Latur district | |
|---|---|
.svg) Location in Maharashtra | |
| Coordinates (Udgir):18°24′N76°35′E / 18.4°N 76.58°E /18.4; 76.58 | |
| Country |  India |
| State |  Maharashtra |
| Established | 16 August 1982 (29thDistrict of Maharashtra( |
| Headquarters | Latur |
| Tehsils | |
| Government | |
| • Type | District council |
| • Body | Latur Zilla Parishad |
| • Guardian Minister | Shivendra Raje Bhosale (Cabinet Minister) |
| • President Zilla Parishad |
|
| • District Collector |
|
| • CEO Zilla Parishad |
|
| • MPs | |
| Area | |
• Total | 7,157 km2 (2,763 sq mi) |
| • Urban | 117.78 km2 (45.48 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 515 m (1,690 ft) |
| Highest elevation | 636 m (2,087 ft) |
| Population (2011) | |
• Total | 2,454,196 |
| • Density | 342.9/km2 (888.1/sq mi) |
| • Urban | 25.47% |
| Demographics | |
| • Literacy | 79.03% |
| • Sex ratio | 924 |
| Time zone | UTC+05:30 (IST) |
| Vehicle registration | MH24, MH55 |
| Official language | Marathi[1] |
| Major highways | NH 361 |
| Website | latur |
Latur district (Marathi pronunciation:[laːt̪uːɾ]) is adistrict inMaharashtra state of India.Latur city is the district headquarters and is the 16th largest city in the state of Maharashtra.[2] The district is primarily agricultural. Urban population comprises 25.47% of the total population.[3]
| Member of Parliament | Political Party | Lok Sabha Constituency |
|---|---|---|
| Shivaji Bandappa Kalge | Indian National Congress | Latur |
| Guardian Minister Latur | |
|---|---|
 Emblem of India | |
since 18 January 2025 | |
| Style | The Honourable |
| Appointer | Chief Minister of Maharashtra |
| Term length | 5 years / No time limit |
| Website | latur |
| Name | Term of office |
|---|---|
| Pankaja Munde | 31 October 2014 - 8 November 2019 |
| Amit Deshmukh | 9 January 2020 - 29 June 2022 |
| Girish Mahajan | 24 September 2022 - 26 November 2024 |
| Shivendra Raje Bhosale | 18 January 2025 - Incumbent |
| District Magistrate / Collector Latur | |
|---|---|
Emblem of India | |
Incumbent since 2023Varsha Thakur-Ghuge (IAS) | |
| Residence | At Latur district |
| Appointer | Government of Maharashtra |
| Term length | No time limit |
| Website | latur |
| Chief Executive Officer, Zilla Parishad, Latur | |
|---|---|
Emblem of India | |
Incumbent since 2025Rahul Kumar Meena (IAS) | |
| Website | latur |
Latur has an ancient history, which probably dates to theRashtrakuta period. It was home to a branch of Rashtrakutas which ruled the Deccan 753-973 AD. The firstRashtrakuta king Dantidurga was from Lattalur, probably the ancient name for Latur. Anecdotally, Ratnapur is mentioned as a name for Latur.
The KingAmoghavarsha ofRashtrakuta developed Latur city, originally the native place of the Rashtrakutas. The Rashtrakutas who succeeded theChalukyas ofBadami in 753 AD called themselves the residents of Lattalur.
It was, over the centuries, ruled by theSatavahanas, theSakas, theChalukyas, theYadavas ofDevgiri, theDelhi Sultans, theBahamani rulers of South India,Adilshahi, and theMughals.
In the 17th century, it became part of the independent princely state of Hyderabad. Under theHyderabad of Nizams, the tax system was reformed and many of the exploitative taxing practices were ended.[4] In 1905 it was merged with surrounding areas, renamed Latur tehsil, and became part ofOsmanabad district, which until 17 September 1948 was a part ofHyderabad Kingdom under theNizams. The chief of Nizam's Razakar armyQasim Rizwi was from Latur.
After independence and the merger of Hyderabad with the Indian Union, Osmanabad became part of Bombay Province. On 1 May 1960, with the creation of Maharashtra, Osmanabad was one of its districts. Because of the concerted efforts of Former Cooperation ministerKeshavrao Sonawane and then newly elected member of assembly Vilasrao Deshmukh on 16 August 1982, a separate Latur district was carved out ofOsmanabad district.[5]
In Latur's Papvinashak Temple a 12th-centuryKannada inscription ofWestern Chalukya emperorSomeshvara III was found. According to that inscription, 500 scholars were living in Lattlaur (Latur) at that time and that Latur was the city of King Someshwar.
Latur district is in the Marathwada region in Maharashtra in India, located between 17°52' North to 18°50' North and 76°18' East to 79°12' East in the Deccan plateau. It has an average elevation of 631 metres (2,070 ft) above mean sea level. The entire district of Latur is on theBalaghat plateau, 540 to 638 metres from the mean sea level.
Latur District is bound byUdgir district to the northeast,Osmanabad district to the south-west, andBeed.
On 30 September 1993 anearthquake struck Latur. It is the 16 largest city in Maharashtra.[citation needed]
Average rainfall in the district is 600 to 800 mm. This is usually during the monsoon months from July to October. Moderate temperatures are mainly observed. The rainfall is unpredictable in tune with the Indian monsoon. Summers begin from early March to July. Summers are dry and hot. The temperature ranges from 25 °C to 39.6 °C, though at the peak they may reach 45 °C. November to January is the winter season. Temperatures at the peak drop to single digits but usually they hover around 12 °C to 21.8 °C sometimes lowers up to 11 °C. January to March are the months with moderate temperatures.
The district lies in theGodavari river basin. Much of the water used in the district comes from theManjara River, which suffered fromenvironmental degradation and silting in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.[6][7] Other major rivers of the district are the Terna (Tirna), Rena, Manar, Tawarja (Tawarjo), Tiru and Gharni.[8] These rivers and a number of smaller ones are dammed to provide both irrigation and drinking water.[9] Large dams include theDevargan Dam,Gharni Dam,Masalga Dam,Sakol Dam on the Sol River,Tawarja Dam, andTiru Dam.[9] On the northern plains of the district there are three main rivers, the Manyad, the Lendi (a tributary of the Teru), and the Teru (Tiru).[10]
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 1901 | 423,609 | — |
| 1911 | 506,549 | +1.80% |
| 1921 | 479,723 | −0.54% |
| 1931 | 540,019 | +1.19% |
| 1941 | 600,373 | +1.07% |
| 1951 | 660,823 | +0.96% |
| 1961 | 818,160 | +2.16% |
| 1971 | 1,048,618 | +2.51% |
| 1981 | 1,292,882 | +2.12% |
| 1991 | 1,676,641 | +2.63% |
| 2001 | 2,080,285 | +2.18% |
| 2011 | 2,454,196 | +1.67% |
| source:[11] | ||
| Religion | Percent | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hinduism | 81.78% | |||
| Islam | 14.98% | |||
| Buddhism | 2.71% | |||
| Other or not stated | 0.53% | |||
According to the2011 census Latur district had apopulation of 2,454,196,[3] roughly equal to the nation ofKuwait[13] or the US state ofNevada.[14] This gives it a ranking of 181st among thedistricts of India (out of a total of 640).[3] The district had a population density of 343 inhabitants per square kilometre (890/sq mi).[3] Its population growth rate over the decade 2001-2011 was 18.04%.[3] Latur had asex ratio of 924females for every 1000 males,[3] and aliteracy rate of 79.03%. 25.46% of the population lives in urban areas. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes make up 19.60% and 2.34% of the population respectively.[3]
At the time of the2011 Census of India, 81.75% of the population in the district spokeMarathi, 8.08%Hindi, 6.37%Urdu and 1.82%Lambadi as their first language.[15]
Shri Siddeshwar fair at Latur is held every year. Thousands of people attend the Gangaram Maharaj Samadhi every Ekadashi at Hattibet in Udgir tehsil.
In January 2011, the first ever 'Latur Festival' was organised on 10, 11 and 12 January under the guidance of Mr. Amit Deshmukh.[citation needed] The grand success of this event has now ensured a permanent spot on the cultural calendar. Now this is an annual fixture. The event is organised by the Latur Club.
TheLatur Pattern of study was developed by former principalsJanardan Waghmare and Aniruddha Jadhav ofRajarshi Shahu College inLatur, India.[16]
The 'Latur pattern' is a combination of special training and intensive coaching. Students solve a series of probable question papers and attend coaching sessions to prepare them for the exams.[17]
Latur pattern is a mechanical methodology of continuous study designed to help students in providing point-to-point answers to questions which could be expected in the examination.[16] It became the standard for secondary, higher secondary, and university education in theMaharashtra state of India.[18] This educational technique has become widely adopted in other parts of the state due to the success of student's in Maharashtra on the standardized Common Entrance Examinations (CET).[18]
This methodology, has been criticized by many educators in India, who consider it a tool to gain temporary advantage, that does not prepare them for advanced learning.[16][18][19]
In past few years, Latur has emerged as an educational hub for higher education. There are many institutions which offer bachelor's degree, and master's degree. There are many institutions which offer Engineering degrees, one leading engineering college among them isSTMEI'S Sandipani Technical Campus - Faculty of Engineering and Polytechnic, Latur. Most of the well established professional degree colleges are located in Latur city, many have recently been erected in sub-urban area. Being renowned for its glorious results, Latur city attracts many students from different parts of state.
There are as many as 1284 primary schools run by and 487 private schools affiliated to the Education department of Latur District Council. The primary medium of teaching in most of these schools is Marathi. However; many schools observe English, Semi-English, Urdu medium of teaching. Latur is known for itsLatur Pattern which has given toppers to the state for many years in HSC and SSC exams conducted byMSBSHSE.
Administratively the district is divided into one subdivisions namely Latur and further divided into onetalukas & one Panchayat Samitis. These areLatur, Latur city is the administrative headquarters of the district. There are around 124 villages & 101Gram Panchayats in the district.
There are two Vidhan Sabha constituencies in Latur District. These areLatur City,Latur Rural .[20] The district votes in one Lok Sabha constituencyLatur for the other three Latur city, Latur Rural.[21]
Latur city is only a municipal corporation and Udgir city Municipal corporation in the districtAusa,Nilanga are the major urban centers in the district and all haveMunicipal Councils. The following are the 14 largest villages, administered bygram panchayats, followed by their 2011 population:
Latur became one of the important trading hub during the time ofNizams ofHyderabad. It is an industrial center as well as agriculture-based economy. Latur has become the rising Industrial Hub OfMarathwada.
Latur is known all over India for the quality and quantity of pulses that it produces especiallyPigeon pea. Latur is also a major trading center for Urad, Moong and Channa along with Toor. Also it is known for trading in Oil Seeds mainly Sun-flower and Soya Bean, kardi (safflower), nutcrackers, locks, brassware, milk powder, ginning and pressing. It is also home to several sugar mills like Manjra, Rena, Vikas, Jagruti etc.
GDVA Per Capita (At Current Price) of Latur district was ₹1,34,634 in 2019–2020. This records an increase from the previous number of ₹1,23,044.[23]
Latur Airport is located between Akharwai and Harangul Bk., northwest of Latur city. The Airport was constructed in 1991 by Public Works Department (PWD) and then handed over to MIDC. It was upgraded at a cost of nearly Rs.140 million and is being operated on a 99-year lease byReliance Airport Developers (RADPL).[24] There is no scheduled air service currently from latur airport although the airport sees 14 to 16 aircraft movements a month.[25]
Several National & State Highways cross Latur district. They include:
Chinnur, Sironcha, Bijapur, Jagdalpur, Kotapad, NH26 near BorigumaNH 63
Bus routes to the district headquarters connect 96% of the villages.
The municipal bus system operates buses that serve the region and connect places in Latur City. The State Transport buses ofMaharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) serves all villages in the district.
All railway lines through Latur are broad gauge. They belong toCentral Railway
Latur railway station was built again when the Barshi railway line was converted from narrow gauge tobroad gauge. The railway gauge was converted in September 2007 from Latur to Osmanabad and in October 2008 from Osmanabad toKurduvadi. Latur is now connected toMumbai by a direct train via Kurduvadi (train number 1006 from Latur and 1005 from Mumbai). It is connected toHyderabad by train number 7013 that originates at Osmanabad.[26]With the introduction of train number 1005 via Kurduvadi in October 2008, the earlier train connecting Latur to Latur Road, Parbhani and Aurangabad was discontinued.
The important railway stations are Latur, Latur Road and Udgir. The district has 148 km of broad gauge railway line.
The railway line from Latur to Kurduwadi to Miraj was narrow gauge. The Kurduwadi-Pandharpur section towards Miraj was converted to broad gauge in 2002. The Latur to Osmanabad section was converted to broad gauge in September 2007. (Osmanabad did not lie on the narrow gauge railway line and the alignment was changed for the new broad gauge track to pass through Osmanabad.) The Osmanabad-Kurduwadi section of broad gauge track became operational in October 2008. The Pandharpur-Miraj section was also narrow gauge earlier and the conversion to broad gauge is done on priority. This is very important route to Goa. Trains will help them achieve Konkan and Goan markets and hence the poor economy of these people will improve.
The Maharashtra Cricket Association is planning to construct their home ground near Latur City.Also a Divisional sports complex have been sanctioned for Latur region, which would cater to the needs of players in Latur, Osmanabad and Nanded districts.
National Level Kabaddi and Basket Ball were held in Latur district. Latur Region is still awaiting to get a Krida Prabodhini.
Latur District is served by 12 government hospitals, 46 Primary Health Centers, 19 dispensaries and 234 primary health support groups. A Super Specialty Hospital is taking place in Latur which would benefit to the patients in 11 adjoining districts. In addition to these there are a large number of private hospitals as well.
Along with that, Latur has two medical colleges namely "Government Medical College and Hospital", and "MIMSR Medical College & Hospital", the latter of which is privately owned.
Post office: According to 1991 census, only 250 villages of total 914 had post offices, serving 52.27% of the rural population.
Latur had a devastating, though only low magnitude, earthquake on 30 September 1993 resulting in a huge loss of life. The earthquake measured only 6.3 on the Richter scale but more than 30,000 people were estimated to have died mainly due to poor construction of houses and village huts made of stones which just collapsed on people who were fast asleep in early morning hours. It struck southernMarathwada region of Maharashtra state in central-western part of India and affected Latur, Beed, Osmanabad and adjoining districts about 400 km south-east ofMumbai (Bombay). It was an intra-plate earthquake. Latur was almost completely destroyed and life came to a standstill. The earthquake's focus was around 12 km deep - relatively shallow causing shock waves to cause more damage. The number of lives lost was high as the earthquake occurred at 3.56 a.m. local time when people were fast asleep.
After the earthquake, seismic zones were reclassified and building codes and standards were revised all over India.
Kuwait 2,595,62
Nevada 2,700,551
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