Ichalkaranji is a City in Kolhapur dist. in Maharashtra. It is governed by a municipal council.

Ichalkaranji is City is rapidly growing and now merging with neighboring Jaysingpur town to form a large satellite suburban township with Sangli city which is just 24 kilometres (15 mi) away.

The city of Ichalkaranji assumes a place amongst the cities having highest per capita income in the country. Ichalkaranji was a Maratha Princely state situated on the banks of Panchganga River. It was ruled by the Ghorpade dynasty for the last two centuries. The chief of state, His Highness Shrimant Narayanrao Babasaheb Ghorpade, who was responsible for developing the Ichalkaranji village Into an Important Industrial town and who contributed liberal donations to educational Institutions throughout the country. He was the main source of inspiration for the development of both the decentralized textile industry as well as the co-operative movement. He encouraged Mr. Vitthalrao Datar, a young entrepreneur of the town, to install a power loom in 1904. Perhaps this was the first power loom started in the decentralized textile industry of the country. Thus, Ichalkaranji has given a new concepts and dimensions to the textile field of India.

The foresighted ruler gave a royal patronage by extending financial assistance as well as free land to the desires weavers and other enterprising entrepreneurs. He deliberately invited lot of marwari ( Rajsthani ) businessman to Ichalakranji & start business. During his visit to Denmark and other western countries, the Chief had an access to the co-operative sector of these countries and he was very much impressed with the success of the Co-operative sector of these countries and on his return to India, he vowed to exercise this movement for the benefit of his only subject, that is reformation of the microeconomics of the town for Prosperity, growth and Self-sustainability of the society.

Textile industry

Ichalkaranji is home to one of the oldest textile industries in India. Home to nearly 5,000 textile factories, it is also one of India’s largest centres of small scale industries. The town has as many as 120,000 power looms employing 30,000 power loom workers and 15,000 dependents and with a daily turnover of nearly 500 million (US$8.4 million).

Before 1980 Ichalkaranji was famous for cotton poplin, dhoti, and cotton saris. In mid-1980s, weavers of the city started producing denim, canvas, chiffon, and fabric for school uniforms (khaki drill). Fabrics such as seersucker, Oxford, herringbone, ripstop, chambray, tweed, and twill made in or around the Ichalkaranji city are used by many domestic and international fashion brands such as Raymond’s of India, Armani, Banana Republic, Hugo Boss, and Paul Smith.

The presence of a qualified workforce and the level of technical know-how and easy accessibility to finest weavers of Ichalkaranji for outsoaring and over all good social ambiance were among the factors that influenced Italian textile major Tessitura Monti,Turkish textile maker ‘Soktas’, Bombay Rayon Fashions Ltd (BRFL), Raymond Zambaiti Ltd (A joint venture of Raymond’s Ltd and internationally renowned Cotonificio Honegger S.P.A, part of Gruppo Zambaiti), world famous German Men’s wear brands Liebe, Boys R Bad and Looty etc.. while planning investment near Ichalkaranji city.

Spinning

In 1962 the Deccan Co-operative Spinning Mill Ltd. came into existence in Ichalkaranji, which was the first Co-operative Spinning Mill in Asia. As of 2010 over 20 modern spinning mills this region has become one of the major centre for spinning mills in India. Some of these spinning mills are 100% Export Oriented Units of Cotton Yarn.

Sizing

Yarn sizing is a preparatory process before weaving. This process gives strength to yarn. City has approximately 175 sizing units,

working 24 hours a day, 6 days a week.

Infrastructure

City has a water supply network in existence since 1873.

Indira Gandhi Memorial hospital : It is 300 bedded Hospital with 4 AC operation Theaters. The built-up area on ground floor and first floor each 40,000 sq ft (3,700 m2).Drama Theater : Shrimant Narayanrao Babasaheb Ghorpade Natyagrah. It is the unique theater in western Maharashtra. Seating capacity for 1200 persons. Fully air conditioned theater. This is the only air conditioned theater in south-west Maharashtra. It can be compare it with “Kalidas Theatre” in Nashik. The plans where prepared by kisloskar consultants, Pune. The plot area is about 19129 sq m.Rajaram Stadium : Work Started – 31 January 1987 – Work completed – 7 August 2002, Cost Rs.35,000,000 The cricket ground having radius of 70 metres. The plans are prepared by Pratap Achalkar, well known Architect and Ranaji Player. Ranaji Trophy matches are played on this ground. The total plot area is about 25436 sq m that with the capacity of Auditorium is 20,000Olympic Size Swimming pool : Work Started – 16 August 1992 – Work Completed – 23 December 1998, Cost – Rs.16,164,017, To encourage the city’s swimmers Municipal Council has constructed an Olympic size swimming pool. State-level swimming Tournaments are held every year. Maintenance of this Swimming pool is done properly by municipal authority.

Education

Number of High-Schools- 100

Number of International Schools- 3

Number of Arts, science and commerce colleges – 20

Number of Engineering colleges – 3

Number of Research Institute – 1

Some of them are :

The Modern High School(MHS). First English medium school in Ichalkaranji founded by Late Dattajirao Kadam(Ex MP) & Late Mahadevrao Mali(Diamond Mali) a businessman cum philanthropist.St. Alphonsa School.Shri Gangamai Vidya Mandir.Vyankatrao High School.govindrao highschool and junior collageD.K.T.E English Medium SchoolAnantrao Bhide Vidya Mandir.Ichalkaranji Highschool.D.K.T.E.S’s Textile and Engineering Institute For Diploma,Degree,Post Graduate,and PHD courses in various branches of engineering and Textiles.Kishore Musale Charitable Trust (KMCT). The trust provides educational help and utilities to 25,000 students and 350 schools, in the areas of Vasai, Manor-Palghar and Thane. It has begun an ideal high school and junior college named Tatyasaheb Musale Vidyalaya at Ichalkaranji, equipped with facilities such as computer and science laboratories and a modern sports ground. This trust has also provided computers,classrooms, bore wells, etc. to mentally retarded and handicapped students in Kolhapur, Ichalkaranji and Thane.Sharad Institute Of Technology which has Diploma and Degree courses in various branches of engineering.Vyankateshwara English school & Junior CollegeNew Millennium Public SchoolK.L.E. Society’s D.E d College, Ichalkaranji. Offers Diploma In Education (D.Ed.)(Marathi Medium)New Generation Innovative SchoolSanjay Ghodawat International School Ichalkaranji is popular among non vegetarians of this part country for its unique homemade Dinner of Goat mutton called Suke Mutton severed withRassa ( a thin and spicy soup of goat), handmade Bhakri and onion salad. City has more than 100 such Gharguti khanaval (Small Hotels), famous names are Jambu Bugad, Jadhav, Savairam. City has a road known as Khanaval galli ( Hotel Road ).

Vegetarian Maharashtrian cuisine such as Misal Pav, Vada sambar, Vada pav, Pohay is accessible 24 hr/day as city’s textile mills work 24 hr/day and workers have it as a refreshment during 12 hr shift. City has plenty of dhabas Marwari Bhojnalaya serves vegetarian Rajasthani food. City has around 125 Beer Bar serve Punjabi cuisine.