View source for Akola

{{Other uses}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2016}}
<!-- See [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Indian cities]] for details -->
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Akola
| settlement_type    = City
| image_skyline      = {{multiple image 
| border                   = infobox
| total_width              = 270
| image_style              = 
| perrow                   = 1/1/1
| image1                   = Akola City.jpg 
| image3                   = PDKV Akola - Agricultural University.png
}}
| image_caption      = Akola City Tower Chowk, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth Headquarters
| nickname           = The Finacial City,
| GDP                = 
| image_map          = {{maplink|frame=yes|frame-align=center|plain=y|type=shape-inverse|id=Q1191|frame-width=370|frame-height=300|stroke-width=3|frame-lat=18.92|frame-long=76.68|zoom=6|type2=point|coord2={{coord|20.7|N|77.00|E}}|marker-size2=medium}}
| map_alt            = 
| map_caption        = Akola in Maharashtra
| pushpin_map        = 
| pushpin_map_caption = 
| coordinates        = {{coord|20.7|N|77.00|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1  = State
| subdivision_name1  = [[Maharashtra]]
| subdivision_type2  = District
| subdivision_name2  = [[Akola District|Akola]]
| established_title  = Established
| established_date   = 
| founder            = 
| named_for          = Maharaja Akolsingh
| government_type    = Mayor-Council
| governing_body     = Akola Municipal Corporation
| leader_title1      = District Collector
| leader_name1       = Ajit Kumbhar (IAS)<ref>{{cite web |title=Who's Who {{!}} Akola District {{!}} India |url=https://akola.gov.in/about-district/whos-who/}}</ref>
| leader_title2      = Municipal Commissioner
| leader_name2       = Kavita Dwiwedi (IAS)
| leader_title3      = Mayor
| leader_name3       = Archana Masne
| area_total_km2     = 124
| elevation_min_m    = 287
| elevation_max_m    = 324
| population_total   = 621,000 (Post-expansion of the city's municipal borders)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.census2011.co.in/census/city/348-akola.html#:~:text=The%20current%20estimate%20population%20of,based%20on%20past%20growth%20rate.|title=Akola Population Estimate|website=census2011.co.in|access-date=23 August 2024}}</ref>
| population_density_km2 = 4331
| population_rank    = IN: 84th<br>MH: 14th
| population_demonyms = Akolekar
| demographics_type1 = Language
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| demographics1_info1 = Marathi, Hindi and Urdu.
| timezone1          = IST
| utc_offset1        = +5:30
| postal_code_type   = PIN
| postal_code        = 444001, 444002, 444003, 444004, 444005, 444006, 444007, 444104, 444109, 444302
| area_code          = 0724<ref>{{cite web |title=STD and Pin Codes {{!}} Akola District {{!}} India |url=https://akola.gov.in/std-and-pin-codes/}}</ref>
| area_code_type     = Telephone code
| registration_plate = MH-30
| blank1_name_sec1   = Distance from [[Nagpur, Maharashtra|Nagpur]]
| blank1_info_sec1   = {{convert|278.7|km|mi}} ([[National highways of India|land]])
| blank2_name_sec1   = Distance from [[Mumbai]]
| blank2_info_sec1   = {{convert|565.2|km|mi}} ([[National highways of India|land]])
| blank3_name_sec2   = Literacy
| blank3_info_sec2   = 91.9%
| blank4_name_sec2   = Sex ratio
| blank4_info_sec2   = 0.958
| blank5_name_sec2   = Human Development Index
| blank5_info_sec2   = <span style="color:green">High</span><ref>{{cite web|website=maharashtra.gov.in|title=Economic survey of Maharashtra|url=https://www.maharashtra.gov.in/Site/upload/WhatsNew/Economic%20Survey%20of%20Maharashtra...pdf|access-date=30 April 2023}}</ref>
| blank6_name_sec2   = GDP
| blank6_info_sec2   = US$3.50 billion
| website            = {{URL|https://akola.gov.in}}
}}

'''Akola'''  ({{IPAc-en|ə|ˈ|k|oː|l|aː}}) is a major city in the [[Vidarbha]] region of the [[India]]n state of [[Maharashtra]]. With an estimated population of 6 lakhs, Akola is a growing metropolis surrounded by forts, and has the Morna River running through the center of the city. 

Akola is an important finacial city and  affiliated with [[Sant Gadge Baba Amravati University]]. Recently, it has become a hub of the couching classes preparing students for competitive exams like  [[NEET]] and [[JEE]] aspirational students come from all nearby villages and towns.  The city is developing into a market centre. The primary language spoken by the people of Akola is [[Varhadi Marathi language| Varhadi Marathi]] while English is used mostly in educational institutions and Hindi being a [[lingua franca]], including large number of Native [[Berar-Deccan Marathi|Berari]] a branch of [[Deccani language|Deccani]] language which is formally recognized as dialect of [[Urdu]] language.

== Etymology ==
The name "Akola" is believed to have originated from the Marathi word "Akol," which means "the end" or "the boundary." This term is thought to refer to the city's historical role as a boundary or administrative center in the region. According to local tradition, the city was named after Maharaja Akolsingh, who was an influential figure in the area.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Place Names of Maharashtra|author=V. S. Khandekar|year=2000|publisher=Marathi Vidnyan Parishad|page=45}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.maharashtra.gov.in/english/ecoSurvey/ataglanc.pdf|title=Economic Survey of Maharashtra|access-date=30 April 2023}}</ref>

==History==
=== Early medieval history (Classical) ===
Akola is mentioned to be a part of [[Berar Province|Berar province]] and the legendary kingdom of [[Vidarbha Kingdom|Vidarbha]] in the [[Sanskrit]] epic [[Mahabharata]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mahanbharat.net/geography/mahabharat-map|title=Mahabharat Map - Come, let us create a Mahan Bharat.|website=www.mahanbharat.net|accessdate=30 April 2023}}</ref>

=== Late medieval history ===
The period of [[Muslim rule of India|Muslim rule]] began when [[Alauddin Khalji]], [[Delhi Sultanate|Sultan of Delhi]], conquered the region in the early 14th century.<ref>{{Cite web |last=TheIndianTrip |title=Akola excursion Guide - India Information & Tips on Travel, Tourism & FAQs |url=https://theindiantrip.com/uk/akola-city/info |access-date=2025-03-02 |website=TheIndianTrip |language=English}}</ref> Subsequently, the region became part of the [[Bahmani Kingdom|Bahmani Sultanate]], which had seceded from the Delhi Sultanate in the mid-14th century. By the end of the 15th century, the Bahmani Sultanate fragmented into smaller kingdoms, and in 1572, Berar was incorporated into the Nizam Shahi Sultanate of Ahmednagar. The Nizam Shahis ceded Berar to the [[Mughal Empire]] in 1595, and the Mughals ruled the Berar province during the 17th century.<ref>{{Cite web |last=TheIndianTrip |title=Akola excursion Guide - India Information & Tips on Travel, Tourism & FAQs |url=https://theindiantrip.com/uk/akola-city/info |access-date=2025-03-02 |website=TheIndianTrip |language=English}}</ref> The Akola fort was heavily fortified during Mughal king [[Aurangzeb]]'s rule.<ref name="fof2">{{cite web|title=Friends of Forts|url=http://www.fortsofsahyadri.friendsofforts.com/list_of_maharashtraforts.htm|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090405125744/http://www.fortsofsahyadri.friendsofforts.com/list_of_maharashtraforts.htm|archive-date=5 April 2009|access-date=2009-02-04}}</ref> As Mughal rule started to unravel at the start of the 18th century, [[Qamar-ud-din Khan, Asif Jah I|Asif Jah I]], [[Nizam]] of [[Hyderabad State|Hyderabad]] seized the southern provinces of the empire (including Berar) in 1724 to form an independent state.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Berar {{!}} region, India|url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Berar|access-date=2020-08-06|website=Encyclopedia Britannica|language=en}}</ref>

=== Maratha Empire ===
The [[Battle of Argaon]] in 1803 was fought in Akola between the [[British East India|British]] and the Marathas during the [[Second Anglo-Maratha War]]. In the [[third Anglo-Maratha War]], the last Peshwa, [[Baji Rao II]], was defeated. In 1853, the Akola district together with the rest of Berar, came under the administration of the [[British East India Company]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Akola District Gazetteer, Mediaeval Period History |url=https://cultural.maharashtra.gov.in/english/gazetteer/AKOLA/his_mediaeval%20period.html |website=Maharashtra State Gazetteers, Akola District |access-date=24 July 2020}}</ref>

=== Post-independence ===
After [[Indian independence movement|India's independence]] in 1947 from the British Government, the newly formed country was divided into different states. The [[Indian National Congress|Congress]]'s proposed linguistic provinces plan before the Independence of India had positioned Akola as the headquarters of the Berar region.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.columbia.edu/itc/mealac/pritchett/00ambedkar/ambedkar_partition/101.html|title=101|access-date=19 September 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.columbia.edu/itc/mealac/pritchett/00ambedkar/ambedkar_partition/tables/101a.html|title=101a|access-date=19 September 2014}}</ref>

== Geography ==

Akola is located on the banks of the Morna River in the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra, India. It is situated approximately {{convert|580|km|mi|abbr=on}} east of Mumbai and {{convert|250|km|mi|abbr=on}} west of Nagpur. The city lies in the Tapti River valley, which contributes to its significance as a commercial and agricultural hub. Akola also serves as an important road and rail junction.

=== Climate ===

Akola experiences a [[tropical wet and dry climate]], characterized by high temperatures and significant variations in rainfall throughout the year. The climate includes hot, dry summers, a monsoon season with substantial rainfall, and relatively mild winters.

The highest and lowest temperatures ever recorded were 47.8&nbsp;°C and 2.2&nbsp;°C, respectively.

{{Weather box
| location = Akola (1991–2020, extremes 1901–2024)
| metric first = yes
| single line = yes
| width = auto
| Jan record high C = 38.2
| Feb record high C = 40.5
| Mar record high C = 44.4
| Apr record high C = 47.0
| May record high C = 47.8
| Jun record high C = 47.2
| Jul record high C = 40.6
| Aug record high C = 40.0
| Sep record high C = 40.0
| Oct record high C = 40.0
| Nov record high C = 38.9
| Dec record high C = 36.7
| year record high C = 47.8
| Jan high C = 30.0
| Feb high C = 33.2
| Mar high C = 37.4
| Apr high C = 41.0
| May high C = 42.4
| Jun high C = 37.5
| Jul high C = 32.2
| Aug high C = 30.8
| Sep high C = 32.3
| Oct high C = 33.8
| Nov high C = 32.4
| Dec high C = 30.7
| year high C = 34.5
|Jan mean C = 21.9
|Feb mean C = 24.9
|Mar mean C = 28.7
|Apr mean C = 33.0
|May mean C = 35.3
|Jun mean C = 31.9
|Jul mean C = 28.3
|Aug mean C = 27.3
|Sep mean C = 27.8
|Oct mean C = 27.4
|Nov mean C = 24.8
|Dec mean C = 22.1
| Jan low C = 13.7
| Feb low C = 16.3
| Mar low C = 20.1
| Apr low C = 24.7
| May low C = 28.0
| Jun low C = 26.4
| Jul low C = 24.5
| Aug low C = 23.7
| Sep low C = 23.3
| Oct low C = 20.8
| Nov low C = 17.1
| Dec low C = 13.5
| year low C = 21.0
| Jan record low C = 3.9
| Feb record low C = 2.2
| Mar record low C = 5.6
| Apr record low C = 11.1
| May record low C = 11.9
| Jun record low C = 19.8
| Jul record low C = 20.0
| Aug record low C = 18.3
| Sep record low C = 15.4
| Oct record low C = 10.0
| Nov record low C = 5.6
| Dec record low C = 3.9
| year record low C = 2.2
| rain colour = green
| Jan rain mm = 10.6
| Feb rain mm = 5.5
| Mar rain mm = 14.2
| Apr rain mm = 4.2
| May rain mm = 10.1
| Jun rain mm = 146.8
| Jul rain mm = 215.0
| Aug rain mm = 181.8
| Sep rain mm = 137.7
| Oct rain mm = 42.5
| Nov rain mm = 11.8
| Dec rain mm = 3.1
| year rain mm = 783.4
| Jan rain days = 0.8
| Feb rain days = 0.5
| Mar rain days = 1.3
| Apr rain days = 0.6
| May rain days = 1.0
| Jun rain days = 7.4
| Jul rain days = 12.4
| Aug rain days = 9.9
| Sep rain days = 7.0
| Oct rain days = 2.8
| Nov rain days = 1.1
| Dec rain days = 0.2
| year rain days = 44.9
| time day = 17:30 [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| Jan humidity = 37
| Feb humidity = 27
| Mar humidity = 23
| Apr humidity = 19
| May humidity = 21
| Jun humidity = 46
| Jul humidity = 67
| Aug humidity = 72
| Sep humidity = 65
| Oct humidity = 47
| Nov humidity = 45
| Dec humidity = 41
| year humidity = 42
| source 1 = [[India Meteorological Department]],<ref>{{cite web
| url = https://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/Climatological%20Tables%201991-2020.pdf
| title = Climatological Tables of Observatories in India 1991-2020
| publisher = [[India Meteorological Department]]
| access-date = April 8, 2024
}}</ref> Tokyo Climate Center (mean temperatures 1991–2020)<ref name=TCC1>
{{cite web
| url = https://ds.data.jma.go.jp/gmd/tcc/tcc/products/climate/normal/parts/NrmMonth_e.php?stn=42933
| title = Normals Data: Daltonganj – India Latitude: 20.70°N Longitude: 77.03°E Height: 281 (m)
| publisher = Japan Meteorological Agency
| access-date = 1 December 2022}}</ref>
| source 2 = Government of Maharashtra
| date = August 2024
}}Akola has been ranked 34th best “National Clean Air City” under (Category 2 3-10L Population cities) in India.<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 September 2024 |title=Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan 2024 |url=https://prana.cpcb.gov.in/ncapServices/robust/fetchFilesFromDrive/Swachh_Vayu_Survekshan_2024_Result.pdf |website=Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan 2024}}</ref>

==Demographics==

{{Historical population
    | source = [[Census of India]]<ref name="Mahapopulation">{{Cite web |url=http://www.maharashtra.gov.in/english/ecoSurvey/ataglanc.pdf |title=Mahapopulation |website=Census of India |publisher=maharashtra.gov.in |language=mr |access-date=2008-06-04 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090303204222/http://www.maharashtra.gov.in/english/ecoSurvey/ataglanc.pdf |archive-date=3 March 2009}}</ref>
    | 1981 | 225,412
    | 1991 | 328,043
    | 2001 | 400,520
    | 2011 | 427,146
|align = center
    }}

{{bar box
    |title=Religion in Akola City (2011)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census2011.co.in/census/city/348-akola.html|title=Akola Population 2011|publisher=census2011}}</ref>
    |titlebar=#Fcd116
    |left1=Religion
    |right1=Percent
    |float=left
    |bars=
    {{bar percent|[[Hinduism in Maharashtra|Hinduism]]|darkorange|54.93}}
    {{bar percent|[[Islam in Maharashtra|Islam]]|green|29.93}}
    {{bar percent|[[Marathi Buddhists|Buddhism]]|mediumblue|12.91}}
    {{bar percent|[[Jainism in Maharashtra|Jainism]]|pink|1.46}}
    {{bar percent|[[Christianity in Maharashtra|Christianity]]|dodgerblue|0.42}}
    {{bar percent|Other or not stated|black|0.34}}
}}

According to the [[2011 Census of India]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040616075334/http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999|archive-date=2004-06-16|title= Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)|access-date=2008-11-01|publisher= Census Commission of India}}</ref> Akola City had a population of 425,817 and an area of about {{Convert|128|km2|mi2|abbr=}}. After the city's municipal limits were extended in August 2016, the estimated population of Akola city is above 603,000. The population estimate for the Akola metropolitan area is currently not available. The most recent census, conducted in 2011, recorded a population of [last known census figure]. The scheduled 2021 census for Akola city was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Current estimates are based on historical growth rates.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census2011.co.in/census/city/348-akola.html#:~:text=The%20current%20estimate%20population%20of,based%20on%20past%20growth%20rate.|title=Akola Population Estimate|website=census2011.co.in|access-date=23 August 2024}}</ref>

{{Pie chart
|thumb = left
|caption = Language in Akola M. Corp (2011)<ref name="Language">{{cite web |title=Table C-16 Population by Mother Tongue: Maharashtra (Town level) |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/10253/download/13365/DDW-C16-TOWN-STMT-MDDS-2700.XLSX |website=censusindia.gov.in|publisher=[[Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India]]}}</ref>
|label1 = [[Marathi language|Marathi]] |value1 = 51.44 |color1 = red
|label2 = [[Urdu]] |value2 = 26.11 |color2 = green
|label3 = [[Hindi]] |value3 = 13.17 |color3 = orange
|label4 = [[Marwari language|Marwari]] |value4 = 2.81 |color4 = maroon
|label5 = [[Sindhi language|Sindhi]] |value5 = 2.78 |color5 = limegreen
|label6 = [[Gujarati language|Gujarati]] |value6 = 1.85 |color6 = skyblue
|other = y |other-label = Others |other-color = grey
}}

== Government and politics ==

{{Main|Akola Municipal Corporation}}

The local government of Akola is administered by the [[Akola Municipal Corporation]], which operates under a Mayor-Council system. The Mayor, assisted by a Deputy Mayor, heads the corporation, with elections occurring every five years.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://akola.gov.in/municipal-corporation|title=Akola Municipal Corporation Official Website|website=akola.gov.in|access-date=23 August 2024}}</ref> The corporation was established on 1 July 1967 and governs an area of approximately 124&nbsp;km².<ref>{{cite web|url=https://akola.gov.in/about-district|title=Akola District Overview|website=akola.gov.in|access-date=23 August 2024}}</ref>

The city's administrative functions are managed by a [[District magistrate|District Collector]]. As of the latest update, Ajit Kumbhar (IAS) serves in this role.<ref>{{cite web|title=District Collector Profile|url=https://akola.gov.in/about-district/whos-who/|website=akola.gov.in|access-date=23 August 2024}}</ref> The Municipal Commissioner, currently Dr.Sunil Lahane, is responsible for overseeing the executive functions of the Akola Municipal Corporation.<ref>{{cite web|title=Municipal Commissioner Profile|url=https://akola.gov.in/about-district/whos-who/|website=akola.gov.in|access-date=23 August 2024}}</ref> The Mayor, Archana Masne, oversees the implementation of policies and administrative functions within the Akola Municipal Corporation.<ref>{{cite web|title=Mayor Profile|url=https://akola.gov.in/about-district/whos-who/|website=akola.gov.in|access-date=23 August 2024}}</ref>
Additionally, Akola has a range of local administrative services and multiple police stations operating under the jurisdiction of the Akola Police.<ref>{{cite web|title=Akola Police|url=http://akolapolice.gov.in/home#section2|website=akolapolice.gov.in|access-date=23 August 2024|archive-date=25 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200125140608/http://akolapolice.gov.in/home#section2|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Governance==

=== Police administration ===
{{More citations needed section|date=November 2020}}
Akola Police maintains eight police stations in the Akola city subdivision that cover the metropolitan area of the city.<ref>{{cite web|title=Akola Police|url=http://akolapolice.gov.in/home#section2|website=akolapolice.gov.in|access-date=22 June 2018|archive-date=25 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200125140608/http://akolapolice.gov.in/home#section2|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The government also approved the creation of a new Railway Police Akola subdivision that will include Akola, Wardha, and Badnera railway police units. The Akola Police subdivision falls under the Nagpur District of Railway.<ref>{{cite web|date=13 November 2020|title=Akola Railway Police|url=https://www.nagpurrailwaypolice.gov.in/en/jurisdiction-nagpur-railway-police|access-date=13 November 2020|archive-date=20 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020010215/https://www.nagpurrailwaypolice.gov.in/en/jurisdiction-nagpur-railway-police|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Education==

{{See also|List of schools in Akola}}

== Notable people ==
* [[Vasantrao Deshpande]]
* [[Anand Modak]]
* [[Vijay P. Bhatkar]]
* [[Patrick Barr]]
*[[Hasnain Aaqib]]
* [[Vitthal Wagh]]
* [[Sudharak Olwe]]
* [[Shivdeep Lande]]https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Akola&action=edit&section=14
*[[Ranjit Patil]]
*[[Sanjay Shamrao Dhotre]]
*[[T. S. Korde]]
*[[Vallabhdas Aidan Mohta]]
*[[Mahesh Kakde]]
*[[Swaminathan Aiyar]]
*[[Dr.Nitin Oke]]

==See also==
* [[Akola railway station]]
* [[Akola Airport]]
* [[Vidarbha]]
* [[Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth]]
* [[Varhadi|Varhadi language]]
* [[List of cities in Maharashtra]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{Official website|http://akola.nic.in/ }}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120426061802/http://bharatkrushaksamajmah.org/team.html Bharat Krushak Samaj]
* [https://paarivahan.com/maharashtra/akola-mh30 Akola Regional Transport Office]

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Akola
|North     = [[AKOT]]
|Northeast = [[Daryapur]], [[Amravati district]]
|East      = [[Murtizapur]]
|Southeast = [[Barshitakli]]
|South     = [[Patur]]
|Southwest =
|West      = [[Balapur, Akola district|Balapur]]
|Northwest = [[Telhara]], [[Shegaon]]
}}
{{Akola district}}
{{vidarbha}}
{{Maharashtra}}

[[Category:Akola| ]]
[[Category:Akola district]]
[[Category:Talukas in Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Cities in Maharashtra]]