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Dhule

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Dhule is a major city located in the state of Maharashtra, India. It sits in the Khandesh region, which is part of the northwest Deccan Plateau. The city is positioned on the southern bank of the Panzara River. It also lies within a valley formed by the Tapi River.

Central Bus Stand of Dhule
Central Bus Stand of Dhule

Dhule serves as a regional headquarters for several important organizations. These include the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC), the Regional Transport Office (RTO), and the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC). The city is a mix of industrial zones, schools, hospitals, and residential neighborhoods.

The geography of the Dhule district is defined by its surrounding borders and climate. The district is bordered by Gujarat State to the west. To the north, it meets Madhya Pradesh and the Nandurbar district. Nashik district lies to the south, while Jalgaon district is to the east. The climate is mostly dry, except during the south-west monsoon season. The year has four distinct seasons. The cold season runs from December to February. The hot season follows from March to May. The monsoon lasts until September. In May, the mean daily maximum temperature can reach 40.7 degrees Celsius.

During the monsoon, humidity rises above 70 percent.

Dhule has a complex history involving many different rulers. Before the 19th century, it was an insignificant village under Laling. The town changed hands between Arab kings, the Mughals, and the Nizam. Around 1795, the Peshwas gained power in the area. In 1803, a famine and the ravages of Holkar caused the inhabitants to desert the town. In 1804, Balaji Balwant helped repopulate the area. He managed the territory of Songir and Laling until the British arrived in 1818. Captain John Briggs then chose Dhule as the headquarters for the new Khandesh District. The British referred to the town as Dhulia.

Since the British period, the city has grown steadily. In 1819, the population was only 2,509 people living in 401 houses. By 1872, the population had reached 12,489. The town became a significant trading center for cotton and linseed in the late 19th century. Local industries produced coarse cotton, woolen cloths, and turbans. However, the city faced challenges like a severe flood in 1872. Public services began to grow during the British Raj. A civil hospital was established in 1825. By 1881, the town functioned as a cantonment town with telegraph and post offices.

Today, Dhule is a vital economic hub with a strategic location. It sits at the junction of three National Highways: NH-3, NH-6, and NH-211. The Ministry of Surface Transport is converting four state highways into National Highways. This could make Dhule one of the few Indian cities at the convergence of seven National Highways. The city is also part of the Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) as Node–17. This is a massive infrastructure program for developing new industrial cities.

Central Bus Stand of Dhule
Central Bus Stand of Dhule

The planned Manmad–Indore Rail Project will also boost connectivity.

The local economy relies on diverse industries and natural resources. Dhule is famous for producing pure milk and ghee. It is also a leader in wind power generation. Near Chhadvel Korde and Nijampur, the Suzlon Company runs Asia's largest Wind Mills Project. Nearby, there is also one of Asia's largest solar projects. The city is emerging as a hub for textiles, edible oil, and Information Technology. Safexpress has opened India's largest Logistics Park on the outskirts of the city.

Many smaller industries also operate, such as pottery and brick making.

Education and healthcare are central to the city's modern infrastructure. The Shri Bhausaheb Hire Government Medical College was founded in 1989. In 2016, a new building with 500 beds was opened at Chakkar Bardi. This new site is about 8 km from the city along NH-6. The city also hosts several engineering and medical colleges. For example, the Bapusaheb Shivajirao Deore College of Engineering is located there. The population of Dhule is 375,603, according to the 2011 census. The literacy rate is 85 percent, which is higher than the national average of 74 percent.

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