Shirwal

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Shirwal is a census town in Satara district, Maharashtra, India. It lies on the banks of the Nira River, between Satara and Pune, at about 18.13°N 73.98°E and an elevation of 603 meters.

As of the 2001 census, Shirwal had a population of 11,887, with 52% males and 48% females. The literacy rate is 72% (78% for men and 66% for women), and 13% of residents are under 6 years old.

Shirwal has historical roots dating back to the era of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and features a small fort named Subhanmangal, notable for Shivaji’s first open battle against Adil Shahi forces. After independence, it was a small outpost on the Pune-Kolhapur route.

In 1999, the Golden Quadrilateral highways project brought a major change when the Delhi-Mumbai-Chennai-Kolkata highway was routed through Shirwal. This boosted industrial growth, making Shirwal a key location between Pune and Satara. Many companies, including Godrej, ACG, and Spica Industries, have set up factories there, fueling a housing boom.

Shirwal is well connected by road via National Highway 48 (part of the Golden Quadrilateral). The nearest airport is Pune, and the closest railway stations are Lonand and Nira. The town also has several educational institutions, including Krantisinh Nana Patil College of Veterinary Science, one of six veterinary colleges under the Maharashtra Animal & Fishery Sciences University (MAFSU), Nagpur, established in 1988, along with numerous primary and higher secondary schools.