Wagholi
| Wagholi | |
|---|---|
| Town | |
 Wagholi
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| Coordinates: Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. | |
| Country |  India |
| State | Maharashtra |
| District | Satara |
| Population (2001) | |
| • Total | 6,000 |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Marathi |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
| PIN | 415525 |
Wagholi (Marathi: वाघोली) is a settlement in Satara District of Maharashtra State, India. This town is situated in the North Koregaon region. Wagholi plays an important role in the political, economic, social, cultural, and educational lives of people in the Koregaon, Taluka, and Satara Districts.
This town has a literacy rate greater than 93%.
Contents
Government
The town follows the Gram Panchayat governing system, in which the sarpanch is the democratically elected head of the town. The Talathi and the Gramsevak are servants who assist the Sarpanch in the pursuit of the town's agenda. Politics have been dominated by the Bhoites since India achieved independence.
History
Wagholi was historically ruled by a leading Maratha clan from the lineage of the Suryavanshi Kshatriya, named Bhoite. Bhoites were Deshmukhs of Pargana (Taluka) Wagholi in the Prant Wai.[1] Wagholi was an important town of Raygad Ghera; it and nearby Phaltan were the centers of the prominent ruling chiefs of Chhatrapati Shivaji.[2] The Bhoites and Wagholi residents were active in the anti-British movements for the freedom of India.[3] The Wagholi used to be referred to as Sammat in the names of other villages, because in the history of Marathas, the word "Sammat" denotes a Sarkar or Pargana under Bahamani Sultanates.[4] The oldest village of Bhoite, named Tadawale, was called Tadawale Sammat Wagholi, i.e. Tadawale under Pargana Wagholi. The Bhoites, being rulers of Sammat Wagholi, were rendered as Sarsammat (Chief of Sammat) under the Deccan Sultanates.
People
Marathas
The majority of Wagholi residents are Bhoite, a leading Maratha clan and a brother branch of the inhabitants of Tadawale Sammat Wagholi (Koregaon) and Hingangaon (Phaltan). There are 96 clans of Marathas, such as Shinde-Sarkar from Asangaon, who are relatives of Bhoites.
Other people
The other people of the town are Brahman, Matang, Dhangar, Chambhar, Muslim, Neo-Buddhist and others, including NT (Castes like Dhangar, Ramoshi, and more), OBC (Other Backward Castes), and Raut.
Education
Many Wagholi residents attend school in nearby communities, such as Wathar, Satara, and Pune; some attend larger regional or national institutions.
Most schools and colleges are concentrated in Vidyanagar, 1 km away from Wagholi. Schools include:
- Bharat Mata Vidyamandir and Junior College, Wagholi (Science, Commerce, Arts)
- Kala Mahavidyalay Wagholi, Vidyanagar (Graduation in Arts, Commerce)
Transport
The main means of transportation are the government buses of M.S.R.T.C. (Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation) and also some private taxis, small vehicles, and trucks. Locals often ride bicycles as well.
- Air: The nearest airport is at Pune, which is more than 20 km away.
- Rail: The nearest Station is Wathar, about 7 km away.
- Road: The local road network is well developed, connected to state highways at least 9 km away.
Agriculture
Grapes are grown on a wide scale.
During the last few years, Shree Shivaji and Adv. Prabhakar Vilasrao Shinde started the cultivation of strawberries with imported mother-plants. Now, strawberry is the leading product in Wagholi Panchkroshi (sub-division).
