Bhokardan

Bhokardan
City
Bhokardan Location in Maharashtra, India Bhokardan Bhokardan (India)
Coordinates:20.253°N 75.769°E/20.253; 75.769
Country	India
State	Maharashtra
District	Jalna
Named for	King Bhogvardhan
Government
• Body	Municipal Council
•President	Vacant
Elevation	587 m (1,926 ft)
Population (2021)
• Total	311,303
Languages
• Official	Marathi
Time zone	UTC+5:30(IST)
PIN	431114
Vehicle registration	MH-21

Bhokardanis a metropolis in theIndianstate ofMaharashtraand is one the oldest cities in India. Bhokardan was a part of theHyderabad Stateuntil it joined India in 1948 as part of theAnnexation of Hyderabad.In 1960, it became a part of the newly formed state of Maharashtra from the bilingual Bombay state. The ruins of the old fortifications are still visible around the city; the area of the old fort now houses tehsil offices. Bhokardan has been identified by modern historians as the capital of an ancient district raja Bhogavardhan.

Etymology

According to legends, the name Bhokardan is derived from the name of king Bhogvardhan or Bhagdnath, who ruled this city in ancient time. Local legends consider this to be a capital city of Bhoumasura, a mythological demon, who was killed by Hindu godShri Krishna.

History

Bhokardan is situated on the bank of Kelana river. Bhokardan has been identified by the modern historians with the ancient city of Bhogavardhana. One of the earliest references of Bhokardan is found inMarkandeya Purana,where it is described as a prosperous trading city inDandakaranyaarea, located on the trade route fromUjjayini,in central India toPrathishthana,then capital city ofSatavahanas.Similar, references were also found in various other ancient literature.In earlier period Bhokardan was aJanapada,which later got status of an independent region. Bhokardan was the third richest city inSatavahana periodafter Prathishthana andTer.The inscription records atstupasofBharhutandSanchi,mention receiving donations from inhabitants of this city for their construction. There is a reference in an article from 593 AD that, the king ofMahishmati,Raja Shankargan, ofKalachuridynasty, has donated some land to a Brahmin in Bhogvardan region.However, the history of this place in the Middle Ages is not known. In later period ofPeshwasrule, this city came under control of theNizam of Hyderabad.Bhokardan was part of Hyderabad State until its annexation into the Indian Union in 1948. In 1960, it became a part of newly form state of Maharashtra from bilingualBombay state.The ruins of old fortification are still visible around the city; the old fort area now houses the Tehsil office.

Excavation at Bhokardan: An ancient site comprising two mounds, about 70 ft high, was discovered by M. N. Deshpande near Bhokardan in 1958.Subsequently, a joint evacuation was carried away by a combined team ofNagpur UniversityandMarathwada University,in 1973–74, during this evacuation two periods of occupation were identified:

• Period I
  • Period Ia - earlySatavahanaperiod
  • Period Ib - late Satavahana period
• Period II post Satavahana period.

During the excavations, traces of foundations, brick walls, floors, post-holes, fallen roofs and a ring well were discovered. The artifacts found from the site included punch-marked coins, copper coins of the Satavahanas and the Kshatrapas; a fewterracottabullae with legends in Greek; coin moulds and seals. About 2000 beads made of terracotta, glass, shell and semi-precious stones were also found. A large number of terracotta, iron, copper and ivory objects were found from the site.The other important items found at site compromised: scores of human and animal figurines; ivory and shell bangles; terracotta ear ornaments; saddle querns with Buddhist symbols and burnt grains which compromised wheat, Jowar, gram, ber and rice.

ThePompeii Lakshmiivory statuette(1st century CE) found in the ruins ofPompeiiin Italy is thought to have originated in Bhokardan.

However, the most exquisite of all the find was the lower half of an ivory female figurine, carved in the round with two female attendants. It is reminiscent of the ivory statue of Hindu goddess found at ancient Roman town-cityPompeiinear modern Naples in the Italy, which was destroyed and buried under ash and pumice in the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. Numbers of scholars have argued that the ivory statue of Pompeii had its origin at Bhokardan, which found its way either through ancient caravan basedsilk routeor via ship basedspice routeto Pompeii in the first century AD.Similar ivory objects were also found at Ter. This statues serves as a testimonial of trade relationships of the ancient world.

During Satavahanas' period Bhokardan was a center for ivory artifacts, which were traded for other items. After the decline of the Satavahanas, Bhokardan lost its importance as a major trade center, leading to its downfall.It seems to have been re-occupied only in medieval period.

The ivory female statue and number of other artifacts which were found during excavation are now preserved and displayed at the history museum, of department of History & Ancient Indian Culture, ofDr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University,Aurangabad.

Geography

Bhokardan is located at20.27°N 75.77°E/20.27; 75.77.It has an average elevation of 587 metres (1925 feet). The old city lies on small hills on the south bank of Kelana river. Over the last few decades, city has expanded and continue to grow southwards, towards the road toJalna.

Demographics

As of 2018Indiacensus,Bhokardan had a population of 70,416. Males constitute 35751 of the population and females 34665. Population of Children with age of 0-6 is 3767 which is 15.43% of total population of Bhokardan (M Cl). Female Sex Ratio is of 915 against state average of 929. Moreover, Child Sex Ratio in Bhokardan is around 859 compared to Maharashtra state average of 894. Literacy rate of Bhokardan city is 81.96% lower than state average of 82.34%. In Bhokardan, Male literacy is around 88.66% while female literacy rate is 74.72%.

Religions in Bhokardan
Religion			Percent
Hindus			49.95%
Muslims			43.13%
Buddhists			5.43%
Christians			0.10%
Jains			1.20%
Not Stated†			0.15%
Distribution of religions †IncludesSikhs(0.04%),Buddhists(<0.2%).

Government

Main article:Bhokardan (Vidhan Sabha constituency)

Bhokardan (constituency number 103) is one of the fiveVidhan Sabhaconstituencies located inJalna districtand is the seat for theMember of the legislative assembly.It covers the entireJafrabadtalukaand part of Bhokardan tehsil of this district. Current MLA for Bhokardan constituency isSantosh DanveofBhartiya Janta Party,son ofRaosaheb Danve.

Bhokardan is part ofJalna Lok Sabha Constituency.

Economy

Weekly market of Bhokardan is on Saturday of every week.

Gallery

• 
  Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar's statue in Bhokardan
• 
  Technology seminar for students in Bhokardan

See also

• Bhokardan (Vidhan Sabha constituency)

• Bhokardan Caves

Further reading

• Deo, S. B. and R. S. Gupte (eds.) (1974).Excavations at Bhokardan (Bhogavardhana),Nagpur: Nagpur University