KHED

Khed (17° 40' N, 73° 20' E; p. 6477), the headquarters of Khed taluka, stands at the head of the Jagbudi river. Surrounded by hills, the town is oppressively hot during March, April and May. Its trade is carried on during the fair season only. A motorable road by Dapoli connects Khed with Harnai port at a distance of twenty-six miles and Satara is reached by a well-built road over the Amba-vali Ghat. An all-weather motorable road connecting it with Chiplun 24 miles south, and with Poladpur, twenty-three miles north, forms part of the Bombay-Konkan-Goa State Highway and places Khed in indirect communication with the routes to the Deccan by the Kumbharli and Mahabaleshvar Ghats. Boats of light draught work up on the tide from Dabhol and Anjanvel to Khed. The nearest railway station is Karad, 85 miles to the south-east.

Of the total population of 6,477, according to the Census figures of 1951, the agricultural classes number 1,125 and the non-agricultural classes 5,352. Of the latter, 1,061 persons derive their principal means of livelihood from production other than cultivation; 1,529 persons from Commerce; 260 persons from transport; and 2,502 persons from other services and miscellaneous sources.

Municipality.

The Khed municipality was established on 1st April, 1940, and is now governed under the Bombay District Municipal Act, 1901. It consists of 12 elected members; one seat is reserved for women and one seat for Scheduled Castes. The municipality elects, besides the managing committee, school, dispensary and sanitary committees.

In 1957-58, the total income of the municipality, excluding extraordinary and debt heads, totalled to Rs. 1,84,483, municipal rates and taxes being Rs. 1,36,454, revenue derived from municipal property and powers apart from taxation, Rs. 9,011, grants and contributions Rs. 20,153 and miscellaneous Rs. 18,865. The total expenditure for the same year, excluding extra-ordinary and debt heads, amounted to Rs. 2,94,236, composed of general administration and collection charges, Rs. 29,825, public safety Rs. 9,822, public health and convenience Rs. 1,79,850, public works Rs. 55,937, public instruction Rs. 3,149 and miscellaneous Rs. 15,653.

The water supply is from two nallas. The water of these nallas is stored by means of a weir and is brought to the town through pipes worked on the principle of gravitation. The weir works are located six miles away from Khed. A new water works scheme has been approved by Government, who have agreed to give 50 per cent, of the cost as grant-in-aid. The municipality has raised a loan of Rs. 1,80,000, towards meeting the cost.

There is no proper drainage system. Sullage is carried through stone-lined gutters. Some of it is carried to the river, but a portion is allowed to spread on the open land where it evaporates. Compost is prepared from this waste.

The municipality keeps a fire fighter.

There are about six and a half miles of roads of which three miles are metalled and the rest unmetalled.

The municipality has built a vegetable market having ten stalls. There is also a mutton market.

Compulsory primary education is managed by the District School Board. The municipality pays its annual statutory contribution. There is a high school conducted by the Khed Vyapari Dharmaday Education Society. The municipality pays a grant of Rs. 1,500 every year to this institution.

The municipality runs a dispensary with a maternity home attached to it.

There is a municipal park in the town as also two play-grounds under municipal management.

The municipality manages two cremation grounds for Hindus. There are four burial grounds for Muhammedans, managed privately by the community.

History.

No references to Khed have been traced. Before 1873, when it was made a separate Sub-Division, it was the head-quarters of a petty division under Dapoli or Suvarnadurg.

Rock Temples.

On the. side of a low hill to the east of the town are three small rock temples known as the 'Pandav Leni. Of their origin, nothing is locally known. Among several temples, none of architectural beauty, one is dedicated to the goddess Khedaji. There is also one Buddha Stupa.

Khed is being developed under Community Development Schemes There is a tailoring class, a tanning centre (1959), a training school in spinning and a basic school in carpentry and woodwork. Co-operative societies have been organized for various industries. Mahila Mandal and Youth Club, carry out social, cultural and sports activities. There is an inspection bungalow, for touring Government Officers. There is also a hostel for the boys of ex-servicemen in Khed, where free lodging and boarding is provided.

There are hot springs within the municipal limits.