Chimur

About Chimur

Chimur is a taluka place of Chandrapur district in Maharashtra, India having a population of 30000. There is a Municipality and offices of the Tehsildar and SDO and Panchayat Samiti.

Chimur is approachable by road from warora. Nearest railway station is Warora on the Wardha-Ballarpur-Hyderabad link. From Warora it is 55 km and a 110 km from Chandrapur. Regular bus service to Chimur is available from Nagpur which is at 115 km from Chimur.

Also, Chimur is the center place from Wardha, Chandrapur, Gondiya, Bhandara, Gadchiroli and Nagpur. It is near about 100 km from all these district places.

Chimur is the place from where the battle of freedom started. It is under development from many years.

Chimur - Historical background

Chimur is famous for its active participation in the Indian Freedom Struggle during the "Quit India" movement of 1942.

Rashtrasant Tukdoji Maharaj was residing at Chimur during the early days of his life. A close associate of Mahatma Gandhi, Professor Bhansali who has established an Ashram at Takali in Saoner taluka of Nagpur district also spent a substantial time in Chimur during the "Quit India" movement. During the "Quit India" movement many people participated in the satyagraha. During the "Quit India" movement, Balaji Raipurkar and Babulal Zire were killed when the British troops opened fire on the satyagrahis. Following this incident, The Government Rest House at Chimur was burnt down by an angry mob in which the Subdivisional officer Dungaji was killed along with some other police officers. After this incident for about 15 days there was no British rule in Chimur as the troops were not able to reach Chimur due to the various roadblocks set up by the freedom fighters.

Following this incident, the British government cracked down heavily on the freedom fighters and the people of Chimur. The British troops committed severe atrocities on the satyagrahis. Five satyagrahis were sentenced to death by the British government for their role in the 1942 freedom struggle. Professor Bhansali undertook a fast unto death to prevail upon the British government to stop their atrocities in Chimur. He also helped people to buy houses which were auctiond by the British Government for non-payment of taxes and fines. Rashtrasant Tukdoji Maharaj also participated in the 1942 freedom struggle but left Chimur on the day of the burning down of the Government rest house. After independence, the Government of Independent India paid back to the people of Chimur the taxes and fines which had been forcibly and wrongly collected by the British Government. Important places like the dak bungalow, police station, schools, etc. were reconstructed by the government of Independent India.

Shri. Udhavrao Tukaram Korekar was born and brought up at Chimur. His father Shri. Tukaram Balaji Korekar had a poor family background and he was a worshiper of the Lord Balaji. He served the lord by singing his praise morning, noon and night.

Udhavrao after completing his vernacular final, went on to get trained to become a teacher. He served as a teacher at Chimur for which he used to get Rs. 16 per month as salary. After only 3 years in service, Udhavrao jumped into the Indian Freedom Movement. He quit the job of a teacher and actively followed the Gandhian principles of satyagraha to oppose the British rule. He played a key role in the "Jungle Satyagraha" and the "Quit India" movement of 1942. For his role in the freedom struggle he was tried and sentenced by the British Government to 35 years of imprisonment. His nephew Shri. Gopalrao Korekar was sentenced to death for his role in the freedom struggle. This death sentence was reduced to life imprisonment by the British Government. After India gained independence in 1947, both the sentences were terminated. Udhavrao was released from prison in 1947. He was an active member of the Indian National Congress. He was Chairman and member of Warora Janpad Sabha Education Committee. He was the founder of the Chimur Education Society. Presently Chimur Education Society runs 2 Junior Colleges and 3 highschools. Udhavrao Korekar was also the Chairman of the Chimur Gram Panchayat and a member of the Chandrapur Zilla Parishad.

For his contribution to the Indian Independence struggle and for his role in the overall development of Chimur, the Indian Prime Minister Shri. P V Narsimha Rao personally honoured and publicly felicitated Udhavrao Korekar during his Chimur visit in 1993.

Udhavrao Korekar breathed his last on 24 May 1995 at Pune. He is remembered by the people for his selfless service to the nation and active participation in the Indian Freedom struggle.

shri Durlabhadas Madhavjee Mehta,and his wife Smt bhagerathiben mehta was also taken active part in freedom fight,they started charkha sangh at his home,part of freedom struggal call by Shri Mahatma gandhi,both stay with Mahatama gandhi in sevagram ashram,Shree Prof.Bhansali mahararaj took 63 fast at his home,who is one of the Gandhijee falower..both are active member of congress.

Presently, Chimur is having educational institutions like schools, Junior college of Science, Arts and Commerce. Chimur is a Parliament constituency represented predominantly by the Indian National Congress (INC) and the Republican Party Of India (RPI).

Places of interest in and near Chimur

There is a Balaji temple in Chimur which is more than 300 years old. This temple was constructed during the Bhosale reign. The idol in this temple is strikingly similar to the idol in the famous Tirupati Balaji temple. This temple is famous for the "Ghodayatra" which begins as per Hindu calendar on Magh Shuddha Trayodashi. During the "Ghodayatra" the idol is paraded thro town in a colorful procession which is attended by devotees in large numbers.

The famous Tadoba Andhari Tiger Project & National Park is at a distance of 30 km from Chimur. This park is a successful example of conservation of the Tiger - The National Animal of India. The other animal species found in Tadoba are Bear, Gava (Indian Bison) and Chital (Indian Spotted Dear). The park is also famous for its bio-diversity. Hospitality services are available in the park. Jungle Safaris and logding facilities make a visit to the Tadoba-Andhari park a worthwhile experience. Regular bus service is available from Chimur to Tadoba. Other places also available like "Ghodajari" and "Ramdighi" etc....