Telugu Historyతెలుగు చరిత్ర

Nizamabad (old district)

The old Nizamabad district lay in north-western Telangana in undivided Andhra Pradesh, between the Godavari and the Manjira. Until 1905 it was the Nizam's Indur district. The Nizam Sagar dam on the Manjira was completed in 1931. Its canals helped make this a region of paddy and sugarcane, with the Nizam Sugar Factory at Bodhan as its main industry. In 2016 Telangana divided it into Nizamabad and Kamareddy districts.

The old Nizamabad district lay in north-western Telangana, with the Godavari river on its northern border and the Manjira flowing through it.1 Its headquarters was Nizamabad town, once called Indur.2 The district took the name Nizamabad in 1905, and Telangana divided it into two districts on 11 October 2016.13

Early history and kingdoms

According to the 2001 census handbook, the Rashtrakutas, the Chalukyas and the Kakatiyas all ruled the area in turn.4 The handbook says the old name, Indur, is thought to come from an ancient king, but that this cannot be confirmed.4 See Bodhan for its temple and its inscription of 1056.

The 1909 gazetteer says Ala-ud-din Khilji conquered the area in 1311.5 Later it formed part of the Bahmani and then the Qutb Shahi kingdoms.5 When Golconda fell, Aurangzeb added it to the Mughal empire.5 Early in the eighteenth century it passed to the Hyderabad State of the Asaf Jahis.5

The gazetteer describes the fort of Nirmal, defended by works built by French officers in the Nizam’s service.5 South-west of Nizamabad stood a great fortified temple, the fort of Indur, which had become a Central jail.5 It was first a temple built by Raghunath Das, who also made the tank that supplied the town with water.2 At Gaursamudram, ten miles south of Nizamabad, were the tombs of three Armenians of the late seventeenth century.5

The Nizam’s district

Before 1866, contractors collected revenue from villages and kept 10 per cent of the amount.6 In 1866 the whole state was divided into districts and taluks, and grain payments were changed into cash.6 A survey of the land was finished in 1898.6

Indur district then covered 4,822 square miles.7 In 1905 its Nirmal and Narsapur taluks went to the new Adilabad district, and Mudhol and part of Banswada to Nander.5 The rest was rearranged to form Nizamabad district.5 The new district covered about 3,282 square miles and had five taluks.87

In Hyderabad State a great dam, the Nizam Sagar, was built across the Manjira at Achampet in Banswada taluk.9 It was completed in 1931.10 The 1931 census report says Bodhan taluk and a few villages of Yellareddy taluk briefly formed a separate Nizam Sagar district.11 This was done to develop the project area.11 For the census they were still counted as part of Nizamabad.11

1956–2014

In 1956 the district became part of Andhra Pradesh, with the eight other districts of Telangana.1 At the same time it gained the Bichkonda and Jukkal circles of Deglur taluk from Nanded district.1 In 1958 these became the new Madnur sub-taluk.1 In 1961 the district had three revenue divisions and seven taluks.1

In December 1979 Armur and Kamareddy taluks were split, and two new taluks, Bheemgal and Domakonda, were formed.12 The census of 1981 counted Nizamabad among the 23 districts of Andhra Pradesh.13 In 1985 the 9 taluks were reorganised into 35 mandals.12 A new Yedpalle mandal was added in 1988, making 36.12 The Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014 placed the district in the new State of Telangana.14

Division, 2016

On 11 October 2016 Telangana divided the district into two districts:3

Administration

After 1905 the district had five taluks: Nizamabad, Bodhan, Armur, Kamareddipet and Yellareddipet.7 It also held three samasthans (tributary estates) and seven large jagirs (land grants), among other estates.7 A First Talukdar (district officer) ran the district, with Second and Third Talukdars over three sub-divisions.6

In 1961 there were three revenue divisions, Nizamabad, Bodhan and Kamareddy.1 By 2001 the district had 36 mandals in the same three divisions:1215

  • Nizamabad, with 14 mandals
  • Bodhan, with 12 mandals
  • Kamareddy, with 10 mandals15

Nizamabad town was the headquarters of both Indur and Nizamabad districts.57

Land, farming and water

In 1901 jowar grew on 58 per cent of the cropped land, and rice came next.16 The district had 635 large tanks, 837 smaller ones and 3,112 wells, which watered 119 square miles.16 Channels from the Phulang and Suran rivers fed some of the main tanks.16 Tanks, wells and forests kept it fairly free from famine.17

The Nizam Sagar was completed in 1931.10 It was planned to water 2,75,000 acres, and by 1961 about 2,07,000 acres had been brought under it.9 In 1960–61 government canals watered 1,51,315 acres and tanks 1,20,814 acres.9 Large areas of sugarcane and paddy were grown in Nizamabad, Bodhan, Banswada and Armur taluks.9

By 1999–2000 the district also drew water from the Sriramsagar project.18 That year 1,69,805 hectares were irrigated.18 By then, tube wells watered 1,07,503 hectares, more than four times the area served by canals.18 Paddy covered 1,70,258 hectares, and turmeric was grown mostly around Armur and Bheemgal.1920

Crafts and industries

The ironstone of Bimgal and Armur was described as excellent in 1909.16 Sword blades made from the steel of Konasamudram in Armur taluk had once been famous.16 The Khatris of Armur wove silk saris, and more than half of them were sold outside the district.16 Bimgal and Nirmal made painted palanquins, trays, toys and playing cards.16 A rice mill had just been built, and Mudhol had a steam cotton gin and press.17

The 1961 handbook calls the district “agriculturally rich and famous for Agro based industries”.9 Kamareddy taluk made beedis in many factories, and Kamareddy had a factory that made power alcohol from mahua flowers.9 The Nizam Sugar Factory at Bodhan was by far the largest industry, and it also made power alcohol from molasses.921

Around 2000 the district had nine large and medium industries.22 The Nizam Sugar Factory at Bodhan still employed 1,600 people, and there was a co-operative sugar factory at Sarangapur.23 A starch mill at Mubaraknagar and a paper mill were among the others.23

People

The 2001 census handbook lists the district’s population within its 2001 boundaries, from 1901 onward.24 The 2011 figure is from the 2011 handbook.25

Census yearPopulation
19016,91,020
19115,59,607
19518,31,513
196110,17,987
198116,79,683
200123,45,685
201125,51,335

The population fell by 19 per cent between 1901 and 1911.24 Between 1951 and 1961 it grew fast, as families from the delta districts moved onto the new canal lands, the 1961 handbook says.26 In 1901 about 78 per cent of the people of Indur district spoke Telugu.5

Where the sources disagree

  • The 1909 gazetteer says the state was divided into districts and taluks in 1866.6 The 2001 census handbook says the districts were reorganised under Salar Jung I in 1876, when Indur became a district.12

For an overview of district changes, see How the map changed.

Footnotes

  1. A. Chandra Sekhar, Census of India 1961, Andhra Pradesh: District Census Handbook, Nizamabad District (1965), p. i (PDF p. 19) (censusindia.gov.in (opens in a new tab)). ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7

  2. Imperial Gazetteer of India, Provincial Series: Hyderabad State (1909), p. 132 (archive.org (opens in a new tab)). ↩ ↩2

  3. Government of Telangana, Revenue (DA-CMRF) Department, G.O.Ms. No. 229 (Nizamabad) and No. 230 (Kamareddy), 11 October 2016, final notifications: notification PDF p. 2, Schedule-I PDF p. 3 (archive.org copies of the goir.telangana.gov.in orders: 229 (opens in a new tab), 230 (opens in a new tab)). Cite-only; paraphrased. ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4

  4. Director of Census Operations, Andhra Pradesh, Census of India 2001, Andhra Pradesh: District Census Handbook, Nizamabad District (2006), p. 5 (PDF p. 36) (censusindia.gov.in (opens in a new tab)). Cite-only; paraphrased. ↩ ↩2

  5. Imperial Gazetteer of India, Provincial Series: Hyderabad State (1909), p. 124 (archive.org (opens in a new tab)). ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7 ↩8 ↩9 ↩10 ↩11

  6. Imperial Gazetteer of India, Provincial Series: Hyderabad State (1909), p. 128 (archive.org (opens in a new tab)). ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5

  7. Imperial Gazetteer of India, Provincial Series: Hyderabad State (1909), p. 123 (archive.org (opens in a new tab)). ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5

  8. Imperial Gazetteer of India, Provincial Series: Hyderabad State (1909), p. 122 (archive.org (opens in a new tab)). ↩

  9. A. Chandra Sekhar, Census of India 1961, Andhra Pradesh: District Census Handbook, Nizamabad District (1965), p. iv (PDF p. 22) (censusindia.gov.in (opens in a new tab)). ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7

  10. Research and Reference Division, India 1958: A Reference Annual (1958), p. 314 (archive.org (opens in a new tab)). ↩ ↩2

  11. Gulam Ahmad Khan, Census of India 1931, Vol. XXIII: H.E.H. the Nizam’s Dominions (Hyderabad State), Part I: Report (1933), p. 2 (archive.org (opens in a new tab)). ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  12. Director of Census Operations, Andhra Pradesh, Census of India 2001, Andhra Pradesh: District Census Handbook, Nizamabad District (2006), p. 6 (PDF p. 37) (censusindia.gov.in (opens in a new tab)). Cite-only; paraphrased. ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5

  13. Ch. Purnachandra Rao, Census of India 1981, Andhra Pradesh: Portrait of Population (1981), p. 13 (archive.org (opens in a new tab)). ↩

  14. The Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014 (Act No. 6 of 2014), ss. 2–4, pp. 1–2 (Gazette copy (opens in a new tab)). ↩

  15. Director of Census Operations, Andhra Pradesh, Census of India 2001, Andhra Pradesh: District Census Handbook, Nizamabad District (2006), p. 7 (PDF p. 38) (censusindia.gov.in (opens in a new tab)). Cite-only; paraphrased. ↩ ↩2

  16. Imperial Gazetteer of India, Provincial Series: Hyderabad State (1909), p. 126 (archive.org (opens in a new tab)). ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7

  17. Imperial Gazetteer of India, Provincial Series: Hyderabad State (1909), p. 127 (archive.org (opens in a new tab)). ↩ ↩2

  18. Director of Census Operations, Andhra Pradesh, Census of India 2001, Andhra Pradesh: District Census Handbook, Nizamabad District (2006), p. 11 (PDF p. 42) (censusindia.gov.in (opens in a new tab)). Cite-only; paraphrased. ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  19. Director of Census Operations, Andhra Pradesh, Census of India 2001, Andhra Pradesh: District Census Handbook, Nizamabad District (2006), p. 10 (PDF p. 41) (censusindia.gov.in (opens in a new tab)). Cite-only; paraphrased. ↩

  20. Director of Census Operations, Andhra Pradesh, Census of India 2001, Andhra Pradesh: District Census Handbook, Nizamabad District (2006), p. 9 (PDF p. 40) (censusindia.gov.in (opens in a new tab)). Cite-only; paraphrased. ↩

  21. A. Chandra Sekhar, Census of India 1961, Andhra Pradesh: District Census Handbook, Nizamabad District (1965), p. v (PDF p. 23) (censusindia.gov.in (opens in a new tab)). ↩

  22. Director of Census Operations, Andhra Pradesh, Census of India 2001, Andhra Pradesh: District Census Handbook, Nizamabad District (2006), p. 14 (PDF p. 45) (censusindia.gov.in (opens in a new tab)). Cite-only; paraphrased. ↩

  23. Director of Census Operations, Andhra Pradesh, Census of India 2001, Andhra Pradesh: District Census Handbook, Nizamabad District (2006), p. 15 (PDF p. 46) (censusindia.gov.in (opens in a new tab)). Cite-only; paraphrased. ↩ ↩2

  24. Director of Census Operations, Andhra Pradesh, Census of India 2001, Andhra Pradesh: District Census Handbook, Nizamabad District (2006), p. xxvii (PDF p. 19) (censusindia.gov.in (opens in a new tab)). Cite-only; paraphrased. ↩ ↩2

  25. Directorate of Census Operations, Andhra Pradesh, Census of India 2011, Andhra Pradesh: District Census Handbook, Nizamabad District, Part XII-A (Village and Town Directory) (2014), p. 6 (PDF p. 24) (censusindia.gov.in (opens in a new tab)). Cite-only; paraphrased. ↩

  26. A. Chandra Sekhar, Census of India 1961, Andhra Pradesh: District Census Handbook, Nizamabad District (1965), p. xi (PDF p. 29) (censusindia.gov.in (opens in a new tab)). ↩

Places in this district (4)

Monuments in this district (1)

Inscriptions found in this district (2)

References

Sources (10)
  1. Ch. Purnachandra Rao (Census of India 1981), Census of India 1981, Andhra Pradesh: Portrait of Population (opens in a new tab), Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India, 1981, pp. 13. Cite-only; paraphrased. [All rights reserved (cited, not reproduced)]
  2. Government of India, Imperial Gazetteer of India, Provincial Series: Hyderabad State (opens in a new tab), Superintendent of Government Printing, Calcutta, 1909, pp. 122–132. [Public domain]
  3. Khan, Gulam Ahmad, Census of India 1931 vol.23 H.E.H. the Nizamʼs dominions (Hyderabad State); pt.1- Report (opens in a new tab), 1933, pp. 2. [Public domain]
  4. Research and Reference Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, India 1958: A Reference Annual (opens in a new tab), Publications Division, Delhi, 1958, pp. 314. [Public domain in India]
  5. A. Chandra Sekhar (Census of India), Census of India 1961, Andhra Pradesh: District Census Handbook, Nizamabad District (opens in a new tab), Census of India, 1965, i–ii, iv–v, xi. [Public domain in India]
  6. Director of Census Operations, Andhra Pradesh, Census of India 2001, Andhra Pradesh: District Census Handbook, Nizamabad District (Parts A and B) (opens in a new tab), Census of India, 2006, xxvii, 5–7, 9–11, 14–15. Cite-only; paraphrased. [All rights reserved (cited, not reproduced)]
  7. Directorate of Census Operations, Andhra Pradesh, Census of India 2011, Andhra Pradesh (Series 29): District Census Handbook, Nizamabad District, Part XII-A (Village and Town Directory) (opens in a new tab), Census of India, 2014, pp. 6. Cite-only; paraphrased. [All rights reserved (cited, not reproduced)]
  8. Government of Telangana, Revenue (DA-CMRF) Department, Formation / reorganisation of districts, revenue divisions and mandals: final notifications, G.O.Ms. Nos. 221 to 250 (11 October 2016) (opens in a new tab), Government of Telangana (goir.telangana.gov.in), for the Telangana Gazette Extraordinary of 11 October 2016, 2016, PDF pp. 2–3 of each order. Cite-only; paraphrased. [All rights reserved (cited, not reproduced)]
  9. Inspector-General of Police, Andhra Pradesh, The History of the Andhra Pradesh Police (1861-1961) (opens in a new tab), Government of Andhra Pradesh, Hyderabad, 1961, pp. 260. [Public domain in India]
  10. Parliament of India, The Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014 (Act No. 6 of 2014) (opens in a new tab), Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section 1 (1 March 2014), 2014, pp. 1–2 (ss. 2–4). [Public domain (Indian enactment; Copyright Act 1957, s. 52(1)(q))]

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