Introduction

The present Wardha district was a part of Nagpur district till 1862. Later, for administrative convenience, Wardha district was separated and the district headquarters was kept at Kawatha near Pulgaon. In 1866, the district headquarters was shifted to Palakwadi (Wardha). Wardha district is in the state of Maharashtra in western India. This district is a part of Nagpur division. Wardha city is the administrative headquarters of the district. Hinganghat, Arvi and Wardha are the major cities of the district. As of 2011, the population of the district was 1,300,774, of which 26.28% were urban. Geographically, in the state of Maharashtra, Wardha district, which is 6309 sq. km. in size, is small in size and has been proved by the residence of His Holiness Mahatma Gandhi and Acharya Vinoba Bhave. The district’s contribution to the freedom struggle is well-known. The prayer of Sevagram, the march of Pawanar and the struggle of Ashti are the identity of this district. There are 8 talukas and the same number of Panchayat Samiti in this district. The Bordharan on the Bor river and the Mahakali irrigation project on the Dham river, which are a boon to the agricultural sector in the district, have proved beneficial to the agricultural sector. This district is mainly known as Gandhi district.

History of Wardha District

The history of Wardha district dates back to ancient times. It was part of the Maurya, Shunga, Satavahana and Vakataka empires. Vakataka was a contemporary of the Imperial Gupta. Pravarpur, now modern Pavnar, was once the capital of the Vakataka dynasty. Vakataka was a contemporary of the Imperial Gupta. Chandragupta II’s daughter Prabhavati Gupta was married to the Vakataka ruler Rudrasena II. The Vakataka dynasty lasted from the 2nd to the 5th century AD. Their kingdom extended from the Arabian Sea in the west to the Bay of Bengal in the east and from the Narmada River in the north to the Krishna-Godavari delta in the south. Later, Wardha was ruled by the Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, Yadavs, Delhi Sultanate, Bahamani Sultanate, Muslim rulers of Berar, Gonds and Marathas. Gond king Bulandshah and king Raghuji Bhosale were the prominent rulers of the medieval period. Ashti city in Wardha district was a Mughal state under the guidance of Nawab Muhammad Khan Niazi, who was a Subedar and Mansabdar in the Mughal Empire. During the reign of Emperor Akbar, he received the title Ashti Jahangir. Nawab Ahmed Khan Niazi was the eldest son of Nawab Muhammad Khan Niazi. He also served as a Mansabdar and Jahangirdar in the Mughal court during the reign of Emperor Jahangir. Ahmed Khan Niazi defeated Rahim Khan Dakhni and captured Elichpur from the Berar Empire for the Mughals.

In 1850, Wardha, then part of Nagpur, was annexed by the British. It was included in the Central Provinces. Wardha is a sister city to Sevagram and both were used as major centres for the Indian independence movement, especially as the headquarters for the annual session of the Indian National Congress in 1934 and as the ashram of Mahatma Gandhi. The present Wardha district was part of Nagpur district till 1862. Later, for convenient administrative reasons, it was separated and Kawatha near Pulgaon was the district headquarters. In 1866, the district headquarters was shifted to the village of Palakwadi which was reconstituted as Wardha city.

Sevagram Ashram

Sevagram ashram is one of the places of pilgrimage for those who want to see and feel how Mahatma Gandhi lived and fought for India’s freedom. Later in 1936, Gandhiji established his residence in a village called Segaon at 1933, at the request of Shri Jamnalal Bajaj he came to Wardha for some time. He lived in the Prarthana the outskirts of Wardha, which he renamed as Sevagram, which means ‘vllage of service. Jamnalalji gave his land for this ashram. Gandhiji had laid a condition that in no case be spent on the construction of his hut, and the materials used for the same would be procured locally. Following his instructions, Adi Nivas, the first residence of Gandhiji, was constructed at Sevagram. The small living places which were built in the ashram for Gandhiji and his wife Kasturba and his followers were similar to the typical village huts. Many decisions on important national matters and movements were taken at Sevagram. It became the central place for a number of institutions for the nation building activities and it remained the centre of Gandhiji’s activities till India won its freedom. The inmates of the ashram continue to perform the daily schedule of the ashram including prayer, spinning, manual labour, cleaning and farming. It maintains a bookshop, dairy farm and runs a school based on Nai Talim (new or basic education) principles. It organizes programmes on important dates and events connected with Gandhiji. Sevagram has become a place of national and international pilgrimage and number of people continue to visit it regularly.

PAVNAR ASHRAM

Pavnar is located 6 km from Wardha city in Wardha district in the Indian state of Maharashtra. Acharya Vinoba Bhave got valuable contribution in the Indian independence struggle. For the Indian freedom struggle, he started a Bhoodan movement all over India. This village has an ashram of Acharya Vinoba Bhave on the banks of river Dham. This Ashram is spread over 15 acres of land. There is a bio-diversity in it. The ashram attracts people who come here from the unhappiness that is spreading through nature and in the presence of nature. Most people coming here are highly educated. Vinoba Bhave the pioneer of the Bhudan movement started this ashram. Acharya Vinoba Bhave started this ashram especially for women. Sadhvi (like Meerabai) was a worshiper of the life of this women. The woman staying in the ashram is called the Brahma Vidya Mandir.

Gitai Mandir

Gitai Mandir is a unique temple in India which has no deity and roof. It has just walls made of granite slabs on which 18 chapters of Gitai (Shrimad-bhagwad-gita in marathi) are inscribed. The wall enclosed a little beautiful park. This temple was inaugurated by Acharya Vinoba Bhave in 1980.

Bor Sanctuary

Bor Tiger Reserve is a wildlife sanctuary which was declared as a tiger reserve in July 2014. It is located near Hingani in Wardha District in the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is a home to a variety of wild animals. The reserve covers an area of 138.12 km² (53.33 sq mi). which includes the drainage basin of the Bor Dam. It is notable that Bor Tiger Reserve and some adjacent protected areas will be merged with Pench Tiger Reserve (Maharashtra) as a ‘Satellite core area’, to more than double the area of that well established tiger reserve.

VISHWASHANTI STUPA

Vishwashanti Stupa is a large white stupa near Gitai Temple in Wardha district of Maharashtra. The idol of Buddha is set on four sides of this stupa. There is also a small Japanese Buddhist monastery with a large park. There is a temple near the stupa where universal peace is prayed. This Stupa 1 It has been opened in 1993, It is one of the Nearly 80 peace pagans made around the world.

District at a Glance

Area :- 

6310 sq. km.

Languages :-

 Marathi, Hindi, English

Gram Panchayats :-

 521

Villages :-

 1387

Population :-

 1300774

Males :-

 668385

Females :-

 632389

Literacy :-

 72.80 percent

Importance of Zilla Parishad

Zilla Parishad is a local self-government body at the district level in India. Zilla Parishad plays an important role in implementing various development programs and schemes of the Central Government and the State Government at the grassroots level. The functioning of Zilla Parishad is carried out in a three-tier system of Panchayati Raj system, namely Zilla Parishad, Panchayat Samiti, Gram Panchayat. Zilla Parishad plays an important role in implementing rural development programs. Since the functioning is carried out through the cooperation of the rural people and the administration, various schemes of the government are reached at the grassroots level. Zilla Parishad has empowered local self-government institutions, which allows districts to manage their own affairs and take decisions according to their specific needs. The districts improve healthcare, education, women and child welfare, social welfare schemes, housing schemes and infrastructure. Zilla Parishad prepares an annual plan outlining projects and programs for the development of the respective district. The annual plan is accompanied by a budget, which is allocated to various departments and sectors.

The Zilla Parishad consists of elected members, known as Zilla Parishad members. They represent various Zilla Parishad groups in the district. The Zilla Parishad President is the Chief Executive Officer of the organization and oversees the activities being implemented. The Vice President assists the President and assumes office in his absence. The Election Commission of India conducts elections to the Zilla Parishad. All citizens above the age of 18 residing in the district are eligible to vote. As per the Constitution of India, seats are reserved for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST) and women.

There are committees under the Zilla Parishad.

 

1. Zilla Parishad General Committee
2. Standing Committee

The following subject committees are under the Zilla Parishad.

1. Water Management and Sanitation Committee
2. Finance Committee
3. Construction Committee
4. Education and Sports Committee
5. Health Committee
6. Agriculture Committee
7. Animal Husbandry and Dairy Committee
8. Women and Child Welfare Committee
9. Social Welfare Committee

The Zilla Parishad plays a vital role in the overall development of the district, with a focus on marginalized communities. It provides a platform for local people to participate in the decision-making process, ensuring transparency and accountability.

Administration and Coordination

The Chief Executive Officer is the administrative head of the Zilla Parishad. The Zilla Parishad coordinates with various departments like Health, Education, Agriculture and District Rural Development Mechanism to ensure development. The Zilla Parishad administration regularly interacts with citizens, NGOs and private sector organizations to ensure people’s participation.

The Zilla Parishad receives funds from the State Government, Central Government and other sources. The Zilla Parishad manages the expenditure as per the approved budget and ensures transparency and accountability. The Zilla Parishad conducts regular audits to ensure financial discipline and the Finance Department of the Zilla Parishad performs financial accounting, reconciliation and control of financial matters etc.

Regular progress reports are submitted by the Zilla Parishad to the State Government and the Divisional Office. The Zilla Parishad evaluates its performance based on predefined indicators and takes corrective actions to improve the results.