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{{Short description|Town in Maharashtra, India}}
{{Lead too short|date=October 2025}}
{{use Indian English|date=February 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Ichalkaranji
| settlement_type = City
| nickname = The Textile Hub,
Manchester of Maharashtra
| image_skyline = Rajwada.jpg
| image_alt = Ichalkaranji
| image_caption = Ichalkaranji Palace (Rajwada) - DKTE's TEI
| pushpin_map = #Maharashtra #India
| pushpin_label_position = right
| pushpin_relief = y
| mapframe = Yes
| pushpin_map_alt = Ichalkaranji city
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in [[Maharashtra]], [[India]]
| coordinates = {{coord|16.7|N|74.47|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 = [[Kolhapur district|Kolhapur]]
| established_title = 
| established_date =
| founder =
| named_for =
| government_type = [[Municipal Corporation]]
| governing_body = [[Ichalkaranji Municipal Corporation]]
| leader_title = ------
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_footnotes =
| area_total_km2 = 49.84
| area_rank =
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m = 539
| population_total = 287,570
| population_as_of = 2011
| population_footnotes =
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_rank = 151
| population_demonym =
| demographics_type1 = Languages
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| demographics1_info1 = [[Marathi language|Marathi]]
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| postal_code_type = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
| postal_code = 416115/16/17
| area_code = 0230
| area_code_type = Telephone code
| registration_plate = MH-09, MH-51
| footnotes =
| blank3_name_sec1 = [[Lok Sabha]] constituency
| blank3_info_sec1 = [[Hatkanangale (Lok Sabha constituency)|Hatkanangale]]
| blank4_name_sec1 = [[Vidhan Sabha]] constituency
| blank4_info_sec1 = [[Ichalkaranji Assembly constituency|Ichalkaranji]]
| blank5_name_sec1 = Civic agency
| blank5_info_sec1 = [[Ichalkaranji Municipal Corporation]]
| official_name =
| blank_name_sec1 = Website
| blank_info_sec1 = [https://ichalkaranjimnp.in/ Ichalkaranji Municipal Corporation]
}}

'''Ichalkaranji''' ({{audio|Ichalkaranji.ogg|pronunciation}}[[Help:IPA/Marathi|[it͡səlkəɾəɳd͡ʒiː]]]) is a city located in the [[Kolhapur district]] of [[Maharashtra]], [[India]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Info |first=Travelo |date=2025-02-28 |title=Ichalkaranji, Maharashtra city Guide: Where To Go, Stay, Eat, And shop in India’s best city {{!}} TraveloInfo [Updated-2025] |url=https://traveloinfo.com/ichalkaranji-maharashtra-tour-guide/ |access-date=2026-01-01 |website=Travelo Info |language=en-US}}</ref> known for its prominent textile and engineering industries. Often referred to as the “Manchester of Maharashtra,”<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ichalkaranji, India - all you need to know |url=https://www.citities.com/City/IN/Ichalkaranji |access-date=2026-01-01 |website=www.citities.com |language=en}}</ref> the city is one of the country’s leading centres for grey fabric production and hosts a dense network of [[power loom]]s, processing units, and garment manufacturers. Ichalkaranji has experienced rapid industrial growth since the mid‑20th century,<ref>{{Cite web |title=About Ichalkaranji, DKASC College, Ichalkaranji |url=https://www.dkasc.ac.in/About%20Ichalkaranji |access-date=2026-01-01 |website=www.dkasc.ac.in}}</ref> evolving from a small princely town into a major economic hub with strong cooperative and entrepreneurial traditions.

==History==
The history of Ichalkaranji is described in [[iarchive:StoryOfIchalkaranji|''The Story of Ichalkaranji'']] (1929) by English historian Horace George Franks. He notes that the city experienced frequent political unrest and women of the ruling [[House of Ichalkaranji]] actively participated in state affairs with influence comparable to men. A prominent example is Anubai, wife of Venkat Rao.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ichalkaranji {{!}} Royal Ghorpade Dynasty Archive |url=https://www.rgda.uk/ichalkaranji |access-date=2025-09-24 |website=RoyalGhorpadeArchive |language=en}}</ref>

In 1892, Shrimant [[Narayan Rao]] Babasaheb became the eighth ruler of the House of Ichalkaranji. As a ruler, he is known for implementing modernizing reforms across all governed areas.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About Ichalkaranji, DKASC College, Ichalkaranji |url=https://www.dkasc.ac.in/About%20Ichalkaranji |access-date=2025-09-24 |website=www.dkasc.ac.in}}</ref> Narayan Rao was well educated, with particular attention given to subjects that would help him navigate the complexities of administration. He also travelled extensively throughout the [[Indian subcontinent|Indian Subcontinent]] and [[Southeast Asia]], visiting [[Java]], the [[Malay Peninsula]], [[Sri Lanka|Ceylon]] (now Sri Lanka), and [[Myanmar|Burma]]. He also made 3 journeys to [[England]] and mainland [[Europe]].

Narayan Rao Babasaheb was widely regarded as a patron of culture and an enlightened leader.<ref>{{cite book |last=Goheen |first=John L. |title=Glimpses of Ichalkaranji |publisher=J L Goheen |page=41}}</ref> Narayan Rao actively encouraged the study of art and [[Indian classical music]], as well as providing financial support for art exhibitions in [[Pune]] and [[Mumbai]]. His interest in nurturing artistic talent would also lead to his endowment of scholarships at several art colleges in [[Maharashtra]] and students pursuing professional studies abroad.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Shri Venkatesh Mahavidyalaya,Ichalkaranji |url=https://www.venkateshcollege.com/society.php#:~:text=In%201892%20Shrimant%20Narayanrao%20Babasaheb,town%20in%20every%20possible%20way. |access-date=2025-07-16 |website=www.venkateshcollege.com}}</ref>

During the reign of Narayan Rao, Ichalkaranji grew into a thriving [[Industrial city|industrial town]].<ref>{{cite book |title=The Times of India directory and yearbook including who's who}}</ref> Narayan Rao's economic reforms fostered the growth of a large [[textile industry]], noted for its decentralized and cooperative organization. Throughout his reign, Narayan Rao provided [[Subsidy|subsidies]] and free land to weavers and other promising businessmen. In 1904, Narayan Rao encouraged Vitthalrao Datar, a young [[entrepreneur]] from Ichalkaranji, to install a [[power loom]]. One of Narayan Rao's European journeys took him to [[Denmark]], where he observed the country's thriving [[co-operative|cooperative]] business sector and was impressed with its success. Upon his return to India, he sought to implement the principles of European [[cooperative ownership]] in order to modernize the [[Economy of India|economy]] of his realm.

==Geography and climate==
{{climate chart
|Ichalkaranji
|12|29|2.8
|14|32|2.1
|19|36|3.3
|22|38|3.5
|25|38|24.4
|24|34|114.2
|22|30|115.6
|21|29|119.6
|21|30|121.6
|19|32|60.8
|15|30|10.7
|12|28|6.5
|source=[http://weather.msn.com/monthly_averages.aspx?wealocations=wc:7902289&weadegreetype=C,+IND+forecast:averagesm&setunit=C MSN Weather]
|float=right
|clear=left
}}

Ichalkaranji is located at {{Coord|16.7|N|74.47|E}}.<ref>{{cite web |title=Maps, Weather, and Airports for Ichalkaranji, India |url=http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/16/Ichalkaranji.html |access-date=2016-10-29 |website=Fallingrain}}</ref> It has an average elevation of {{convert|538|m|ft}}.

Ichalkaranji and other cities in the region receive substantial rainfall in the summer months. This is attributed to the [[Western Ghats]], which separates the [[Deccan Plateau]] from the Western coast of India.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Zhang |first1=G. |last2=Smith |first2=R. B. |date=December 2016 |title=Impacts of the Western Ghats on Regional Precipitation in the Summer Monsoon |url=https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2016AGUFM.A53A0259Z/abstract |journal=AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts |language=en |volume=2016 |pages=A53A–0259 |bibcode=2016AGUFM.A53A0259Z }}</ref>

Ichalkaranji (Hatkanangale T.; 16° 40' N; 74° 25' E; p.27,423; 8.7 square miles), lies in the Panchganga Valley about {{convert|18|mi|km|spell=in}} east of [[Kolhapur]] and half a mile north of the river. It is {{convert|6|mi|km|spell=in}} southeast of [[Hatkanangale railway station]]. The town consists of seven [[Hamlet (place)|hamlets]].

{| class="wikitable collapsible autocollapse"
|-
! City Summary
! Numbers
|-
| City Area
| 29.84km2
|-
| Total Length of roads in City
| 421.78 K.M.
|-
| Number of IMC Gardens
| 5
|-
| Number of IMC Cultural Centers
| 7
|-
| Air-conditioned Drama Theatre
| 2
|-
| Number of IMC Vegetable Markets
| 3
|-
| Post Offices
| 5
|-
| Telephone Exchange
| 4
|-
| Police station
| 3
|-
| Electrical Sub Station
| 5
|-
| Total Hospitals in IMC area
| 197
|-
| Blood Banks
| 3
|-
| Number of IMC Swmming Pool
| 2
|-
| Sports Stadium
| 2
|-
| Wrestling ground with Stadium
| 1
|-
| IMC Yoga and Gymnasium Center
| 1
|-
| Number of IMC Bio-Medical West Centers
| 3
|-
| Number of IMC Slaughter House
| 1
|-
| Number of IMC Water storage reservoirs
| 9
|-
| Number of IMC water treatment plant
| 2
|-
| Total Number of IMC Buildings
| 75
|-
| Cinema Hall
| 16
|-
| Marriage Hall
| 35
|-
| Total numbers of Spinning Mills
| 11
|-
| Total number of Yarn Sizing Units
| 150
|-
| Number of High-Schools
| 57
|-
| International Schools
| 3
|-
| Number of Colleges
| 13
|-
| Engineering College
| 3
|}

==Administration==
{{Unreferenced section|date=August 2025}}

The civil administration of the city is managed by the Ichalkaranji Municipal Corporation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About Corporation – Ichalkaranji Municipal Corporation |url=https://ichalkaranjimnp.in/about-corporation/#:~:text=The%20civic%20administration%20of%20the,a%20municipal%20council%20in%201904.&text=Ichalkaranji%20is%20located%20at%2016.7,538%20metres%20(1768%20ft). |access-date=2025-05-07 |language=en-US}}</ref> The municipality oversees engineering works, health, sanitation, water supply, administration, and taxation in the city. The corporation is led by a Municipal President who is assisted by a Municipal Chief Officer and members of the council. The city is divided into 65 wards, with each council member (also known as councilor) serving terms of five years. The citizens directly elect the Municipal President. The Municipal Chief Officer presides over the Municipal Council. Its activities include developing new layouts and roads, town planning, and land acquisition. The city's [[Electrical grid|power grid]] is managed by the [[Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited]] (MAHADISCOM).

The citizens of Ichalkaranji elect one representative to the [[Maharashtra Vidhan Sabha]] (state council) to represent the constituency of Ichalkaranji. Regional representatives (MLA) to the state council themselves play a role in the civil administration. On July 18, 2010 representative [[Suresh Ganpati Halvankar]] installed 21 letterboxes in the city in response to numerous complaints and suggestions from the public. In November 2019, the citizens of Ichalkaranji elected Prakash Awade as their MLA. Ichalkaranji city, being a part of the larger [[Hatkanangle Lok Sabha constituency|Hatkanangale Lok Sabha constituency]], also elects one member (MP) to the [[Lok Sabha]], the lower house of the [[Parliament of India|Indian Parliament]]. From 2009 to 2019, [[Raju Shetti]] served as MP. Following the [[2019 Indian general election|General Election of 2019]], [[Dhairyasheel Sambhajirao Mane|Dhairyasheel Sambhaji Rao Mane]] from the [[List of political parties in India|party]] [[Shiv Sena (1966–2022)|Shiv Sena]] has served as MP.

Politics in the city are dominated by three political parties: the [[Indian National Congress]] (INC), the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] (BJP), and the [[Nationalist Congress Party]] (NCP). The city is on the brink of a public health and environmental emergency.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/City-plans-to-go-clean-seeks-central-funds/articleshow/6238864.cms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103045623/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-07-31/pune/28290877_1_sewage-treatment-cleanliness-healthy-city |url-status=live |archive-date=2012-11-03 |title=City plans to go clean, seeks central funds |date=2010-07-31 |website=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=2016-10-29}}</ref>{{Obsolete source|date=February 2025}}

==Demographics==
As per provisional [[Census of India|Census]] reports, the population of Ichalkaranji in 2011 was 287,570; 149,691 male residents and 137,879 female residents respectively. Ichalkaranji has an average [[Literacy Rate]] of 85.98%,<ref name="2011 Census">{{cite web |title=Ichalkaranji (M Cl) |url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/pca/SearchDetails.aspx?Id=640455 |website=[[2011 Census of India]] |publisher=[[Government of India]] |access-date=9 October 2017 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20171009170414/http://www.censusindia.gov.in/pca/SearchDetails.aspx?Id=640455 |archive-date=9 October 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref> higher than the national average of 59.5%. Male literacy is 91%, while female literacy is 66%. 13% of the population is under 6 years of age. According to the 2011 census estimate, Ichalkaranji is the [[List of most populous cities in India|151st most populous city in India]].

The city's population as shown above excludes newly developed industrial and residential areas, villages that have been annexed by Ichalkaranji (known as part of the city) but have gram panchayat such as [[Kabnur]], Yadrao, and [[Korochi]] etc. Village [[Shahapur, Ichalkaranji]] was included in Ichalkaranji Municipal Council in 1985. With these areas included, the population is 325,709 of which 169,870 are males and 155,839 are females.<ref>{{cite web |date=2010-08-20 |title=Letterbox still the lifeline in textile town – DNA – English News & Features – Top News – dnasyndication.com |url=http://3dsyndication.com/showarticle.aspx?nid=DNPUN30104 |access-date=2016-10-29 |website=3dsyndication |archive-date=10 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110810202114/http://3dsyndication.com/showarticle.aspx?nid=DNPUN30104 |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Marathi language|Marathi]] is the official and most spoken language, but [[Kannada]] is also spoken natively owing to history of the region. Other spoken languages are [[Hindi]], [[Bhojpuri language|Bhojpuri]], [[English language|English]] and [[Urdu]].

==Business and economy==
Considering the {{INR}} 150 billion sales of textile products and nominal 20% net profit and 257,572 Population of the city, [[per capita income]] of Ichalkaranji is ₹ {{formatnum:416472}}.{{Original research inline|date=February 2025}}{{citation needed|date=May 2014}} Ichalkaranji also ranks among cities with high ownership rates of consumer products such as home appliances and [[fast-moving consumer goods]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Abhay Vaidya |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/Pune-ranks-8th-in-rich-stakes/articleshow/567168.cms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103045629/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2004-03-18/pune/28341503_1_sugar-belt-pune-ranks-lists |url-status=live |archive-date=3 November 2012 |title=Pune ranks 8th in 'rich' stakes|date=18 March 2004 |work=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=2010-09-20}}</ref>

==Industry==
{{More citations needed|date=March 2025}}
Approximately 40% of new [[automobile]] sales in [[Kolhapur]] district is from Ichalkaranji [[Catchment area (human geography)|Catchment area]]. [[Maruti Suzuki]], [[Tata Motors]], [[Hero MotoCorp|Hero]], [[Bajaj Auto|Bajaj]], [[Honda]] and [[TVS Motor]] have authorized sales and services centres in Ichalkaranji. [[Maruti Suzuki|Suzuki]] and [[Yamaha Motor Company|Yamaha]] also have their service centers in Ichalkaranji.

Ichalkaranji is one of the fastest-growing industrial areas in [[Maharashtra]] and has even been termed the "'''Manchester of Maharashtra'''". Having mixed communities from all parts of India this is a cosmopolitan town by true means. The city's economy is driven predominantly by the [[textile industry]]. Engineering is the second largest industry in the city. There is much progressive agriculture in the area surrounding the city. There are at least 14 banking companies in the city with almost all banks in India having a branch in the city. Textile goods manufactured in the city are sold all over India as well as exported to various parts of the world. Traders use the Centralized Online Real-time Exchange [[Core Banking]] facility for financial transactions. [[Indian Settlement Systems]] such as Real-time gross settlement [[Real Time Gross Settlement|RTGS]] and National Electronic Funds Transfer [[National Electronic Funds Transfer|NEFT]] System is also available in almost all branches of banks in the city. Despite all these Bankers clearing house in the city processes approximately 12,000 [[Cheque]]s on each working day. [[Clearing house (finance)|Clearing house]] is managed by the [[State Bank of India]].{{citation needed |date=June 2022}} CTS clearing has been started. Most of the [[Insurance]] companies in India have offices in the city.

===Textile industry===
Ichalkaranji, popular as the 'Manchester of Maharashtra', has about 25 spinning units with about 1.25 lakh power looms, 20,000 semi-automatic looms and 9,000 shuttle-less looms to run till December 2018, with a daily turnover of nearly {{INRConvert|10|b}}.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/textile-mill-owners-yield-to-striking-workers-demands/article4469719.ece|title=Textile mill owners yield to striking workers' demands|date=2 March 2013|access-date=3 March 2013|newspaper=The Hindu}}</ref> apart from numerous power and hand processing houses. The town produces one crore meter of yarn every day which translates into a business of Rs 45 crore a day. Of the total production, 15 percent is directly exported while another 40 percent is for indirect export after processing. According to locals, over 50,000 weavers depend on their livelihood working in the power looms in town.{{cn|date=November 2025}}

Before 1980, Ichalkaranji was known for cotton [[poplin]], [[dhoti]], and cotton [[sari]]s. In the mid-1980s, weavers of the city started producing [[denim]], [[canvas]], [[chiffon (fabric)|chiffon]], and [[fabric]] for school uniforms ([[khaki drill]]). Fabrics such as [[seersucker]], [[Oxford]], [[herringbone (cloth)|herringbone]], [[ripstop]], [[chambray (fabric)|chambray]], [[tweed (cloth)|tweed]], and [[twill]] made in or around the Ichalkaranji city are used by many domestic and international fashion brands such as [[Raymond]]'s of India, [[Armani]], [[Banana Republic]], [[Hugo Boss]], and [[Paul Smith (fashion designer)|Paul Smith]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.soktas.com.tr/en/index-en.html |title=SOKTAS |access-date=2010-08-15 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100318060058/http://www.soktas.com.tr/en/index-en.html |archive-date=18 March 2010}}</ref>

==Spinning==
In 1962 the Deccan Co-operative [[Spinning (textiles)|Spinning]] Mill Ltd. came into existence in Ichalkaranji, which was the first [[Co-operative]] Spinning Mill in Asia.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ichcluster.in/about/about_ichalkaranji.html |title=Ichalkaranji Textile Development Cluster Limited |access-date=2010-08-15 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100311185651/http://www.ichcluster.in/about/about_ichalkaranji.html |archive-date=11 March 2010}}</ref> {{As of|2010}}, with over 20 modern spinning mills this region has become one of the major centers for spinning mills in India.<ref name="New policy to give a boost to the textile industry in Ichalkaranji">{{cite news|url=http://www.mid-day.com/news/2010/sep/190910-textile-ministry-textile-parks-cotton-belt.htm|title=Textile parks in cotton belt|author=Vinod Kumar Menon|date= 19 September 2010|publisher=MiD DAY Infomedia|access-date=23 September 2010|location=Mumbai}}</ref> Some of these spinning mills are 100% export-oriented Units of cotton [[yarn]].

Yarn [[sizing]] is a preparatory process before the weaving that gives strength to yarn. The city has approximately 175 sizing units, which work for 24 hours a day and 6 days a week.

===Agriculture===
The city is surrounded by five [[sugar refineries]]. Annually they process over 5000000 [[metric ton]]s of sugarcane, as of 2009 sugarcane prices of ₹2600 per ton.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/farmers\-protests-in-pawar\s-home-turf-impact-sugar-supply/407497/ |title=Farmers' protests in Pawar's home turf impact sugar supply | Business Standard News |newspaper=Business Standard India |date=2010-09-09 |access-date=2016-10-29|last1=Jog |first1=Sanjay }}</ref> Sugarcane farmers itself bring in approximately Rs. 13000000000 ($13billion) to the economy of the city's [[Catchment area (human geography)|Catchment area]]. Four out of five sugar mills have Co-generation plants. The oldest of these five sugar mills is Deshbhakta Ratnappa Kumbhar Panchganga Sahakari Sakhar Karkhana Ltd, founded by Dr. [[Ratnappa Kumbhar]], an [[Indian independence activists|Indian independence activist]] who signs the final draft of the [[Constitution of India]]. Shree Renuka Sugars Ltd, one of the leading sugar companies in India, has set up a [[Bagasse]] based 30 [[Megawatt]] [[Cogeneration]] power plant in Ichalkaranji.<ref>{{cite web |author=Sunder Iyer |date=2009-07-23 |title=Deshbhakta Ratnappa Kumbhar Panchaganga SSK, Ichalkaranji Installs 30 MW turbine |url=http://www.indiaprwire.com/pressrelease/electronic-components/2009072329959.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090727094826/http://www.indiaprwire.com/pressrelease/electronic-components/2009072329959.htm |archive-date=27 July 2009 |access-date=2016-10-29 |website=Indiaprwire.}}</ref>

==Education and research==
Ichalkaranji has around 100 high schools with 3 international schools, around 20 colleges offering degree-level education in Arts, science, and commerce fields, 3 engineering colleges, 1 technical education institute and 1 research institute in engineering.{{Citation needed|date=July 2025}} Most of the schools and colleges are private and public or "municipal schools" (run by the local municipal council). The schooling system mainly offers [[Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education]] as well as other boards such as the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS), [[Central Board for Secondary Education]] (CBSE) and so on. Marathi is the main language of instruction followed by English and Hindi.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Now-schools-can-teach-in-2-languages/articleshow/1516877.cms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811120206/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2006-05-05/mumbai/27795527_1_medium-regional-language-primary-education |url-status=live |archive-date=2011-08-11 |title=Now, schools can teach in 2 languages |date=2006-05-05 |website=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=2016-10-30}}</ref>

==Media and communication==
''Mahasatta'' is the local newspaper of the city, while other Marathi language newspapers such as ''[[Sakaal]]'', ''[[Pudhari]]'', ''[[Loksatta]]'', ''[[Lokmat]]'', ''[[Kesari (Marathi newspaper)|Kesari]]'', [[Maharashtra Times]], and ''[[Saamna]]'' are popular. Major English dailies in the city are [[The Times of India]], [[The Indian Express]] [[Business Standard]] and [[The Economic Times]]. Major Hindi dailies in the city [[Navbharat Times]], Lokmat Samachar (By lokamat group) and Vyapar (Hindi) of Janmabhoomi Group.

Star Maajha, Zee Marathi, [[Doordarshan]] Sahyadri, Colors Marathi, Sony Marathi and Me Marathi are popular television channels. English and Hindi entertainment and news channels are watched as well. Ichalkaranji has had FM Radio services running for the last few years. Though Radio Tomato (Pudhari Publications). 94.3 MHz, [[Radio Mirchi]] (98.3 MHz) tops the popularity rating along with [[All India Radio]] FM (102.7 MHz).

[[Broadband Internet access]], provider in the city is DataOne by [[BSNL]] Fixed Line telecom services are offered alongside [[GSM]] and [[Code division multiple access]] (CDMA) mobile services. Cell phone coverage is extensive, and the main service providers are [[Vodafone Essar]], [[Bharti Airtel|Airtel]], BSNL, [[Reliance Communications]], [[Idea Cellular]], [[Aircel]] and [[Tata Indicom]]. Recently{{when|date=July 2021}} a [[3G]] service has been launched by [[Vodafone Essar]], [[Bharti Airtel|Airtel]], BSNL, [[Reliance Communications]], [[Idea Cellular]], [[Aircel]] and [[Tata Indicom]]. The work for laying [[Fibre optics]] for [[4G]] is in progress.{{citation needed |date=June 2022}}

==Transport==
{{Unreferenced section|date=February 2018}}
Ichalkaranji is well connected by the neighboring cities and national highways by road. [[MSRTC]] runs bus service to [[Sangli]] and [[Kolhapur]] every 15 minutes from Ichalkaranji. The public transport is mainly provided by [[MSRTC]], [[Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation|KSRTC]] and private buses which serve to all major destinations in Maharashtra, [[Karnataka]] and Andhra Pradesh. Private bus services are connected to major cities like [[Mumbai]], [[Pune]], [[Nagpur]], [[Aurangabad|Sambhaji Nagar]], [[Nashik]], [[Shirdi]], [[Bangalore]], [[Mangalore]], [[Hyderabad]], [[Solapur]], [[Surat]], [[Ahmedabad]], [[Panjim]]. [[MSRTC]] provides bus service from Ichalkaranji to [[Kolhapur]] and [[Sangli]] every 15 minutes. [[Sangli railway station]] is also connected to the city via bus services. From Sangli railway station, there are several trains to Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Pune, Goa, Mysuru, Hubli, Belgaum, Surat, Vadodara, Ahmedabad, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Bikaner, Ajmer, Agra, Gwalior, Jhansi, Puducherry, Tirunelveli(Kanyakumari), Guntakal, Tiruchirappalli, Ratlam, Kota, Nagpur, Itarsi, Chitaurgarh, Abu Road, Gandhidham etc. Sangli station is convenient to reach from Ichalkaranji. Even though railway stations and the Kolhapur airport are nearby Ichalkaranji itself is not connected by rail or air.

The nearest [[Train station|railway stations]] are:
* [[Hatkanangale railway station|Hatkanangale]] – 6 km
* [[Sangli railway station]] – 28 km
* [[Rukadi]] – 12 km
* Valivade – 18 km
* [[jaysingpur]] – 15 km

The nearest [[airport]]s are:
* [[Kolhapur]] – 30 km ([[Maharashtra]])
* [[Belgaum|Belgaon]] – 110 km ([[Karnataka]])
* [[Pune]] – 250 km ([[Maharashtra]])
* [[Mumbai]] – 389 km ([[Maharashtra]])
* [[Sambhajinagar (Maharashtra Lok Sabha constituency)|Aurangabad]]− 400 km([[Maharashtra]])

==Notable people==


* [[Kallappa Awade]], politician
* [[Raju Awale]], politician
* [[Jayesh Bugad]], speed skater.
* [[Mirashi Buwa]], classical singer.
* [[Anant Ramachandra Gokhale]], advocate of women's education and author
* [[Suresh Ganpati Halvankar]], politician
* [[Balakrishnabuwa Ichalkaranjikar]], classical singer
* [[Subhash Khot]], mathematician, theoretical computer scientist
* [[Ratnappa Kumbhar]], politician and independence activist
* [[Rajaram Mane]], politician
* [[Vaishnavi Powar]], kho kho player

==See also==
* [[Ichalkaranji Lok Sabha constituency]]
* [[Ichalkaranji Assembly constituency]]
* [[List of Maratha dynasties and states]]
* [[List of princely states of British India (by region)]]
* [[Maratha Empire]]
* [[Textile industry]]
* [[Mughal Empire]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://kolhapur.gov.in/economy/https://www.kolhapur.gov.in Kolhapur Economy – Government of India]

{{Princely states of the Deccan States Agency}}

{{fabric}}
{{Kolhapur district topics}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Ichalkaranji| ]]
[[Category:Textile industry in Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Cities and towns in Kolhapur district]]
[[Category:Cities in Maharashtra]]

Ichalkaranji - Revision history

ViolaCnr7137989 at 08:17, 14 February 2026