City Highlights [ History ]:

Solapur is a famous city with an equally famous history. It has been found that the name "Solapur" has its roots in the name - "Sonnlagi."

Sonnlagi (Solapur) city was looked after by Patil Mordi Modhyagouda & his wife Sugaladevi. The great Shri Siddheshwar (also known as Siddharameshwar) was born in 1140 A.D. He stayed in a house at Sakhar Peth, behind the now Padma Talkies. Ancient Solapur is based in this area. Shri Nanappa was the Jaghirdar during this time. After his death his wife Smt. Chamaladevi looked after the Jahagir. Shri Siddharameshwar had a strong desire to build a beautiful temple and lake in Solapur. To honour his feelings, Smt. Chamaladevi gave him land near the Fort to build this lake temple. Shri Siddharameshwar went to Shrishail and brought a Shiv Ling from there. Finally the Temple was built in the middle of the Lake and the Pranpratishthapan of the Shiv Ling was done. This Lake Temple of Shri Siddharameshwar has always been a major attraction in Solapur.

The Solapur District was ruled by various dynasties such as Andhrabhratyas, Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, Yadavas and Bahamanis. Recent research work however shows that the name Solapur is not derived from the congregation of sixteen villages. It is evident from the inscriptions of Shiva yogi Shri Siddheshwar of the time of the Kalachuristis of Kalyani, that the town was called `Sonnalage` which came to be pronounced as `Sonnalagi`. A Sanskrit inscription dated Shake 1238, after the downfall of the Yadavas found at Kamati in Mohol shows that the town was known as Sonalipur. During the Muslim period, the town was known as Sandalpur. Subsequently the British rulers pronounced Solapur as Sholapur and hence the name of the district.

The present Solapur district was previously part of Ahmednagar, Pune and Satara districts. In the year 1838 it became the Sub-district of Ahmednagar. After the State reorganization in 1956 Solapur was included in Mumbai State and it became a full-fledged district of Maharashtra state in 1960.

The importance of Solapur is unique in the history of India in the sense that this district enjoyed the freedom even before independence. The citizens of Solapur enjoyed the Independence for three days from 9th to 11th May 1930. The brief history runs like this. After the arrest of Mahatma Gandhi in May 1930, protests and demonstrations against the British Rule were held throughout the India. Large scale rallies and protests were done at Solapur also. Many citizens lost their lives in the Police firings. Due to this the irate mob attacked the Police Stations. Out of fear the Police and other officers ran out of Solapur.

During this period the responsibility of law, order and security of citizens was on the shoulders of congress party leaders. Then city congress President Shri.Ramkrishna Jaju, with his other congressmen maintained the law and order for a period of three days from 9th to 11th May 1930. Secondly, the Solapur Municipal Council was the first Municipal Council of India to host the National Flag on the Municipal Council building (Now Municipal Corporation) Solapur in 1930.

Geography
The district is bounded on the north by Ahmednagar, on the east by Osmanabad and Gulbarga (Karnataka State) districts, on the south by Sangli and Bijapur (Karnataka State) and on the west by Satara and Pune districts. Solapur is located between 17.10° to 18.32° North latitude and 74.42° to 76.15° East longitudes. The district is situated on the southeast fringe of Maharashtra State and lies entirely in the Bhima and Seena basins. The district covers geographical area of 14844.6 sq.kms.

Solapur district`s climate is tropical and in summer the maximum temperature is 42°C and minimum is 28°C. In winter the maximum tempreture is 27°C and minimum is 13°C. The average rainfall of the district is 897.8mm.

Economy
Solapur is the home of Handloom and Power loom weaving industry, which provides employment to a large number of workers. There are around 6000 power loom industries operational in the district. Out of these 300 establishments are registered under Mumbai Shops and Societies Act 1948 and the other 3000 are registered under Factories Act 1948. There are about 25000 Power loom and about 30000 workers are employed. On the Jackard power loom the main production is Bed Sheets, Towels and Napkins. These products are exported to various countries in the world.

Beedi industry is the second important industry in Solapur. There are 115 units of 29 various beedi factories. In these 115 units there are about 70000 lady workers and 1725 factory workers in the district.

The major crops of the district are Jowar, wheat, and sugarcane. Solapur district especially Mangalwedha taluka is known for Jowar. Maldandi Jowar is famous in all over Maharashtra.

Government
District Collector is mainly responsible for the District Administration. The District Collector is assisted by Resident Deputy Collector and the Sub-Divisional Officers to maintain the law and order of the district.

Transport
By Rail: Solapur is a distance of 456-km from the Mumbai on the main broad gauge rail line of Central railway connecting Mumbai and Chennai.

By Road: It is also well connected by road. State transport connects buses from major cities of the state like Mumbai, Aurangabad, and Pune to Solapur.

Division
The Solapur district comprises of three revenue Sub-divisions, eleven revenue Talukas and 1144 revenue villages.

Demographics
As per 2001 Census of India, Solapur had total population of 3849543. Total male population was 1989623 and total female population was 1859920. Total Literacy rate is 71.2%. Male literacy rate is 82.0%, where as female literacy rate is 59.8%.