Adilabad District – Northern Gateway of Telangana
Adilabad is located about 304 km north of Hyderabad, 150 km from Nizamabad, and 196 km from Nagpur. The city is situated on a well-forested plateau some 2,000 feet high between the Godavari (south) and Penganga (north) rivers. It is an agricultural trade centre, connected with Hyderabad and Nagpur via National Highway 44.
Historically, Adilabad was known as Edlabad during the rule of Qutub Shahis. Originally a sub-district named Sirpur-Tandur created in 1872, it became an independent district in 1905. In October 2016, the district was reorganized into four: Adilabad, Kumram Bheem Asifabad, Mancherial, and Nirmal.
Geography
Adilabad is the 2nd largest district in Telangana after Mahaboobnagar. The Geo Coordinates are Latitude: 19° 40′ 12.00″ N, Longitude: 78° 31′ 48.00″ E.
Borders
- North: Yavatmal district (Maharashtra)
- Northeast: Chandrapur district (Maharashtra)
- East: Asifabad district
- Southeast: Mancherial district
- South: Nirmal district
- West: Nanded district (Maharashtra)
Terrain
- Well-forested plateau ~2,000 ft high
- Bounded by Godavari (south) & Penganga (north)
- Nirmal or Mahbub ghat – highest peak in Satnala range (264 m / 866 ft)
- Red and black soil – black soil accounts for ~72%
Economy
Adilabad is famous for its rich cultivation of cotton, earning the nickname "White Gold City". Cotton is grown in abundance and sold in Maharashtra and other neighbouring states.
Food Crops: Jowar, paddy, cotton, wheat, maize, chillies, sugarcane, soya.
Horticulture: Fruits, vegetables, flowers, medicinal plants, mulberry cultivation.
Oil Seeds: Groundnut – oil extracted and sold commercially.
- Agarbatti manufacturing units
- Wood based industries (furniture)
- Leather tanning industries
- Bakery products & bone mills for exports
- Ready made garments (Adilabad & Mancherial area)
- Agro-based units: vermicelli, dal mills, banana chips, fish feeds
- Teak and ebony – commercially lumbered
Minerals: Laterite, black granite, coal, manganese, limestone, quartz, clay and road metal.
One District One Product (ODOP): Soya based products – Soya milk, Soya tofu, Soya curd
Rivers & Irrigation
Penganga River
The Penganga River (also Painganga) is the lifeline of Adilabad. It originates from the Ajantha ranges in Aurangabad district, Maharashtra, and acts as a border between Maharashtra and Adilabad. It converges into the Wardha River near Chandrapur, which flows into the Pranhita River, part of the Godavari basin.
Penganga in Telangana: Starts at Guledi (Tamsi Mandal) and ends at Mangrool (Bela Mandal).
Penganga Tributaries in Telangana
- Gomutri Vagu – joins near Gomutri, Tamsi Mandal
- Jella Vagu – joins near Wadoor, Bheempur Mandal
- Satnala (Sathnala) River – joins near Pendalwada, Jainad Mandal
- Mathadi Vagu – joins near Chanda-T, Adilabad Rural
- Metta Vagu – joins near LindaSangvi, Adilabad Mandal
- Nallantiya Vagu – joins near Kura, Jainad Mandal
- Khuni River – joins on Maharashtra side near Kowtha, Mudhole Mandal
- Khagdur Vagu – joins near Khagdur, Bela Mandal
Major Irrigation Projects
Headworks near Tadsaoli, Yavathmal (Maharashtra). 37.55 TMC for Maharashtra, 5.12 TMC for Telangana. Irrigates 19,232 Ha in 4 mandals (Tamsi, Adilabad, Jainath, Bela).
23 gates on Penganga at Chanaka (Jainath mandal) & Korata (Maharashtra). Irrigates 13,500 acres, benefits 51,000 houses in 81 villages. Environmental clearance Jan 2023; wet run Sep 2023.
Across Mathadivagu near Waddai, Thamsi Mandal. Ayacut: 8,500 acres in 12 villages. Approved 2006, O&M in progress.
Near Kanpa, Jainath Mandal. Irrigates 9,716 Ha (24,000 acres) in 25 villages. Started 1977, partially completed 1986.
Near Kupti, Neredigonda mandal. Estimated cost ₹870 cr, storage 5.32 TMC. To supplement Kadam Reservoir.
Storage 1.42 TMC, estimated cost ₹369 cr.
Storage 0.7 TMC, estimated cost ₹215 cr.
Forests & Wildlife
Adilabad has the largest area under forest in Telangana, followed by Khammam. In terms of percentage, Khammam stands first (48.9%), followed by Adilabad (44.9%). Dry deciduous forests are an important source of fuel and timber. Teak, bamboo, and beedi leaves are found in these forests.
Forest Blocks
- Satnala
- Mavala
- Yapalguda I & II
- Malkapur
- Harkai
- Dedra
Sacred Groves
- Adilabad Dankanapally
- Adilabad Jainath
- Adilabad Keslapur
- Adilabad Kunthala Waterfalls
- Adilabad Mahagoan
- Adilabad Narnoor
- Adilabad Pochara Falls
- Adilabad Sadalpur
- Adilabad Sirichelma
- Adilabad Tangri Madra
- Adilabad Yekantapur
Climate
Temperature
- Cold season: Dec–Feb, mean min ~15 °C
- Summer: Mar–May, rapidly rising
- December: coldest month, mean max ~29 °C
- Relative humidity high during SW monsoon
- Summer afternoon humidity ~25%
Rainfall & Winds
- Normal annual rainfall: 1,044.5 mm
- ~85% from south-west monsoon
- July: peak rainy month
- Winds: light to moderate; May–Aug stronger
- Post-monsoon & cold season: east/north-east
- Summer: south-westerlies & westerlies
Tourism
Waterfalls – The Crown Jewels
The highest waterfall in Telangana with a height of 150 meters, located near Kuntala Khurd village, Neradigonda mandal. Offers a spectacular sight during the monsoon. An image of Lord Shiva (Someshwara Swami) is located nearby.
Located near Pochera Village, Boath Mandal. A scenic waterfall surrounded by dense forest.
A less-known water body situated on the Kadam River, approximately 5 km from Tarnam Khurd village, near Neredigonda Mandal. Hidden inside a deep tropical forest.
Located near Girnoor village, Bazarhatnoor Mandal.
A quiet valley about 25 km from Adilabad headquarters, encompassing pristine vegetation and four little-known waterfalls. Perfect for nature lovers seeking a peaceful getaway.
Eco & Adventure Tourism
Situated in Mavala Reserved Forest adjoining Adilabad Town along NH-44, spreading over 1,000 acres. Attractions: Kids Play Zone, Party Zone, Relaxation Zone, Nature Education Zone, Conservation Zone, Adventure Zone (sky cycling, zipping, rope course), Boating, Nature Walk, Jungle Safari, Bird Watching, Watch Tower, Canopy Walk, Cafeteria, Jungle Shop, Picnic Zone, and a tribute to Forest Martyrs.
Cultural & Heritage Tourism
Adilabad is a treasure trove of tribal culture with nearly 3.5 lakh adivasi population (Gonds, Kolams, Pardhans, Thotis) who preserve their glorious traditions.
Heritage Sites & Temples
Music – Kingri
Kingri (Khikri) is a unique string instrument with three strings and a bowstring made of horse hair, played by Pardhan Adivasis who preserve the myths and stories of the Gonds.
Transportation
Road
NH 44 (previously NH 7), the longest north–south National Highway in India, passes through Adilabad. It starts from Srinagar and terminates in Kanyakumari, crossing 11 states.
NH 353B is a spur road of NH 53, traversing Maharashtra and Telangana.
Rail
Adilabad Railway Station (ADB) is under the Nanded railway division of the South Central Railway zone.
Proposal (Sep 2023): Patancheruvu (Nagalapalli) to Adilabad new railway line sanctioned at ₹5,706 crore. The 317 km line will connect Nirmal, Armoor, Bodhan, Banswada, Sangareddy, and other towns.
History
Before the 10th century, the town was referred to as Edlawāḍa – "Land of Oxen". Later during Qutub Shahi rule, it was called Edlabad. The name Adilabad derives from the Bijapur ruler Muhammad Yusuf Adil Shah.
- 1158–1323 AD: Kakatiya Dynasty
- c.1323–1750 AD: Sirpur Chanda Gond Dynasty
- 1872: Part of Sirpur-Tandur sub-district
- 1905: Declared an independent district of the Nizam's Hyderabad State
- April 20, 1981: Indervelly (Indravelli) massacre
- 2016: Reorganized into Adilabad, Nirmal, Asifabad, and Mancherial districts
Demographics (2011 Census)
- Total Population: 7,08,972 (3.13% of state)
- Male: 3,56,407 (50.27%)
- Female: 3,52,565 (49.73%)
- Sex Ratio: 989 females per 1000 males
- Rural Population: 5,41,226 (76.34%)
- Urban Population: 1,67,746 (23.66%) – 1 town
- Scheduled Castes: 99,422 (14.02%)
- Scheduled Tribes: 2,24,622 (31.68%) – 7.06% of state ST population
- Density: 170 persons/km² (state: 312)
- Literacy Rate: 63.46% (state: 66.54%)
- Languages: Telugu, Urdu, Marathi, Lambadi, Gondi
Administrative Divisions
The district comprises 2 revenue divisions and 18 mandals. Adilabad is the headquarters.
Adilabad Revenue Division – 14 Mandals
Utnoor Revenue Division – 4 Mandals
Villages: 508 | Municipality: 1
Education & Sports
Education
- Average literacy of Adilabad city: 78.74% (male 85.84%, female 71.46%)
- Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Adilabad
Sports
- Indira Priyadarshini Stadium – swimming pool (₹400–500/month), coach & lifeguards
- Mini Stadium (Utnoor) – swimming pool, indoor stadium, wooden badminton court
- PYKKA events for youth below 18 – weight lifting, athletics, kabaddi, taekwondo
Adilabad – 504 001
Phone: 08742 225846 | Fax: 08742 225848
Email: dsa.adb@rediffmail.com
Parliament & Assembly Constituencies
Adilabad shares the Adilabad Lok Sabha constituency (reserved for ST) and has 2 Assembly Constituencies – Adilabad and Boath (ST) – out of 119 in Telangana.
Lok Sabha
- Adilabad (ST)
Assembly Constituencies
- Sirpur
- Asifabad
- Khanapur
- Adilabad
- Boath
- Nirmal
- Mudhole
Helpline
- Control Room Collectorate: 1800-425-1939
- State Control Room: 1070
- Fire: 101
- Medical Help line: 102 / 108
- Police: 100
- BSNL Helpline: 1503 / 1800-180-1503
Legacy – The White Gold City
Adilabad is a land of cotton fields that gleam like white gold, mighty waterfalls that cascade through dense forests, and tribal traditions that have survived for centuries. From the highest waterfall in Telangana to the sacred groves of the Gonds, from the historic Utnoor Fort to the vibrant Dandari-Ghusadi festival, Adilabad is a district of natural beauty, cultural richness, and historical significance.
The district is also the gateway to South and Central India, connected by the longest National Highway in the country. With its vast forest cover, rich mineral resources, and the life-giving Penganga River, Adilabad continues to be a land of opportunity and heritage.
- Headquarters: Adilabad
- Nickname: White Gold City (cotton cultivation)
- Former Names: Edlawāḍa, Edlabad
- Named after: Ali Adil Shah of Bijapur
- Formation: 1905 (independent district); reorganized 2016
- Rivers: Penganga (border), Godavari (south), Satnala, Mathadi, Gomutri
- Highest Waterfall: Kuntala (150 m) – highest in Telangana
- Forest Cover: Largest area in Telangana (44.9%)
- Major Crops: Cotton, jowar, paddy, maize, soya, groundnut
- Minerals: Laterite, black granite, coal, manganese, limestone, quartz
- ODOP: Soya based products
- Tribal Groups: Gonds, Kolams, Pardhans, Thotis
- Transport: NH 44, NH 353B; Adilabad Railway Station (South Central Railway)
- Revenue Divisions: Adilabad (14 mandals), Utnoor (4 mandals)
- Total Mandals: 18
- Lok Sabha: Adilabad (ST)
- Assembly: Adilabad, Boath (ST)
- Telangana360 – Adilabad History
- Telangana360 – Kuntala Waterfalls
- Telangana360 – Penganga River
- Wikipedia – Adilabad District
- Government of Telangana – District Administration
- Deccan Chronicle – Kupti Project
Adilabad – where the cotton glows white, the waterfalls roar, the forests whisper ancient tales, and the spirit of the Gonds endures through song and festival.