# Bodhan

Bodhan town in Nizamabad district of the Indian state Telangana. Bodhan is primarily known for the Nizam Sugar Factory founded by the Nizam of Hyderabad, and some historical places such as The Jalal Bukhari Dargah at Ranjalbase, The Chakreshwara Shiva Temple, The Renuka Temple, Bheemuni Gutta at Rakasipet and prominent other historical places, such as the Pandu Teertha (Pandu Lake dug by the Pandavas), Chakra Teertha (Chakki lake) and many other temples and shrines.

## History

Bodhan is identified as the ancient Podana town (Podanapura), which was known to be the capital of Asmaka Mahajanapada of ancient India that covered present-day Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Maharashtra. It was also served as the capital of Vinayaditya, an 8th century ruler of the Vemulavada Chalukya dynasty.
Rakasipet is a part of the Bodhan town which has historical significance. It is considered that "Pandavas" while doing "Aranyavas" stayed near Bodhan. Bhima killed "Bakasura" near Rakasipet (Bodhan).That place is called Bhimuni Gutta.
Bodhan Asmaka was ruled by ancient Bagwan Bahubali Kammateswara. He was second son of Rushabhadeva. Rushabhadeva was first theerdhakara in Jainism. Bodhan is believed to be the place of death of the dynasty's Kannada-language court poet Pampa. The samadhi (burial place) of Pampa is also believed to be located at Bodhan: it was discovered in the 1970s, when historian Yadagiri Rao deciphered a form of the old Kannada script. The samadhi is of an unidentified saint, who is believed to be Pampa.
Asia's second largest sugar factory is in Bodhan.

## Demographics

Religion in Bodhan (2011) :
| Islam | Islam | 50.06% | 50.06% |
| Hinduism | Hinduism | 46.70% | 46.70% |
| Christianity | Christianity | 1.82% | 1.82% |
| Other or not stated | Other or not stated | 1.42% | 1.42% |
As of 2011 India census, Bodhan had a population of 77,573. Males constitute 50% of the population and females 50%. Bodhan has an average literacy rate of 66%, lower than the national average of 74.04%; with male literacy of 71% and female literacy of 61%. 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.
Languages of Bodhan (2011)
At the time of the 2011 census, 50.30% of the population spoke Urdu, 44.62% Telugu, 2.12% Marathi and 1.21% Hindi as their first language.

## Revenue Division

Bodhan is one of the 68 revenue divisions of Telangana state. It consists of ten mandals namely Bodhan, Varni, Chandur, Mosra, Rudrur, Kotagiri, Renjal,saloora,pothangal and Yedapally. The entire division comes under ayacut of Nizamsagar Project

## Government and politics

Civic administration
Bodhan Municipality was constituted in 1952 and is classified as a second grade municipality with 38 election wards. The jurisdiction of the civic body is spread over an area of 21.40 km$^2$ (8.26 sq mi).
Bodhan Assembly In 2014, Shakil of TRS won the seat by a margin of 15,884 (10.37%). Shakil secured 44.02% of the total votes polled.
In the 2014 assembly elections, TRS led in the Bodhan Assembly segment of the Nizamabad Parliamentary/Lok Sabha constituency
In 2018, assembly elections Mr Shakil Aamir Mohammed won Second time Ruling for bodhan constitution as a Member of legislature assembly with majority(74895) Votes, 47.14% With TRS (Telangana Rastra Samity ) political Party, Which was founded at 27 April 2001 by K Chandra Shekar Rao Chief minister of Telangana,

## Transport

National Highway 63 passes through this town.

### Rail

Bodhan has a railway station and is on a branch line of the Peddapalli-Nizamabad line which provides it connectivity to Nizamabad.
In October 2023, the Karimnagar-Nizamabad MEMU was extended up to Bodhan.