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Imperial Gazetteer of India, v. 5, p. 114.

II4 AHMADNA GAR DISTRICT The District possesses some cave temples and numerous Hemadpanti remains dating from the twelfth century. The Brahmanical Dhokesh- war caves in Parner are ascribed to the middle of the sixth century, and the caves and temple of HARISCHANDRAGARH to the Hemadpanti era. A few Musalman buildings, now reduced to ruins, are to be found in AHMADNAGAR CITY. A beautiful little mosque known as the Damri Masjid stands to the north of the fort. Hemadpanti temples, built of stone pieced together without mortar, and ascribed by the people to the Gauli-rij, which are found at SHRIGONDA, Pedgaon, Haris- chandragarh, Akola, Jamkhed, Rassin, Telangsi, and many other places, appear to have been built in the days of the Yadavas of Deogiri. The Lakshml Narayan temple at Pedgaon is profusely decorated, and its outer walls are richly embellished with sculptured figures. It belongs to the thirteenth century. There are numerous forts of historic interest in the District. At Manjarsamba, 8 miles north of Ahmadnagar, a fort crowning the Dongargaon hill is said to have been the favourite haunt of Valmiki, the author of the Ramayana, and reputed founder of the Mahadeo Kolis. The forts of Palia and Harischandragarh have already been mentioned. At the end of the Pravara valley, i8 miles west of Akola, is the fort of Ratangarh, the rock-hewn gates of which com- mand a magnificent view over the Konkan. The forts are supplied with water by cisterns cut in the rock of the hills on which they stand. Temples of importance are found at Sidhtek and Miri. The number of towns and villages in the District is 1,349. The population at the last four enumerations was: (1872) 777,251, (i88I) Population. 750,02i, (i891) 888,755, and (1901) 837,695. The dee decline during the last decade was due to the famine of i896-i900. The distribution in I901 was as follows:- Tatzuka. Kopargaon .519 Akola . . 572 Sangamner . 704 Rahuri . . 5o Nevasa . 62 Shevgaon. . 678 Parner . . 72 Ahmadnagar .624 Jamkhed . 46 Shrigonda . 65 Karjat . I 56 Total 6,586 Number of o · 0 o c E uc c .e; o-.d ~ c e I I'l0C ,ao eo 0 I 122 73,539 I42 - 8 3,175 . 57 7,566 123 + 4 1,557 151 90,381 i28 + 9 3,584 I 112 83,494 I67 + 29 4,038 147 65,503 105 - 26 3,574 1 179 92,384 i36 - 8 4,059 .. 117 72,617 00 - 8 2,344 2 I17 128,094 205 + 3 10,139 I 75 64,258 140 - i6 2,997 1 83 61,240 I00 - 8 2,310 8. 35,619 63 - 28 I,350 8 I,341 837,695 127 - 6 39,27