Ichalkaranji is a city in Kolhapur district in the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is governed by a municipal council. Ichalkaranji City is known for its export of Textile goods and textile manufacturing industry. The City is growing rapidly and now merging with neighbouring Jaysingpur town to form a large satellite suburban township with Sangli city which is just 24 kilometres (15 mi) away. The city of Ichalkaranji assumes a place amongst the cities having highest per capita income in the country. Connectivity from Ichalkaranji to Kolhapur, Sangli, Miraj & Jaysingpur is very good.
Ichalkaranji, located in Western Maharashtra and included in Hatkanangale tehsil of Kolhapur district of Maharashtra for the last hundred years has been growing fast and has become one of the leading centers of textile industry. This city has historical importance also. This city is known as the Little Manchester of Maharashtra. One Naro Mahadev was the founder of the Ghorpade family. He made Ichalkaranji the seat of his capital in 1708 AD Previously this was a small hamlet situated on the left bank of the river Panchaganga.
Ichalkaranji, remained the capital of the Ghorpade (Joshi's) from 1708 AD. to 1949 A.D. Anubai, the daughter of Balaji Vishvanath and the sister of the Peshwa Bajirao I, got married to Vyankatrao, the ruler of Ichalkaranji in about 1719 A.D and Ichalkaranji became the centre of political activities.The ruler of the Ichalkaranji built the palace and other public buildings at Ichalkaranji.
There were 11 rulers who ruled the Ichalkaranji jaghir, Some of them were farsighted and enlightened. One such ruler was Narayanrao Babasaheb Ghorpade(1892-1943) who made Ichalkaranji a textile city. In 1893, His Highness Shrimant Narayanrao Ghorpade laid the foundation for the municipal council of Ichalkaranji. Many textile powerlooms and allied industries came into existence in Ichalkaranji. A number of cloth merchants, especially the Marwadi community from north India flocked to the city and invested their capital in textile Industries. Side by side some entrepreneurs started co-operative textile industries and spinning mills, like Deccan Spinning Mills, Inchalkaranji co-operative Spinning Mills, Kolhapur Zilla Sut Girani, Nava-Maharashtra spinning Mills etc. There was a need of labour workers for textile and spinning mills. Geographically Ichalkaranji is located near Karnataka side. Some local workers are also involved in this work.
Due to the textile industries Ichalkaranji is known as the little Manchester of Maharashtra. In 1949 Ichalkaranji Jaghir was merged into Bombay presidency. But after independence this city has fast been developing. It is also an educational centre. Class struggle has been always going on between the rich and the poor.
Ichalkaranji has an important place in the urban development of western Maharashtra. It is called the Manchester of Maharashtra. It is an impotant industrial city where the development of textile and the powerloom industry has brought about an over-all prosperity. It is also the main place in the boundary of South Maharashtra and Karnataka State.
It's district place Kolhapur is probably one of the oldest religious and trade centres in Western India. It has ever remained the great centre of learning and culture. Now Ichalkaranji is a great commercial, religious, educational and political centre.
Best Time to Visit Ichalkaranji
The best time of year to visit Ichalkaranji for hot-weather activities is from early February to mid April.
How to Reach Ichalkaranji?
By Air : The Nearest Airport from Ichalkaranji is Pune,Maharashtra (250 km) and Belgaum, Karnataka (110 km) . Kolhapur Airport (35 km) is currently under construction. After construction it will be the nearest airport.
By Rail : Ichalkarnji city is situated midway between Kolhapur and Miraj railway line, and it is 9.5 kms south of the Hatkanangale railway station, Hatkanangale is also its taluka place. Ichalkaranji city is 29 kms from Kolhapur railway station.
By Road : It is located about 26 kms to the south west of Sangli city . Three roads branching from Kolhapur Sangli road enter into the town, one from the west and the other two from the north and south. Ichalkaranji is joined by road to Nipani and Chikodi towns of Karnataka state.