Akola District along with the rest of the Berar province was part of the legendary kingdom of Vidarbha mentioned in the Mahabharata. Barar also formed part of the Mauryan Empire during the reign of Asoka (272 to 231 BCE). Berar later came under the rule of the Satavahana dynasty (2nd century BCE–2nd century CE), the Vakataka dynasty (3rd to 6th centuries), the Chalukya dynasty (6th to 8th centuries), the Rashtrakuta dynasty (8th to 10th centuries), the Chalukyas again (10th to 12th centuries) and finally the Yadava dynasty of Devagiri (late 12th to early 14th centuries). A period of Muslim rule began when Ala ud din Khilji, Sultan of Delhi, conquered the region in the early 14th century. The region was part of the Bahmani Sultanate, which broke away from the Delhi Sultanate in the mid-14th century. The Bahmani Sultanate broke up into smaller sultanates at the end of the 15th century, and in 1572 Berar became part of the Nizam Shahi sultanate, based at Ahmadnagar. The Nizam Shahis ceded Berar to the Mughal Empire in 1595. The Mughals ruled the BBerar province during 17th century. As Mughal rule started to unravel at the start of the 18th century, Asaf Jah I, Nizam of Hyderabad seized the southern provinces of the empire (including Berar) in 1724, forming an independent state.
Considered one of Maharashtra’s least developed regions, Vidarbha has seen not only farmer’s suicides but also deaths caused by malnutrition. In some tribal are major reasons of recent suicide deaths of farmers in the Akola region and other surrounding parts of Vidarbha, which has rang alarming bells in the Maharashtra State Government and Government of India. Bharat Krishak Samaj, one of the leading organization of farmers in India, is very active in Akola region. It has played a crucial role in promoting the voice of the common farmers of the Vidarbha region to the attention of the Indian Government under the chairmanship of Prakash Shriram Mankar . Vidarbha region has long demanded a separate state to support the economy and agriculture of this region, which has been neglected by the Maharashtra State Government in all sectors. The Government of India’s intervention has failed to provide government aid packages and has also failed to bring any change in the working conditions of the farmers of this region. Oil and Dal mills are becoming rampant in this region because of the crops taken. Textile mills are also increasing to support the cotton growing industry.
Akola called as Cotton City, is known for its cotton production and is the largest cotton-producing district in India. The city is also famous for its pulses (dal), oil, and textile mills. The Akola MIDC Industrial Area has three prominent industrial zones on the outskirts of the city.Cotton and Jowar are the predominant crops grown in the district. Oil and Dal mills are also rampant. The economy is mostly agriculture based. Nowadays, soyabean crop is an important crop as major soyabean plants have come up in the area. The total land under Akola MIDC Industrial area is 6.25 km2. There are about 25 factories (3 large factories and 22 small factories) currently in production and another 10 small factories are in the process of being constructed. Maharashtra Government has sanctioned growth centres close to Akola MIDC area. An application of the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) for setting up an Agro- processing Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Akola district has been approved. Maharashtra State Seeds corporation (Mahabeej) has headoffice at Akola.
Akola is a very old city. In 1857, it was the headquarters of West Berar forming a part of Nizam’s domain. In 1956 with the re-organization of states the district was transferred from Madhya Pradesh to then Bombay state and, in 1960, it becomes part of the Maharashtra state. The city had all along been an important commercial and trading center. The facility of goods transportation & communication system in the form of Railway and roads in addition with the extension of the electric grid system and establishment of the Paras Thermal Power Station ensuring adequate electric power supply have contributed to the industrial development of the city in recent years. The Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeth with its head quarters at Akola came into existence on 20 October 1969 and it added to the importance and development of the city.
Akola is located at latitude 20.7° North and longitude 77.07° East. It is at an altitude of 925 ft (282m) above sea level. Akola has a tropical savanna climate (Köppen climate classification Aw), and people predominately wear cotton clothes. Akola has a National Weather Station which serves as the local weather center. Annual temperatures range from a high of 48°C (118°F) to a low of 10°C (50°F). Akola lies on the Tropic of Cancer and becomes very hot during the summer, especially in May. Although it can be very hot in the day, it is cooler at night. The annual rainfall averages 800 mm. Most of the rainfall occurs in the monsoon season between June and September, but some rain does fall during January and February.
The Battle of Argaon, (or Adgaon near Akot) in took place on 28 November 1803 between the British under the command of Governor Arthur Wellesley and the forces of Maratha under Bhonsle of Nagpur during Second Anglo-Maratha War. In the third Anglo-Maratha War, the last Peshwa Baji Rao II, was defeated by the British. In 1853, Akola district together with the rest of Berar came under the administration of the British East India Company. Berar was divided into East and West Berar with Akola district being included in West Berar. In 1903, Berar was leased to the Nizam of Hyderabad by the British East India Company in return of the debt.
Agriculture is the main occupation of the people in rural parts of the region. Cotton, soybean and Jawar (Sorghum) are the essential crops grown in the district. Other important crops of the region are wheat, sunflower, canola, peanut, Bajra (Pearl Millet), Harbara (Chick Peas), Toor (Pigeon Peas), Urad and Moong (Green Gram), etc. Most crops are dependent on the monsoon. Only 15% of Maharashtra’s gross cropped area is irrigated, compared with the national average of 32.9% in 1989–90. Vidarbha’s Amravati division’s (including Akola District) share of gross cropped area under irrigation of 9%.Akola is a Cotton City.
On the north, Akola is bordered by the Melghat Hills and forest region. The Morna River flows through Akola. Purna River forms a part of the north border of the district, and the top north portion of the district lies within its watershed along with Aas River and Shahnur River. Vaan River forms a part of the northwest boundary of the district after entering from the Amravati district. Maan River drains the southwestern portion of the district. Morna River drains the mid-south portion of the district, while the southeast is drained by the Katepurna and Uma rivers.
The local administration body is the Municipal Corporation which is headed by the Municipal Commissioner and an elected mayor. Mrs Jyotsna Gawai is the mayor of Akola city. Akola city is divided into 73 electoral wards and 4 zones. The total area of the city is about 50 Sq.km of which 31 Sq.km area lies within the Akola Municipal Corporation limits. Akola Municipal Transport (AMT) runs Akola’s public transport service. Akola Municipal Corporation has launched its web-site from 29-Dec-2011,
The “NH6” runs through Akola from Hazira (Surat) to Kolkata. NH6 is a part of Asian Highway 46. Maharashtra state transport buses are most commonly used by people to travel to rural parts of the region. They are the cheapest means of transport. State-owned and private air-conditioned bus services run daily to most major cities to and from Akola. The bus frequency is good. Bus service is available for cities like Nagpur, bhopal, Indore, Hyderabad, Nanded, Amravati, Mumbai, Nashik, Jabalpur.
City Transport: Akola Municipal Transport (AMT) runs Akola’s public transport service. Autorickshaw is also widely used in Akola city for city transport. Traffic is generally a problem, in the form of congestion due to increasing number of vehicles. Road accidents are often fatal and are very common. The municipal corporation is working with the IRDP (Integrated Rural Development Planning) to develope the roads of the city. This may create a new face of the city.
Today, Akola is a developing city and it is one of the major city of the vidarbha region. Akola has very good grain market, oil mills, dal mills & is known for production of cotton. The IT sector is also growing at a fast pace. The city is known for various cultural activities like classical music, spirituality, theater, sports and literature. These activities and opportunities attract migrants and students from other parts of the region.
Akola is well known for its medical facilities. It is a major center for advanced medical treatments, such as the Elizarov Technique, IVF. Akola city has largest number of Hospitals and Clinics in Paschim Varhad (Western Vidarbha). Major hospitals in Akola include: Civil Hospital, Chaudhary Hospital, Raut Hospital & Maternity Home, Akola Critical Care Unit, Ozone Hospital, Icon Hospital, Orbit Hospital, Sant Tukaram Cancer Hospital.
In the 2000s (decade), Akola has seen a spurt in financial activities, with almost all public sector and private banks have opened up branches including the State Bank of India, State Bank of Hyderabad, Axis Bank, Akola Urban Co-Operative Bank, Vidarbha Co-Operative Bank, Akola, TJSB Bank, Canara Bank, Saraswat Bank, Citi Bank, ICICI Bank, Bank of India, HDFC Bank, IDBI Bank, Bank of Maharashtra, Bank of Baroda, Allahabad Bank etc.
Akola Airport (also known as Shivani Airport) (IATA: AKD, ICAO: VAAK) is the domestic airport of Akola city at an elevation of 999 ft (304 m) and has one runway (4,600×145 ft). The airport is just 7 km away from the city on National Highway No. 6. The nearest international airport is at Nagpur (250) and at Aurangabad, Maharashtra (265) . Renovation and operation of Akola airport is taken by Airport Authority of India.
But the rise of Maratha Empire (from 1674 to 1760) under the command of Chhatrapati Shivaji succeeded by his son Sambhaji and grandson Shahu brought the whole Berar province including Akola district under the Maratha Empire around 1734. In 1749 at the time of his death, Shahu appointed the Peshwa as the head of the Maratha Empire with certain conditions to follow. The Berar province remained under the Marathas.
Akola district has an area of about 5431 square kilometers and population of 1,818,617 (2011 census). Akola is the third largest city in Vidarbha region after Nagpur and Amravati. Marathi is the most popular spoken language, though Hindi, English and Urdu are also used. Akola District is bordered on the north and east by Amravati District, on the south by Washim District, and on the west by Buldhana District.
Broadgauging of Akola-Purna, Akola – Indore Junction MG and Akola – Indore Junction BG – Ratlam railway line under Unigauge has recently completed and passenger train have started running on this route. Important railway stations in Akola region with their codes are Paras, Gaigaon, Akola Junction (AK), Murtizapur Junction (MZR) and are under Bhusawal-Badnera Section of Bhusawal Division of Central Railway.
Akola has a famous Agricultural University Dr Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth founded by Late Dr Gopalrao Khedkar (PDKV or PKV). The university attracts students from far distances for its Agricultural Engineering and Technology courses. All other professional colleges in Akola are affiliated with Sant Gadge Baba Amravati University. Other courses are offered such as Engineering at
Akola railway station has good railway connectivity with direct trains to Mumbai, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Okha, Surat, Nanded Jodhpur, Bikaner, Jaipur, Kolhapur, Pune, Kamakhya, Indore, Mhow, Ujjain, Khandwa, Ratlam, Bhopal, Chittorgarh, Nagpur, Gondia, Bilaspur, Howrah, Hatia, Puri, Madras, Hingoli, Purna, Parli Vaidnath, Tirupati, Ganganagar, Secundarabad and Nampally, Hyderabad.