Kannad

This article is about the municipality in Maharashtra state, India. For the language, see Kannada.

Kannad is a Taluka and a Municipal Council City in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar District in the Indian state of Maharashtra. Kannad has located 58 km from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. It is located 24 km away from the Ellora Caves and Grishneshwar Temple. It is 45 Km from Daulatabad / Deogiri Fort. Kannad was popularly known as the city of three doors. One of the doors was situated in Maliwada; the second was in front of the Masjid, and the third one was not available but local say it was there, still no evidence found. As the city was called "Kankavti" by old locals, it refers to the name Kannad. The British colonial army seems to have existed around the region till 1898.

• Kannad has the highest number of Dams in Maharashtra.
• It has 15 Dams and 7 Lakes. Kannad is in Marathwada.
• Kannad has around 244 Villages. Kannad is also called as प्रवेश व्दार - Entry Gate for Marathwada and Khandesh Region. It joins Marathwada and Khandesh Region.
• Kannad is one of the developed Taluka in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar District.

Kannad
City and Taluka
Kannad Location in Maharashtra, India
Coordinates: 20.27°N 75.13°E / 20.27; 75.13
Country	India
State	Maharashtra
District	Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad)
Elevation	633 m (2,077 ft)
Population  (2011)[citation needed]
• Total	40,759
Language
• Official Req =	Marathi
ISO 3166 code	IN-MH
Website	Official

Kannad also has one of the biggest Sugar Factory Baramati Agro Limited - Kannad Unit owned by Shri. Rajendra Pawar and Maharashtrian Politician and NCP MLA Rohit Rajendra Pawar.

History

Kannad has a long and diverse history. During the medieval period, the region was part of the Deccan Sultanates and later integrated into the Mughal Subah of Aurangabad. Antur Fort, located nearby, was strategically significant during Mughal–Maratha conflicts in the 17th century. After the fall of the Maratha Empire, Kannad came under the Hyderabad Nizam’s dominion and remained part of the Hyderabad State until 1948, when it was merged into the Indian Union. In 1960, Kannad became part of the newly formed state of Maharashtra.

Administration

Kannad is governed by a Municipal Council under the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Zilla Parishad. It falls under the Kannad Assembly Constituency and the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad) Lok Sabha Constituency. The current MLA (2025) is Sanjana Jadhav of the Shiv Sena (Shinde Faction).

Tourism

• Pitalkhora Caves, Buddhist Rock-Cut Caves.
• Gautala Autramghat Sanctuary, Protected Wildlife Sanctuary
• Antur Fort - Built by Maratha Killedar.
• Ambadi Dam, Shivna Takli Dam- Biggest Dams in Kannad
• Malhargad - Khandoba Temple on the edge of Autram Ghat.

Geography

• It has an average elevation of 633 metres (2076 feet).
• Origin of Shivna River is from Kannad. Shivna River starts in Kannad and flows directly to Jaikwadi Dam.
• Kannad has largest number of Teak and Sandalwood Trees.
• Kannad has large villages including Hiwarkheda Gautala, Pishor, Bahirgaon, Chapaner, Andhaner, Nagad, Aurala, Kunjkheda, Karanjkheda, Nagapur, Chikalthana.
• Agriculture is the main occupation in Kannad. Sugarcane, Onion, Ginger, Wheat, Maize and Jower are main crops cultured in Kannad Taluka.
• Mumbai - Nagpur State Highway runs through Kannad.
• Dhule - Solapur National Highway 211 runs through Kannad.
• Navodaya Vidyalaya is also located in Kannad.

Environment

Kannad region forms part of the Deccan Trap volcanic plateau with rich basaltic soil. The nearby Gautala Autramghat Sanctuary acts as a biodiversity hotspot, preserving deciduous forests, medicinal herbs, and endemic bird species.

Economy & Infrastructure

Agriculture plays a key role in the local economy of the surrounding taluka, with crops such as sugarcane, onion, maize, and jowar being cultivated. The region also has a number of dams, lakes and reservoirs supporting irrigation and water supply. Connectivity: State and national highways passing near or through the area enable transport and access.

Demographics

As of 2011^[update] of India census,^[1] Kannad Taluka has total population of around 4,50,000. Kannad City has a population of 40,759. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Kannad has an average literacy rate of 84.45%, higher than the state average of 82.34%: male literacy is 90.44%, and female literacy is 78.07%. In Kannad, 15% of the population is under 6 years of age.^{[citation needed]}

Schedule Caste (SC) constitutes 7.19% while Schedule Tribe (ST) were 3.78% of total population in Kannad.^{[citation needed]}

Hinduism is practiced by 80% of the population. Muslims constitute 16% of the population. Navayana Buddhism is practiced by 3% of the population.^{[citation needed]}

Kannad population are mostly of Maratha caste.^{[citation needed]}

Religion in Kannad city (2011)^[2]

1. Hinduism (54.8%)
2. Islam (40.5%)
3. Buddhism (2.83%)
4. Jainism (1.51%)
5. Christianity (0.20%)
6. Sikhism (0.04%)
7. Others (0.11%)

Religion in Kannad Taluka (2011)^[3]

1. Hinduism (79.5%)
2. Islam (16.1%)
3. Buddhism (3.26%)
4. Jainism (0.40%)
5. Others (0.66%)

Politics

Kannad is part of the Aurangabad Lok Sabha constituency. It is represented in the Maharashtra state legislature through the Kannad (Vidhan Sabha Constituency).