The history of Akola district dates back to the ancient period when it was a part of the Berar province under the most powerful kingdom of Vidarbha at the time of Mahabharata. Berar also constituted the part of Maurya Ruler the Great Ashoka. However, with the passing time and with new rulers Berar came under the dominance of various kingdoms from time to time namely Satavahan dynasty, the Vakataka dynasty, the Chalukya dynasty, the Rashtrakuta dynasty, again the Chalukya dynasty and finally the Yadav dynasty of Devagiri of Mahabharatta.
The proper maintenance of historical records started after it was captured by the Muslim ruler Allauddin Khilji, the Sultan of Delhi in the early years of 14th century. The region was under the dominance of Bahmani Sultanate who broke away his relations with the Delhi Sultanate in the mid of 14th century. As a result the province of Bahamani was divided into various small sultanates by the end of 15th century. In 1572 the kingdom of Berar was captured by sultan of Ahmednagar, Nizam Shahi. Nizam Shahi handed over the control of Berar in the hands of Mughal emperors in 1595.
Since the control of Berar came under the dominance of Mughal rulers and remained under their supremacy by the end of 17th century. With the rise of Maratha power between 1674 to 1760 headed by Chhatrapati Shivaji and later by his son Sambhaji and grandson Sahu the Berar districts was merged with the district of Akola under the Maratha empire by 1734.
At the time of his death Shahu handed over the control of Maratha empire to the Peshwa on certain terms and conditions. During the third Battle of Panipat in 1761 the Maratha power weakened and restricted the Peshwa rulers and maintained the control of Berar again in hands of Marathas.
On November 28, 1803 a battle near Argaon near Akola took place between the British forces under the command of Governor Arthur Wellesly and the forces of Maratha under the flagship of Bhonsle of Nagpur and later in the third Anglo Maratha War the last Peshwa Baji Rao II was also defeated by the British forces.
As the result of these wars, the province of Akola along with rest of Berar came under the control of British East India Company. With an objective of making their strength on administration the East India Company divided the Berar into two separate districts viz., East Berar and West Berar, and included Akola district in the West Berar. In 1903 Berar was handed over to the Nizam of Hyderabad on lease by the British East India Company.
After India’s Independence in 1947 the states and provinces were united in 1956. The province of Berar was divided in different states. In Earlier days after Independence Akola became an integral part of the then Bombay state which later on was divided into two states. In 1960 Akola occupied the position as the separate district of Maharashtra.The Narnala fort, Akot fort, Akola fort and Balapur Fort are some of the famous monuments in Akola.
Geography: Akola lies at 19
051’ and 21
0 16’ latitude and 76
0 38’ and 77
0 44’ longitude. The district of Akola is surrounded by Nagpur division of Maharashtra in the west, Amravati district in the north and north east, Yeotmal in the south east, Washim in the south and Buldhana in the west.
The two main rivers of the district are the Purna and the Penganga. The other rivers are Katepurna, Shahanur, Morna,Mun,Nand, Man and Uma, which are known as the tributaries of the Purna, and the Adan, the Arna and the Pus are the tributaries of the Penganga.
Connectivity: Akola city is located in Central India and is very well connected by rail and road to all the major towns/cities of India. It is directly connected to Mumbai (Bombay), Calcutta, Madras, Delhi, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad and Jaipur by regular trains.
Distance from major cities (in kms.):
- Calcutta 1250
- Chennai: 1100
- Delhi: 1100
- Mumbai: 550
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