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{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2017}}
{{Use Indian English|date=April 2017}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Bhokardan
| other_name =
| settlement_type = City
| image_skyline =
| image_alt =
| image_caption =
| nickname =
| pushpin_map = India Maharashtra#India3
| pushpin_relief = yes
| pushpin_label_position = right
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Maharashtra, India
| coordinates = {{coord|20.253|N|75.769|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Maharashtra]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Jalna district|Jalna]]
| established_title = 
| established_date =
| founder =
| named_for = King Bhogvardhan
| government_type =
| governing_body =[[Municipal Council]]
|leader_title = [[President (government title)#Sub-national|President]]
|leader_name =Vacant
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_footnotes =
| area_total_km2 =
| area_rank =
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m = 587
| population_total =311303<ref>{{citation |title=Census of India 2011 |year=2011 |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/798#metadata-description |access-date=2025-02-06 |url-status=live |website=Census Digital Library |author=Directorate of Census Operations, Maharashtra |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241218235947/https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/798#metadata-description |archive-date=2024-12-18}}</ref>
| population_as_of = 2011
| population_footnotes =
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_rank =
| demographics_type1 = Languages
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| postal_code_type = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
| postal_code =431114
| registration_plate = MH-21
| website =
| footnotes =
| demographics1_info1 = [[Marathi language|Marathi]]
}}
'''Bhokardan''' is a metropolis in the [[India]]n state of [[Maharashtra]] and is one the oldest cities in India. Bhokardan was a part of the [[Hyderabad State]] until it joined India in 1948 as part of the [[Annexation of Hyderabad]]. In 1960, it became a part of the newly formed state of Maharashtra from the bilingual Bombay state. The ruins of the old fortifications are still visible around the city; the area of the old fort now houses tehsil offices. Bhokardan has been identified by modern historians as the capital of an ancient district raja Bhogavardhan.

==Etymology==
According to legends, the name Bhokardan is derived from the name of king Bhogvardhan or Bhagdnath, who ruled this city in ancient time. Local legends consider this to be a capital city of Bhoumasura, a mythological demon, who was killed by Hindu god [[Srikrishna|Shri Krishna]].<ref name = "MVKS">{{cite encyclopedia
| title =भोकरदन
| encyclopedia =मराठी विश्वकोश (Marathi encyclopedia)
| volume =12
| publisher =महाराष्ट्र राज्य मराठी विश्वकोश निर्मिती मंडळ
|location = Mumbai
| access-date = 15 July 2013
| url = http://www.marathivishwakosh.in/khandas/khand12/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=10188
| author= Degulkar, G.B.}}</ref>

==History==
Bhokardan is situated on the bank of Kelana river. Bhokardan has been identified by the modern historians with the ancient city of Bhogavardhana. One of the earliest references of Bhokardan is found in [[Markandeya Purana]], where it is described as a prosperous trading city in [[Dandakaranya]] area, located on the trade route from [[Ujjain|Ujjayini]], in central India to [[Paithan|Prathishthana]], then capital city of [[Satavahana]]s. Similar, references were also found in various other ancient literature.<ref name = "MVKS"/> In earlier period Bhokardan was a [[Janapada]], which later got status of an independent region. Bhokardan was the third richest city in [[Satavahana dynasty|Satavahana period]] after Prathishthana and [[Ter, Maharashtra|Ter]]. The inscription records at [[stupa]]s of [[Bharhut]] and [[Sanchi]], mention receiving donations from inhabitants of this city for their construction. There is a reference in an article from 593 AD that, the king of [[Mahishmati]], Raja Shankargan, of [[Kalachuris of Mahishmati|Kalachuri]] dynasty, has donated some land to a Brahmin in Bhogvardan region.<ref name = "MVKS"/> However, the history of this place in the Middle Ages is not known. In later period of [[Peshwas]] rule, this city came under control of the [[Nizam of Hyderabad]]. Bhokardan was part of Hyderabad State until its annexation into the Indian Union in 1948. In 1960, it became a part of newly form state of Maharashtra from bilingual [[Bombay state]]. The ruins of old fortification are still visible around the city; the old fort area now houses the Tehsil office.

Excavation at Bhokardan: An ancient site comprising two mounds, about 70 ft high, was discovered by M. N. Deshpande near Bhokardan in 1958.<ref>{{cite book|editor-last=Ghosh|editor-first=A. |title=Indian Archaeology - A Review 1958-59|year=1959|publisher=Department of Archaeology, Government of India|pages=68–9}}</ref> Subsequently, a joint evacuation was carried away by a combined team of [[Nagpur University]] and [[Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University|Marathwada University]], in 1973–74, during this evacuation two periods of occupation were identified:<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://marathivishwakosh.org/3108/|title=भोकरदन Bhokardan (Bhogvardhan)|date=2019-02-05|website=मराठी विश्वकोश|language=mr-IN|access-date=2019-12-18}}</ref>

* Period I
** Period Ia - early [[Satavahana]] period
** Period Ib - late Satavahana period
* Period II post Satavahana period.
During the excavations, traces of foundations, brick walls, floors, post-holes, fallen roofs and a ring well were discovered. The artifacts found from the site included punch-marked coins, copper coins of the Satavahanas and the Kshatrapas; a few [[terracotta]] bullae with legends in Greek; coin moulds and seals. About 2000 beads made of terracotta, glass, shell and semi-precious stones were also found. A large number of terracotta, iron, copper and ivory objects were found from the site.<ref name=singh>{{cite book|last=Singh|first=Upinder|title=A History of Ancient and Early Medieval India: From the Stone Age to the 12th Century|year=2008|publisher=Pearson Education|location=Delhi|isbn=978-81-317-1677-9|page=398}}</ref> The other important items found at site compromised: scores of human and animal figurines; ivory and shell bangles; terracotta ear ornaments; saddle querns with Buddhist symbols and burnt grains which compromised wheat, Jowar, gram, ber and rice.

[[File:Statuetta indiana di Lakshmi, avorio, da pompei, 1-50 dc ca., 149425, 02.JPG|thumb|upright|The [[Pompeii Lakshmi]] [[ivory carving|ivory statuette]] (1st century CE) found in the ruins of [[Pompeii]] in Italy is thought to have originated in Bhokardan.<ref>State Intervention and Popular Response: Western India in the Nineteenth Century, Mariam Dossal, Ruby Maloni, Popular Prakashan, 1999, p.46 [https://books.google.com/books?id=t7f0JEWk6HMC&pg=PA46]</ref>]]
However, the most exquisite of all the find was the lower half of an ivory female figurine, carved in the round with two female attendants. It is reminiscent of the ivory statue of Hindu goddess found at ancient Roman town-city [[Pompeii]] near modern Naples in the Italy, which was destroyed and buried under ash and pumice in the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. Numbers of scholars have argued that the ivory statue of Pompeii had its origin at Bhokardan, which found its way either through ancient caravan based [[silk route]] or via ship based [[spice route]] to Pompeii in the first century AD.<ref>{{cite book | title=State Intervention and Popular Response: Western India at the nineteenth century| author=Mariam Dossal and Ruby Maloni| pages=220| publisher=Popular Prakashan private Ltd.}}</ref> Similar ivory objects were also found at Ter. This statues serves as a testimonial of trade relationships of the ancient world.

During Satavahanas' period Bhokardan was a center for ivory artifacts, which were traded for other items. After the decline of the Satavahanas, Bhokardan lost its importance as a major trade center, leading to its downfall.<ref name = "MVKS"/> It seems to have been re-occupied only in medieval period.

The ivory female statue and number of other artifacts which were found during excavation are now preserved and displayed at the history museum, of department of History & Ancient Indian Culture, of [[Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University]], Aurangabad.

==Geography==
Bhokardan is located at {{Coord|20.27|N|75.77|E|}}.<ref>[http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/16/Bhokardan.html Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Bhokardan]</ref> It has an average elevation of 587 metres (1925 feet). The old city lies on small hills on the south bank of Kelana river. Over the last few decades, city has expanded and continue to grow southwards, towards the road to [[Jalna, Maharashtra|Jalna]].

==Demographics==
{{As of|2018}} India [[census]],<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.census2011.co.in/data/town/802759-bhokardan-maharashtra.html | title=Bhokardan Municipal Council City Population Census 2011-2022 | Maharashtra }}</ref> Bhokardan had a population of 70,416. Males constitute 35751 of the population and females 34665. The population of children aged 0-6 is 3767 which is 15.43% of total population of Bhokardan (M Cl). The female sex ratio is 915 against state average of 929. Moreover, the child sex ratio in Bhokardan is around 859 compared to Maharashtra state average of 894. The literacy rate of Bhokardan city is 81.96% lower than state average of 82.34%. In Bhokardan, male literacy is around 88.66% while the female literacy rate is 74.72%.
{{bar box
|title=Religions in Bhokardan
|titlebar=#Fcd116
|left1=Religion
|right1=Percent
|float=right
|bars=
{{bar percent|[[Hindus]]|orange|49.95}}
{{bar percent|[[Muslims]]|green|43.13}}
{{bar percent|[[Buddhists]]|red|5.43}}
{{bar percent|[[Christians]]|blue|0.10}}
{{bar percent|[[Jainism|Jains]]|pink|1.20}}
{{bar percent|Not Stated†|black|0.15}}
|caption=Distribution of religions<br />
†<small>Includes [[Sikh]]s (0.04%), [[Buddhism|Buddhists]] (<0.2%).</small>
}}

== Government ==
{{main|Bhokardan (Vidhan Sabha constituency)}}

Bhokardan (constituency number 103) is one of the five [[Vidhan Sabha]] constituencies located in [[Jalna district]] and is the seat for the [[Member of the Legislative Assembly (India)|Member of the legislative assembly]]. It covers the entire [[Jafrabad, Jalna|Jafrabad]] [[taluka]] and part of Bhokardan tehsil of this district. Current MLA for Bhokardan constituency is [[Santosh Danve]] of [[Bharatiya Janata Party|Bhartiya Janta Party]], son of [[Raosaheb Danve]].

Bhokardan is part of [[Jalna (Lok Sabha constituency)|Jalna Lok Sabha Constituency]].

== Economy==
Weekly market of Bhokardan is on Saturday of every week .

== Gallery ==
<gallery>
Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar's statue in Sulanli village, Maharashtra.jpg|Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar's statue in Bhokardan
Vikas_Borde.jpg|Technology seminar for students in Bhokardan
</gallery>

==See also==
* [[Bhokardan (Vidhan Sabha constituency)]]

* [[Bhokardan Caves]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
* Deo, S. B. and R. S. Gupte (eds.) (1974). ''Excavations at Bhokardan (Bhogavardhana)'', Nagpur: Nagpur University

{{Jalna district topics}}

[[Category:Cities and towns in Jalna district]]
[[Category:Talukas in Maharashtra]]

Bhokardan - Revision history

Sovrenn at 11:12, 6 May 2026