Washim is a district in the state of Maharashtra. The district headquarters are situated as Washim. Washim is a city and a municipal council in Washim district. The erstwhile name of Washim was Vatsagulma. It used to be the seat of power of the Vakataka dynasty. Basim is another name of Washim. It is an Arabic word which means the one that smiles. The name was given by Basim R. Iqbal who ruled the Jamar clan in 436.

Washim was created only few years back. It has a great pilgrimage past. It is said that Tirupatis Lord Balaji comes here for resting after the harvest. Shreekshetra Pohradevi is known as Kashi of Banjara community. Washim was the capital of King Wakatak, also known as Vatsagulm. Due to its strategic location, Washim was made a district under the British rule. The district has been made famous due to Hemadpanthi temples and numerous ponds.

Washim History

In 1816, the British Government was aroused by the depredations of the Pendharis in Berar. This led to their protest against the Nizam. According to the Residents Counsel, no less than 7,500 horses were stationed in the province for its protection. Hyderabad was in a very bad state. The army of Hyderabad which was a mere rabble was nearly 70,000 in strength and was costing the State exchequer a major portion of the revenue. The Government inefficiently fought with a large portion of the state. A war-like community in the districts of Nanded, Parbhani and Berar called Hatkars were in a state of open rebellion from 1798 AD. The Zamindars of Sironcha and Mahadevpur were also in rebels. The administration practically collapsed in the country. The financial embarrassment of the state was exploited to the fullest extent by Palmer and Company. The Third Maratha War started at this time. The Peshva Baji Rav II fought against the British in the battle of Khadki in 1817. He fled from Pune as he was defeated. The Nizam's army was co-operating with the British in this war and the Hyderabad Contingent took a leading part in the operations in the Deccan and Malva. Not all of the Nizam's officers were friendly to the British.

The district of Washim came into existence on July 1, 1998. Washim was once known as Vatsagulma, the capital of the Vatsagulma line of Vakataka dynasaty. The district was divided into Akola and Yavatmal under the British rule in 1905. It again became a district in 1998.

Washim Tourism

Tourist places in Washim
Balaji Mandir, Washim
Shivaji Chowk, Washim
Padmatirtha, Washim
Chamunda Devi, Washim
Antariksha Parshwasnath Jain Mandir
Shri Sakharam Maharaj Temple, Loni, Risod
Shri Nath Nange Maharaj Temple, Dawha, Taluka Malegaon
Shri Nrusimha Saraswati Swami Maharaj (Guru Mandir), Karanja
Darga Tarhala
Pohara Devi, Manora