Introduction:-
The Beed district is called peacock district. It is situated in the centre of the Aurangabad division of the state between 18? 27′ and 19? 27′ north latitude and 74? 49′ and 76? 44′ east longitude. It has an area of 10,693 square kilometres and a population of 2161250 (as per 2001census) with 11 towns and 1365 villages of which 19 are uninhabited. It is bounded by Aurangabad and Parbhani districts on the north, Parbhani and Osmanabad districts on the east, Osmanabad district on the south and Ahmadnagar district on the west
Geography:-
The district can be divided into three broad physiographic divisions viz., the low lying northern division forming a part of the Godavari valley which may be described as lowland Beed, the higher part in the south forming part of the Balaghat plateau which may be described as the highland Beed and a third low lying undulating area south-west and west of the highland Beed comprising almost the whole of the Ashti tahsil lying mostly in the Sina basin.
All the streams of the district drain into one of the three principal rivers viz., the Godavari, the Manjra and the Sina which run along the northern, southern and south-eastern boundaries of the district.
Geology:
The district is underlain by the Deccan traps of Cretaccous-Eocene age. The trap rocks belong to the type called ‘Plateau Basalt’ and are uniform in composition corresponding to that of dolerite or basalt with an average specific gravity of 2.9. They are dark grey or dark greenish grey in colour. The traps have been distinguished into the vesicular and non-vesicular types.
Hydrogeology:
Hydrogeology of the district is assessed mainly on the basis of existing dugwells. General depth of dugwells ranges from 12-17 m. The southern and western part of the district shows static water levels in the wells varies form 8.00- 9.00 m bgl during may, where as average static water level shows 8-11 m bgl during may in the eastern and northern part of the district. Groundwater availability in this formation is mainly controlled by joints, fractures and weatherd zone.
Historical:
Satavahanas: Soon after the death of Asoka, this region declared its independence. A new dynasty which derived its name from its founder king Satavahana rose to power with its capital at Pratisthana (modern Paithan). Vakatakas: Within about fifty years after Yajnasri Satakarni, the rule of the Satavahanas came to an end in Circa A.D. 250. Several small kingdoms arose in the extensive territory which was previously under their rule. Nizams of Hyderabad : Rebellion broke out in the district of Bid in 1818 and was led by Dharmaji Pratap Rav. On 11th July 1818, the Risala of Navab Murtaza Yar Jang, under the command of Lieutenant John Sutherland, was ordered to proceed to Bid for the protection of that part of the country, and was at the same time to be kept in motion throughout the district.
Culture::-
The religious beliefs and practices of various communities in the district are in no way much different from those observed in other districts of Maharastra. In fact, they are much the same all over India. As shown before, the chief communities in the district, distinguished on the count of religion, are the Hindus and the Muslims. Communities such as Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists and Zoroastrians are in insignificant number. Among the Hindus there are a number of samskaras or sacraments which are religious observances conducted under the Brahman priesthood. Such observances are in theory, purifying rites. Some of these were considered as compulsory or nitya and others as optional or naimittika. The religious holidays followed by the Hindus of the district are much the same as those followed by the people in other districts of the State. Almost every month occurs a sana (holiday), an utasva (festival), a jayanti (Birthday anniversary of god or goddess, a saint or a hero), or a jatra (fair). Besides, there are also days for individual observances such as a vrata (vow) or a upavas (fast).
Hot Spot :
Out of 11 tahasils 9 tahasils of the district falls under drought prone area. District receives irregular and patchy rainfall every year which ultimately brings heavy water scarcity. Major earthquake experienced by the district is Killari earthquake of 1993. Most of the floods had witnessed due to inundation of Godavari river during heavy rainfall years