.7

| Oct rain mm = 65.5

| Nov rain mm = 10.5

| Dec rain mm = 3.5

| year rain mm = 1255.8

| Jan rain days = 0.7

| Feb rain days = 0.6

| Mar rain days = 1.5

| Apr rain days = 1.6

| May rain days = 1.7

| Jun rain days = 9.2

| Jul rain days = 15.1

| Aug rain days = 14.8

| Sep rain days = 8.9

| Oct rain days = 3.8

| Nov rain days = 0.8

| Dec rain days = 0.3

| year rain days = 59.0

|time day = 17:30 IST

| Jan humidity = 45

| Feb humidity = 36

| Mar humidity = 28

| Apr humidity = 25

| May humidity = 23

| Jun humidity = 48

| Jul humidity = 72

| Aug humidity = 77

| Sep humidity = 69

| Oct humidity = 61

| Nov humidity = 57

| Dec humidity = 50

|year humidity = 49

|source 1 = India Meteorological Department{{cite web

| url = https://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/Climatological%20Tables%201991-2020.pdf

| title = Climatological Tables of Observatories in India 1991-2020

| publisher = India Meteorological Department

| access-date = April 8, 2024

}}

{{cite web

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200205040301/http://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/1981-2010%20CLIM%20NORMALS%20%28STATWISE%29.pdf

| archive-date = 5 February 2020

| url = https://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/1981-2010%20CLIM%20NORMALS%20%28STATWISE%29.pdf

| title = Station: Chandrapur (Chanda) Climatological Table 1981–2010

| work = Climatological Normals 1981–2010

| publisher = India Meteorological Department

| date = January 2015

| pages = 179–180

| access-date = 3 April 2020}}

{{cite web

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200205042509/http://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/EXTREMES%20OF%20TEMPERATURE%20and%20RAINFALL%20upto%202012.pdf

| archive-date = 5 February 2020

| url = https://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/EXTREMES%20OF%20TEMPERATURE%20and%20RAINFALL%20upto%202012.pdf

| title = Extremes of Temperature & Rainfall for Indian Stations (Up to 2012)

| publisher = India Meteorological Department

| date = December 2016

| page = M141

| access-date = 3 April 2020}}

}}Chandrapur has been ranked 20th best “National Clean Air City” under (Category 2 3-10L Population cities) in India according to 'Swachh Vayu Survekshan 2024 Results' {{Cite web |date=7 September 2024 |title=Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan 2024 |url=https://prana.cpcb.gov.in/ncapServices/robust/fetchFilesFromDrive/Swachh_Vayu_Survekshan_2024_Result.pdf |website=Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan 2024}}

Per the 2011 census of India, Chandrapur's population was 518,000.

Marathi is spoken by majority of the people in Chandrapur. The native Gondi is spoken by most of the Gonds in Chandrapur. People can also speak Hindi and English.

Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan, the conference on Marathi literature, has been held twice in Chandrapur, in 1979 (Chair Vaman Krushna Chorghade) and in 2012 (Chair Vasant Aabaji Dahake).{{Cite web|url=https://archive.today/20120712053127/http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/marathi-literary-congregation-concludes-in-chandrapur/959799.html|title=Marathi literary congregation concludes in Chandrapur.}}

In 2016, the inaugural All India Gondi Religious Convention was convened by the Central Provinces and Berar Gondwana Samaj Sewa Samiti in Warora, 30 km north west of Chandrapur. The chair was Raja Virshah Krushnashah Atram, a descendant of Khandkya Ballal Sah and current titular Gond king of Chandrapur.

According to the 2011 India census, total population was 3,20,379.

{{bar box

|title=Religion in Chandrapur City (2011){{cite web|url=https://www.census2011.co.in/census/city/355-chandrapur.html|title=Chandrapur Population 2011|publisher=census2011}}

|titlebar=#Fcd116

|left1=Religion

|right1=Percent

|float=right

|bars=

{{bar percent|Hinduism|darkorange|71.84}}

{{bar percent|Buddhism|blue|15.64}}

{{bar percent|Islam|green|10.07}}

{{bar percent|Others|black|2.44}}

}}

Chandrapur lies on major state highways MH MSH 6, MH MSH 9 and state highways MH SH 233, MH SH 243 and MH SH 264. Chandrapur is connected to many cities in Maharashtra by the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation bus service. Bus services are offered to Pune, Nagpur, Amravati, Yavatmal, Hyderabad, and Raipur. A proposed Chandrapur Pune expressway, via Yavatmal Beed, is in the planning stages.

Chandrapur railway station is managed by the Nagpur CR railway division of the Central Railway. It lies on the New Delhi–Chennai main line. The Chanda Fort railway station is managed by the Nagpur SEC railway division of the South East Central Railway. It lies on the Balharshah–Gondia line. Other railway stations within city limits are Vivekanand Nagar railway station, Babupeth railway station and Choti Padoli railway station.

Chandrapur Airport, operated by the Maharashtra Airport Development Company, is situated near Morwa on MH SH 264, about 12 km from the city. The airstrip is 950 m in length. Development of the airport is limited by surrounding obstructions, particularly the thermal power plant.{{cite web|title=MADC projects|url=http://www.madcindia.org/projects.html|access-date=24 April 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120226054653/http://www.madcindia.org/projects.html|archive-date=26 February 2012}} Hence, the MADC is building a greenfield airport at Vihirgaon, 40 kilometres from Chandrapur.{{cite news | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/decks-cleared-for-new-airport-in-chandrapur/articleshow/63945715.cms | title=Decks cleared for new airport in Chandrapur |newspaper= The Times of India| date= 28 April 2018 | access-date= 12 July 2019}} The nearest airport with scheduled flights is the Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport in Nagpur.

Chandrapur is a centre for coal mining. In 2012, there were 27 coal mines around Chandrapur.{{cite book|last1=Hiro|first1=Dilip|title=The Age of Aspiration: Power, Wealth, and Conflict in Globalizing India|date=2015|publisher=New Press|isbn=9781620971413|page=182}}

Other industries include cement making, paper manufacturing, and ferro alloy manufacturing.

The Chandrapur Super Thermal Power Station, a 3,340 MW power station complex which is owned by the Maharashtra State Power Generation Company Limited, occupies an area of {{convert|12212|ha|km2}} about {{convert|6|km|mi}} from the city. It employs approximately 3,460 people and supplies more than 25 percent of the state's electricity. A masonry dam on the Erai river, 15 km from the station provides water to the station and to Chandrapur. On 16 January 1977, the station's foundation stone was laid by the Central Energy Minister, K. C. Pant.

The Karmavir Dadasaheb Kannamwar High School (previously known as the Zilha Parishad Jubilee High School) was established in 1906. The Lokmanya Tilak Vidyalaya was founded by Bal Gangadhar Tilak. The Chanda Sikshan Prasarak Mandal is a large educational institution with a number of campuses in Chandrapur.

Chandrapur has a government medical college and a government engineering college. The city's colleges (apart from the medical college) are affiliated with Gondwana University.

On 20 October 2011, Chandrapur municipal council was elevated to a D-grade municipal corporation.{{cite news |work=The Times of India |title=EC to declare reservation of CMC wards |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/EC-to-declare-reservation-of-CMC-wards-on-Jan-27/articleshow/11634731.cms?referral=PM |access-date=12 December 2019 |issue=Nagpur |date=26 January 2012 }}

;Chandrapur Fort

The Chandrapur Fort (earlier known as Chanda Fort) (today called "old city") is a fort located at confluence of Erai and Zarpat rivers. The fort was built by Gond king, Khandkya Ballal Sah. The fort has four gates: Jatpura Gate to the north, Anchaleshwar Gate to the east, Pathanpura Gate to the south and Binba Gate to the west. The fort also has Five small gates, called khidkis (windows): Bagad Khidki to the northeast, Hanuman Khidki to the southeast, Vithhal Khidki to the southwest and Chor Khidki to the northwest and Masan Kidki. The fort has strong walls 15–20 feet high.{{cite web |last1=Government of Maharashtra |title=Places of Interest |url=https://chanda.nic.in/places-of-interest/ |website=chanda.nic.in |publisher=Government of Maharashtra |access-date=12 December 2019}}

{{Gallery

|title=Gates and Windows of Chandrapur Fort

|align=center

|File:Jatpura Gate Chandrapur.jpg

|Jatpura gate of Chandrapur Fort

|File:Chandrapur fort.jpg

|Anchaleshwar gate of Chandrapur Fort

|File:Pathanpura gate and fort wall Chandrapur 01.jpg

|Pathanpura gate of Chandrapur Fort

}}

;Mahakali Mandir

File:Mahakali temple.JPG

Mahakali Mandir (temple) is an often frequented temple in Chandrapur. The ancient temple was built by Dhundya Ram Sah, of Gond Dynasty around the 16th century. Tuesdays are a particularly significant day to visit. Within the mandir there is a small Ganesh temple and a Hanuman temple. At the two temple entrances, there are small shops for puja (worship) supplies such as coconut, flowers and cloth. Items for home décor and puja décor are sold near the temple. Near the rear entrance there is a Shani temple.

Within the temple are two murtis (idols). One associated with Shiv Ling is a standing idol decorated with red, yellow and orange cloths. The other is in a reclining position below the ground level, and devotees must walk in a tunnel to reach it. Inside the temple, a priest is present to assist visitors with puja and offerings. A trust administers the temple. Dharmashalas provide accommodation for pilgrims. The annual yatra (fair) takes place in April, entertaining the followers of Mahakali and the citizens of Chandrapur.

;Anchaleshwar Mandir

File:Anchaleshwar temple.JPG

The Anchaleshwar Mandir celebrates a form of the Lord Siva. It is situated adjoining Anchaleshwar Gate of Chandrapur fort on the banks of the Zarpat river. The official samadhi (mausoleum) of the Gond kings is located within the temple complex.

;Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve

File:Matkasur the male tiger at Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve.jpg

The Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve is located approximately 30 km north of Chandrapur near the Erai dam. This park was included in the project tiger since 1973. The total area of the reserve is 625.40 km². In 2014 the tiger population in Tadoba was 66, that number has gone up to 86. Tadoba is now a home to 86 Tigers despite years of lynching, poaching & other threats.{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/state-tiger-count-may-be-up-by-40-in-2014-to-230-now/articleshow/65862813.cms|title=State tiger count may be up by 40 in 2014 to 230 now |website=The Times of India}} There are many hotels and resorts near Moharli gate, Zari gate and Navegaon gate of the reserve, available for the tourists. The guided tours inside the park are available during early morning and evening time only.{{Cite web |url=http://www.mahaforest.nic.in/project_tiger_detail.php?lang_eng_mar=Mar&sat_id=14 |title=Maharashtra Forest Department |access-date=23 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190121081706/http://www.mahaforest.nic.in/project_tiger_detail.php?lang_eng_mar=Mar&sat_id=14 |archive-date=21 January 2019 |url-status=dead }}

• Karmavir Dadasaheb Kannamwar, second Chief Minister of Maharashtra.
• Baba Amte
• Mohan Bhagwat, chief of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.
• Hansraj Ahir, former Deputy Home Minister of India (MOS Home affairs) and also Union minister of Chemical and Fetilizers (MOS) Govt. of India.
• Shantaram Potdukhe, former Minister of State (Finance) of India.
• Barrister Rajabhau Khobragade, Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha, leader of the Republican Party of India (Khobragade) and follower of B. R. Ambedkar.
• Balasaheb Deshmukh, a follower of Bal Gangadhar Tilak. It was due to his efforts that Tilak visited Chandrapur and laid the foundation of Lokmanya Tilak Vidyalaya.
• Abdul Shafee, a politician of the Indian National Congress Party, MLC, 5th Loksabha.
• Sudhir Mungantiwar, former Minister of Finance & Planning and Forests Govt.of Maharastra, former Guardian Minister of Wardha and Chandrapur.{{cite news |last1=PTI |title=Guardian Ministers appointed in Maharashtra |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/guardian-ministers-appointed-in-maharashtra/articleshow/45651646.cms?from=mdr |access-date=12 December 2019 |work=The Economic Times |date=26 December 2014}}
• Swagat Thorat, a wildlife photographer, playwright, painter, editor, and director. Known as the Braille Man of India.

• Make in India
• Urjanagar

{{Reflist}}

{{Wikivoyage|Chandrapur}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20190924164243/https://chanda.nic.in/ Official website of Chandrapur district]

{{Chandrapur district topics}}

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