Gadwal

Gadwal, a fort town, is located in Mahbubnagar District of Telangana. It is located 188 km from the state capital Hyderabad. Gadwal has an average elevation of 325 metres from the sea level.

History of Gadwal shows that Gadwal Samsthanam was once part of Raichur district (though it is now in Mahabubnagar district). It was once ruled by a local ruler called Somashekar Ananda Reddy, fondly called "Somanadrihails" from Poodoor village.

Gadwal has developed around a fort built by the Gadwal ruler Somanadri. This Gadwal Samsthanam was protected by Mallichetti Vamshiyulu. The Nagi Reddy fondly known as Nagappa was an Ayngarashakulu of Gadwal samsthanam. He died in a war with fanatic Sultans. Then Narsappa succeeded his father Nagappa as Gadwal Samsthanam Ayngarashakulu, but unfortunately for some reason he had to leave the palace of Gadwal.

Gadwal had a population of 968,491 in 1901 consisted of Gadwal town and 214 villages. It covered an area of 864 square miles. According to 2001 population census, Gadwal had a population of 51,428. The males constitute 51 percent of the population and females 49 percent. Gadwal has an average literacy rate of 57.3 percent, lesser than the national average of 68.6 percent. The male literacy rate is 66.6 percent, and female literacy is 47.6 percent. In Gadwal, 13 percent of the population is under 6 years of age.

Economy of Gadwal is concentrated with the Gadwal  Sarees. Gadwal is known for its handloom Jari Sarees, which is popularly known as Gadwal sarees. The local weavers can weave the 5.5 meters of  Saree fabric in such a way that it can be folded down to the size of a small match box. Gadwal sarees have been worn since the 1930s. There are cotton sarees with an attached silk border and silk pallu.

Gadwal is famous for the Chennakesava Swamy Temple, built by the Rajas of Gadwal in the 17th century. Gadwal is also famous for handloom sarees spun in cotton and silk known as Gadwal silk. At a distance of 20 km from Gadwal is the Kurumurthy village, which is the site of Sri Kurumurthy Srinivasa Swamy Temple.

Gadwal is an intersection town in Mahbubnagar District of Telangana. This town of colourful sarees is well connected to other towns and cities by railways and roadways. The railway station is on Secunderabad Kurnool line. Gadwal got connected by rail to Raichur District of Karnataka. Gadwal is also connected with the roadways. Gadwal is 15 kilometres away from the National Highway 44.