Bidar district ಬೀದರ್
ಜಿಲ್ಲೆ
The Bidar district
is the northernmost part of the Karnataka
state in India. Geographically, it resembles the Crown
of the State occupying its northeastern
tip. It is bounded by Nizamabad
and Medak
districts of Telangana
state on the eastern side, Latur
and Osmanabad
districts of Maharashtra
state on the western side, Nanded
district of Maharashtra state on the northern side and Gulbarga
district on southern side.
The Bidar district is constituted by five talukas
viz. Aurad,
Basavakalyan,
Bhalki, Bidar
and Humnabad
with Bidar being
the headquarters of the district.
It is connected with NH9 and NH218.
| Bidar district
ಬೀದರ್ ಜಿಲ್ಲೆ
| |
|---|---|
| District | |
 | |
| Nickname(s): Crown of Karnataka | |
Location in Karnataka,India | |
| Country |  India |
History
The traditional tales refer this as Viduranagara of Mahabharata times and also as the place where Nala and Damayanthi were meeting.[4] Historically, the district had a glorious past. It was ruled by the Mauryas, Satavahanas, Rashtrakutas, Chalukyas, Kalachuris, Kakatiyas, Khiljis, Bahamanis, Baridshahis, Mughals and the Hyderabad Nizam.
8The treasure of culture, fine arts and architecture nurtured by
successive rulers has contributed to its richness. As such, there are
more Hindus and Muslims in Bidar district with their rich culture.
Similarly, social and religious reformers such as Basaveshwara and Guru Nanak also played significant role in social reformation based on equality.[5]
The great revolution by Shivasharanas in the 12th century, encompassing
social, literacy and religious fields emerged on this land.
Bidar district is popular for different religions, castes and cultures due to its historical developments through the ages.[5]
Early and medieval history
The first Rashtrakuta capital was Mayurkhandi (Morkhandi) in the present day Bidar district. The regal capital was later moved to Manyakheta (Malkhed) in the present day Kalaburagi district by Amoghavarsha I.[6]
Kalyani (today called Basavakalyan after Basaveshwara) in Bidar district was the capital of Western Chalukyas, who were also called Kalyani Chalukyas after their capital. The Kalachuris continued with Kalyani as their capital.
Later, Bidar was ruled in succession by the vassals to Sevuna Yadavas of Devagiri, Kakatiyas of Warangal, Allauddin Khilji and Muhammad bin Tughluq.
The generals of Muhammad Bin Tughlaq who were nominated as viceroys
of the newly conquered Deccan region broke up and formed the Bahmani
Sultanate under Allauddin Hasan Gangu Bahman Shah.
The Bahmani capital was shifted from Kalburgi or Kalubaruge (pronounced as Gulbarga and subsequently renamed Ahsanabad by the Muslim newcomers) to Bidar (renamed Muhammadabad
by the Bahmanis) in 1425. Bidar remained the capital until the
Sultanate's breakup after 1518. It then became the center of the Barid Shahis, one of the five independent sultanates known as the Deccan sultanates. These were the successor states to the Bahmani kingdom.
The Bidar Sultanate was absorbed by the Bijapur Sultanate to the west in 1619, which was in turn included into their Deccan province by the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb during his viceroyship of Deccan in 1656. After the death of Aurangazeb, Asaf Jah I, the Mughal Subehdar of the Deccan province, became independent and assumed the title Nizam-ul-mulk, with the whole of the province under the Nizam's sovereign control.
Modern history
The district was a part of the Hyderabad state before it was liberated on 17 September 1948 during Operation Polo by Indian Armed Forces under the leadership of Vallabhbhai Patel. With the reorganization of states in 1956 along linguistic lines, Bidar was deemed a Kannada speaking area, and became a part of unified Mysore state which later was renamed Karnataka.
Initially it had only four talukas, Basavakalyan taluka was brought into existence in 1965.
Bidar, Kalaburagi, Yadgir, Raichur and Koppal are collectively referred to as Hyderabad Karnataka. Bellary, though ceded to the British in 1800 AD, is also grouped together with these areas.
Geography
The total geographical area of the district as per the provisional figures computed by the Survey of India is 5,451 km2,
while the reporting area of the district for land-utilisation purposes,
as worked out by the State Department of Survey Settlement and Land
Records and local bodies, is 5,448 km2.[5]
Topography
The district extends from latitude 17.35'N to 18.25'N and from the longitudes 76.42'E to 77.39'E[7] which is located on the northern maidans of Karnataka which provides a mountainous treeless expansive plateau landscape.[8]:16 The ancient schistose rocks are covered by the Deccan Traps (Cretaceous Eocene).[8]:17 The most remarkable character of these traps is their perfectly horizontal disposition.[8]:28 The traps weather with a characteristic spheroidal weathering and the trap area is strewn with numerous dark-coloured boulders of all shapes and sizes. The soils covering this region are black to deep brown in colour which are rich in humus and form some of the most valuable fertile lands in the country,[8]:29 well suited for cultivating pulses.
Physiographically, the district can be divided into two regions. They are northern low lands and southern high lands. The southern high lands are popularly known as Bidar plateau, which is made up of laterite. The ground altitudes are varying from 420 to 684 m above MSL.
Bidar plateau has an elevation range from 640 to 684m above MSL. The
ground surface is flat, gently sloping forming broad valleys and flat
topped hills. Flat topped hills with Step like sides exhibit the
terraced landscape. The southern half of the district is a high plateau
about 715 m above mean sea level and are well drained.
Laterite
Laterite is a peculiar type of residual porous clayey rock, full of worm-like tubes mainly made up of hydrated oxides of Iron and Alumina, formed as end product of weathering of the underlying rocks. It is formed under special climatic conditions of alternating dry and wet seasons. Much of the silica is dissolved and carried away, leaving the weathered product rich in oxides of Iron and Aluminium. The laterite cappings over the bed rock range in thickness of 15 metres (49 ft) to 60 metres (200 ft).[8]:29 The best development of laterite can be seen in the Bidar, Basavakalyan and Humnabad talukas of the district.Soil
The two important types of soils noticed in the district are black soils and lateritic soils.- Black soils: Major parts of the district are made up of black soils derived from Deccan traps. These are deep black in colour and their texture varies from loam to clay. Lime concentration in this soil is high resulting in poor infiltration capacities. Their infiltration characteristics are poor to moderate. This type of soils covers mainly in areas lying below 610 m contour and along the valley portions.[9]
- Lateritic soils: A lateritic soil is confined to the central portion of the district. Lateritic soils are pale to bright red in colour and clay to clayey loam in nature. This soil has moderate to good infiltration characteristics. This type of soils covers mainly in areas lying above 610 metres (2,000 ft) contour.[9]
The entire district forms a part of the Deccan Plateau and is made up mostly of solidified lava.
The northern part of the district is characterized by expanses of level
and treeless surface punctuated here and there by flat and undulating hillocks, black soils and basaltic rocks. Alluvial deposit is normally found along the banks of the Manjra river and its main tributaries.
The district is entirely covered by the Deccan trap flows of the
tertiary period. The Deccan trap is composed of horizontal flows of basaltic lava.
They generally form flat-topped hillocks and terrace-like features. The
physical characteristics of individual flows show considerable
variations. Some flows are hard and massive while others are weathered,
soft and friable. This character has resulted in terraced landscape,
suddenly ending in escarpments.
The traps are seen generally 618 metres (2,028 ft) above mean sea
level. These are jointed and show the characteristics of spherical
weathering leaving massive hard cores. Columnar jointing is
predominantly developed in these rocks, besides horizontal joints, which
impart to the rocks bedded appearance. The top layers of the Deccan
trap in parts of Bidar and Humnabad talukas are altered to reddish vesicular laterite, forming and extensive undulating plateau.
The surface of the plateau presents wide stretches of red plains,
either waved over by light dry grasses alive with coveys of partridges
and herds of deer, or mottled by every sort of cultivation for which
artificial irrigation is not essential. The laterite must everywhere be
pierced nearly to the subjacent trap to reach the perennial springs, so
that the wells in the vicinity of the edges of the tableland (maidan)
are of extraordinary depth. The stream-fed valleys and the tracts of
mixed soil in the lowlands bear prodigally fruits and grains, sugarcanes
and vines, and every variety of vegetable produce.[10]:2
Minerals
The minerals found in the area are bauxite, kaolin and red ochre. A deposit of highly siliceous bauxite clay has been located about three kilometers south of Basavakalyan. Similar deposits are noticed near Alwal and Kamthana villages of Bidar taluka. A large deposit of Kaolin is located near Kamthana village. Red ochre deposits are found near Sirsi and Aurad Village.
Weather and climate
The district experiences semi-arid climate with extreme summer.
The dust storms and severe heat waves are common in the district
between April and May. Coldest months are December and January. The
temperature varies in the district between 20 °C and 42 °C The summer
season in Bidar starts in the first week of March and lasts until
mid-June. This is followed by southwest monsoon which continues till late September, and from September to end of January is winter.
May is the hottest month with average daily maximum temperature of
38.8 °C while December is the coldest with average daily minimum of
16.4 °C, The highest temperature recorded at Bidar was 43.3 °C on 8 May
1931, and the lowest 3.9 °C on 5 January 1901.[11]
The average annual precipitation at Bidar is 847 mm with most of the rainfall received during the monsoon season. The variation in rainfall from year to year is large and the district is prone to drought.[12]
River systems and drainage
The important rivers in the district are:- Manjra
- Karanja (River)
- Chulki Nala
- Mullamari
- Gandrinala
The district has two river basins, the Godavari and the Krishna. Major parts of the district is covered by Godavari basin, drained by its two major tributaries the Manjra and the Karanja rivers. The Godavari basin extends to over 4,411 km2 of which Manjra covers up to 1,989 km2 and Karanja up to 2,422 km2. The Krishna basin covers 585 km2 of which Mullamari river basin covers 249 km2 and Gandarinala river basin covers 336 km2
The Manjra river is perennial river flows over a distance of 155 km in
the central part of the district and flows in eastern direction with a
meandering course. The Karanja river flows in northwestern direction for
74 km with Karanja reservoir being major water source. The river Mullamari
takes its origin near Matala village of Basavakalyan taluk flows from
west to east for a length of 38 km and then flows into Kalaburgi
district and joins the river Kagna. The Kagna river is one of the main tributary of Bhima
river. Besides, there are several streams, which are of ephemeral in
nature. The drainage pattern in the district varies from sub-dendritic
to dendritic and some streams have a sub parallel drainage to the main
river.[9]
These rivers and their rivulets are not navigable.
Location of the Bidar district with respect to the other districts in Karnataka
Rain
The average annual rainfall at Bidar is 885.8mm. About 81% of annual
rainfall is received during the period from June to September. Maximum
rainfall is recorded in the month of September. The variation in
rainfall from year to year is large and the district is drought-prone.
The average numbers of rainy days in the district are 52.
The relative humidity is high during the southwest monsoon, being
between 65% to 75%. Summer is the driest part of the year, when the
relative humidity in the afternoon is between 30% and 40%.
Winds are generally moderate in strength with some increase in force
during the latter half of the summer season and during the monsoon.
During the southwest monsoon season, winds mainly blow between the
southwest and northeast directions. In the post monsoon season, winds
blow predominantly between north and east directions. During the winter
season winds are variable in directions
Forests
Bidar Forest Division is the northern most division of Karnataka
encompassing the whole of Bidar district and 31 villages of the
adjoining Gulbarga district. Classified under Reserve forests, Protected forests and Unclassed forests, Bidar Forest Division is having 435.92 km2. of area under forest cover.[13]
The forests are mainly dry deciduous
and have scrub type vegetation. Over the years, almost all the forest
areas have been worked on one or more times resulting in large expanses
of man made forests consisting mostly of Eucalyptus, Acacia auriculiformis, Glyricidia, and miscellaneous species such as Hardwickia, Albizzia, Azadirachta, Pterocarpus, etc.[13]
The majority of these plantations are successful. Because of the
sustained efforts of the forest department, the forest cover in the
district has increased by about 4% as reported by the Hyderabad-based National Remote Sensing Agency.
Teak is
found mixed with dry deciduous species. Ground cover is scanty and
seedlings regeneration is practically absent. Thorny plants occur and
tend to increase in proportion with heavy grazing, etc., to which most
of the area is subjected. Ground cover is scanty and seedlings
regeneration is practically absent. Grazing incidence is heavy. This
type of forest is found in Changlair, Karpakpalli and Karakanalli forests.
Acacia catechu, Acacia leucophloea, Wrightia tinctoria, Zizyphus xylopyrus, Cassia fistula, Annona species, Azadirachta indica, Butea monosperma, Chloroxylon switenia, Albizzia amara, etc. are widely seen in Ladwanthi, Kohinoor, Algood and Manhalli forests Basavakalyan range.
Out of the total forest area of 435 km2 in the division
more than 50 percent of the area is concentrated in Humnabad range,
followed by Bidar range (20%) and Basavakalyan range. Aurad range is
having the smallest area under the forest.[13]
Viewed from the point of area under forests, the out-turn of forest
produce and the revenue from forests Bidar division is not endowed with
quality forest wealth. Out of the total geographical area of 5448 km2 in Bidar division an extent of 435.9 km2
under forests. In other words, this accounts for about 8.5 percent of
the total geographical area. Area under forests in the division is very
much below the state average.
Medicinal Plant Conservation Area
In Karpakpalli village of Humnabad taluk, a Medicinal Plant
Conservation Area (MPCA) has been established. It is apart of Saidapur
Reserve forest. Situated at an altitude of 600–700 meters the MPCA is
spread over about 150 hectares. The terrain is undulating and vegetation
is dry deciduous scrub type. It is the northern most member of the
Medicinal plants conservation network established by the Karnataka
forest department and the Foundation for Revitalization of Local Health
Traditions (FRLHT) jointly. The uniqueness of the MPCA is characterized
by representation of the medicinal flora of the driest regions of the
southern India.
The vegetation is dry deciduous scrub type, with most of it being
stunted due to harsh climatic and edaphic factors. The terrain is
criss-crossed by a few small seasonal streams, which go dry soon after
the monsoon. The MPCA offers a tapestry of about 289 species of
flowering plants. Common tree species in the drier parts are Albizzia amara, Madhuca latifolia, Buchnania lanzan, Butea frondosa, Ficus bengalensis and Wrightia sp. etc., Along the nallahs occur Terminalia arjuna and Syzigium sp. shrubs include Gymnosporia, lxora, Nyctanthes and Nizyphus oenopia etc.
Overall about 193 medicinal plant species area found in the MPCA. It is home to highly endangered species Pterocarpus santalinus the Rakta chandana and Gloriosa superba. Most important are Hollorhina antidyssentrica, Santalum album etc.; Presence of large number of medicinal plant species has helped the locals to take the advice of Nati vaidyas in the surrounding villages in case of any health problem. It is home to highly endangered species Pterocarpus santalinus the Rakta chandana and Gloriosa superba.
The area being highly valuable to the locals for medicinal plants a
local intitiative to protect the highly valuable plant species in
Karpakpally MPCA with active participation of the local villagers is
also underway. An NGO Kriyasheela Geleyaru is involved in organizing
local children and women disseminating knowledge about the locally
available medicinal plants and the need to protect the eco system.[13]
Red sanders
The southern and eastern parts of Bidar district support the growth of red sanders (Pterocarpus santalinus)
which is highly valued. Owing to its dark red to almost black wood it
is largely used for carving and ornamental work. The wood is in much
demand for carved house posts. It is used in making musical instruments
in Japan. Red sanders timber is a very good foreign exchange earner.
Red sanders has a very restricted natural range extending over an
area of only 6000 sq. milies in south eastern portion of the Indian
Peninsula. Its principal home is in Sheshachalam hills of Cuddapah
district of Andhra Pradesh and North Arcot district of Tamil Nandu
besides southern and eastern parts of Bidar district.[13]
Wildlife
The northern part of the state is generally considered to be a dry
belt, devoid of water bodies, vegetation and wildlife. But the
surroundings of Bidar, the northernmost district, seems to be an
exception.
There are no wildlife sanctuaries and national parks in the Bidar Forest Division. However leopards may be seen occasionally far from human habitations. Langurs, wolves, spotted deer, wild boar,[14] hares,[14] porcupines,[14] foxes,[14] wild cats and jackals are also seen.[13] In Karnataka, After Ranebennur Blackbuck Sanctuary in Haveri district and Jayamangali Blackbuck Conservation Reserve in Tumkur district, a sizeable population of near threatened species of blackbucks is found in the plains of Bidar District.[14]
The existing natural water holes have to be developed by desilting. Herds of spotted deer and peafowl are found in Kamathana, Chitta, Shahapur and Godepalli forest areas.[13]
Poaching of deer in these areas is common. Hence, protection needs to
be ensured. Creation of wild life sanctuary may be contemplated in
future when the number of wildlife increases. Some of the bigger sized
trees act as a roosting place for peacock, which is the national bird of India. The following forests support considerable wildlife
- Narayanapur reserved forest in Basavakalyan range.
- Dubalgundi and Benchincholi forest blocks in Humnabad range.
- Kosam,Khanapur and Dhanura forests in Bhalki range.
In addition to commonly found avians, varied bird life like green bee eaters,[14] robins,[14] sunbirds,[14] red vented bulbuls,[14] egrets, herons, ducks,[14] cormorants,[14] kingfishers,[14] kites, eagles, peafowls and partridges[14] etc. can be seen. Rare birds and endangered species such as Indian coursers[14] and vultures are often sighted.
Winter sees the arrival of aquatic migratory birds from regions as far as Siberia, Mongolia and Alaska.
One study has recorded 74 species of aquatic birds in Bidar district,
of which 32 species are migratory. Tanks and other water bodies at
places like Janawada, Elaspur, Solpur, Papnash, Hallikhed, Tripurant
etc., in the district which have large quantity of fish and other
aquatic animals, provide feeding grounds to various migratory birds like
western reef heron, black-necked stork, great stone plover, marsh sandpiper, painted snipe, etc.[15]
Demographics
According to the 2011 census Bidar district has a population of 1,700,018,[16] roughly equal to the nation of The Gambia[17] or the US state of Nebraska.[18] This gives it a ranking of 287th in India (out of a total of 640).
Bidar district accounts for 2.84% of total area of the state and it is
home for 2.78% of the total population in the state. The district has a
population density of 312 inhabitants per square kilometre (810/sq mi) .[16] Its population growth rate over the decade 2001-2011 was 13.16%.[16] Bidar has a sex ratio of 952 females for every 1000 males,[16] and a literacy rate of 71.01%.[16]
Most of the north Karnataka is a fusion of the Dravidian and Aryan races.[5] Medieval times also saw a continuous influx of Turks, Moghals, Iranians, Afghans and Arabs.
Art and culture
Bidriware
Main article: Bidriware
Bidar is well known for its local artifact - the Bidriware, which is a type of encrusted metal ware. An alloy composing of zinc and copper is the major constituent of Bidriware. Artistic designs are inlaid in silver.[19]
See also: Bidar § Bidri wares
Sandalwood carving
A locally less-known but globally renowned sandalwood carving at Bakchodi village in the district produces woodworks of Buddha heads, handicraft items and prayer beads carved in red sandalwood to many countries in Europe and Asia.[20]
Attractions / amenities
Historic sites
Religious places
- Narasimha Jharni Cave Temple, Bidar
- Gurudwara Nanak Jhira Sahib, Bidar
- Shri Manik Prabhu Devasthanam, Manik Nagar (Humnabad Tq.)
- Shri Mailar Mallanna Devasthana, Mailar, Khanapur (Bidar Tq)
Economy
In 2006 the Ministry of Panchayati Raj named Bidar one of the country's 250 most backward districts (out of a total of 640).[21] It is one of the five districts in Karnataka currently receiving funds from the Backward Regions Grant Fund Programme (BRGF).[21]
Agriculture
Agriculture is the main occupation in rural parts of the district.
Greengram, bengalgram, blackgram, paddy, groundnut, wheat, redgram,
sugarcane and chillies are other agricultural crops.
Agriculture in Bidar had had its own specific form. Drawing on the specification of the local ecology, agriculture was mostly dry cultivation or rain-dependent cultivation in which a wide variety of local sorghum (Jola,
the staple grain) was grown in combination with pulses, oil seeds,
wheat and other cereals. Though cultivation was restricted to two
periods rabi or winter cultivation (August–January), and kharif or summer cultivation (June–September), care was taken to cultivate green manure crops of Sannhemp[22] and Diancha. The cultivation and use of such manure crops helped agriculturists retain the fertility of the soil, decreased the chances of external pests
and diseases entering the fields, and enabled agriculturists to be
self-reliant for a very significant agricultural input. Even by 1970s
little commercial or inorganic manure and fertilisers were used.[23]
But the agriculture of Bidar, like that of many other semi-arid regions which produced dry cereals,
was considered to be "low productive" and has been subject to a variety
of "development programmes" that have drawn, largely, on the agenda of
the Green Revolution.
Drawing on programmes and policies that emphasise the need to increase
agricultural productivity, the state has promoted a model of agriculture
in the region that draws primarily on the model of agriculture
developed for wet regions and for commercial cultivation.[23]
In 1966-67, high-yielding varieties of seeds for sorghum, paddy,
wheat and sugarcane were introduced. Gradually between the late 1960s
and mid-1970s hybrid varieties of seeds for other crops such as cotton, pulses and sunflower were introduced. The cultivation of tur or toghri (red gram)
as a commercial crop became the primary agricultural agenda in the
region, A significant proportion of land once under multi-crops and dry
cultivation (especially sorghum, wheat and oil-seeds) has now been dedicated to the cultivation of pulses, especially that of kadle (Bengal gram), and tur.[23]
The introduction and promotion of modern agriculture result in
the development of two key and striking contradictions in the region.
Perhaps the most significant contradiction of this is that while there
is an alteration in the very foundations and orientations of
agricultural cultivation (in the type of crops cultivated, in the new
seed varieties, new inputs, etc.,), there is little or no change in the
social bases of the agrarian society. That is, though there is an
alteration in the physical conduct of agriculture (in the types of crops
grown, the cultivation patterns etc.,) it is not matched by any
alteration in the ownership patterns of the agrarian society in which
the new agriculture is introduced. Though largely a dry cultivation belt
with a predominance of small cultivators, there is a schism in the
patterns of land ownership.[23]
Given the declining size of landholdings, many small and marginal cultivators resort to renting or share-cropping.
- Social scenario - The introduction of commercial agriculture in this predominantly dry agriculture belt has its impact on the social fabric of the region. Commercial agriculture itself forces agriculturists to submit to the prescriptions of the agricultural extension service, the market, the agri-business agencies and credit institutions and agents. Agriculture is no longer drawn on the established principles of local knowledge and caste and kin-based ties. Instead, agriculture is a form of livelihood, to engage in which individual agriculturists (farmers) depend primarily on their household and family support. As agriculture becomes an externally prescribed form of economic activity there are problems in the dissemination of knowledge, in the conduct of actual agricultural activities and in the understanding and management of situations such as crop loss.[23]
Irrigation
In geo-physical terms Bidar district is part of the semi-arid and drought-prone belt of northern Karnataka and has been susceptible to periodic droughts. Though some 82 percent of the total land are cultivated, only eight (8) percent of its total cultivable area is irrigated.[23]
The two major irrigation projects, Karanja started in 1963 and Chulkinala
started in 1972, are yet to be completed. Only 2,097 hectares
(8.10 sq mi) are irrigated by canals and tanks, while the rest, of about
30,892 hectares (119.27 sq mi), are irrigated by wells and tube wells.
The state of incompletion and disrepair (of the little that has been
completed) of the two large irrigation projects are reflect the extent
of state support for the region.[23]
Government
Bidar District Map
Administration
The district has five talukas, Bidar, Humnabad, Bhalki, Aurad, and Basavakalyan.Legislative Assembly seats
In the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, Bidar district is represented through six members elected from the following assembly segments:In the Indian Parliament, (Lok Sabha), the district it is represented by a single member.
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