# Washim

> city in Maharashtra, India; capital of Washim district

**Wikidata**: [Q2299018](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2299018)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washim)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/washim

## Summary
Washim is a city and large human settlement located in the Washim district of Maharashtra, India, serving as the district's administrative capital. Historically, the city held significant prominence as the capital of the Vakataka empire under the name Vatsagulma. Situated at an elevation of 546 meters above sea level, Washim spans an area of 47 square kilometers and recorded a population of 62,863 during the 2001 census.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Washim is a city and large human settlement.
- **Location:** It is located in Washim district, Maharashtra, India, with geographic coordinates at 20.1° latitude and 77.15° longitude.
- **Area:** The city covers a total area of 47 square kilometers.
- **Elevation:** Washim sits at an elevation of 546 meters above sea level.
- **Population:** The population was recorded as 62,863 in 2001.
- **Capital Status:** It is the capital of Washim district and was historically the capital of the Vakataka empire.
- **Timezone:** The city observes the UTC+05:30 timezone.
- **Official Name:** The official names are "Washim" in English and "वाशिम" in Devanagari script.
- **Aliases:** The city is also known by the names Wāshīm, Vasim, Wasim, Basim, and Vatsagulma.
- **Postal Code:** The postal code for Washim is 444505.
- **Dialing Code:** The local dialing code is 7252.
- **Official Language:** The official language is Marathi.
- **UN/LOCODE:** The UN/LOCODE for Washim is INWAS.
- **Borders:** Washim shares a border with Akola.
- **SNARC ID:** The assigned SNARC ID is 1467.

## FAQs
**Where is Washim located and what are its geographic coordinates?**
Washim is situated in the Washim district of Maharashtra, India, and serves as the capital of that district. Its precise geographic coordinates are 20.1° N latitude and 77.15° E longitude.

**What was the historical significance of Washim?**
Historically, Washim was known as Vatsagulma and served as the capital of the Vakataka empire. It is also referred to by other historical names such as Basim, an entry documented in the 1911 edition of the Encyclopædia Britannica.

**What are the primary administrative and identification codes for Washim?**
The city uses the postal code 444505 and the local dialing code 7252. Internationally, it is recognized by the UN/LOCODE INWAS and has a GeoNames ID of 1252908.

**What is the population and size of Washim?**
Washim covers an area of 47 square kilometers and has an elevation of 546 meters above sea level. According to data from the 2001 census, the city had a population of 62,863.

**In what languages is Washim documented online?**
Information about Washim appears on Wikipedia in 28 different languages, including but not limited to English, Marathi, Hindi, Russian, and Chinese. The city is also the subject of a Quora topic titled "Washim-Maharashtra-India."

## Why It Matters
Washim serves as a critical administrative hub as the capital of Washim district in Maharashtra, managing governance and infrastructure for the region. Its historical significance is profound, having acted as the seat of power for the Vakataka empire under the name Vatsagulma, linking the modern city to ancient Indian dynasties. The city's documentation across diverse sources, from the Marathi Vishwakosh to the Encyclopædia Britannica and numerous global Wikipedia editions, underscores its enduring cultural and geographic relevance.

## Notable For
- Serving as the ancient capital of the Vakataka empire under the name Vatsagulma.
- Possessing a rich history of aliases, including Basim, Vasim, Wasim, and Wāshīm.
- Being featured in the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica under the entry for "Basim."
- Having a dedicated entry in the Marathi Vishwakosh, a prominent Marathi-language encyclopedia.
- Being located at a specific elevation of 546 meters above sea level with a defined UN/LOCODE of INWAS.

## Body

### Geography and Location
Washim is a large human settlement classified as a city, located entirely within the Washim district of Maharashtra, India. It is geographically positioned at coordinates 20.1° latitude and 77.15° longitude. The city encompasses a total land area of 47 square kilometers and sits at an elevation of 546 meters above sea level. Washim shares a border with the neighboring entity of Akola and operates within the UTC+05:30 timezone.

### Administration and Identity
As the capital of Washim district, the city functions as the primary administrative center for the region. The official name of the city is "Washim" in English, with the native official name being "वाशिम" in Marathi. Marathi is recognized as the official language of the city. For administrative purposes, Washim is assigned the postal code 444505 and the local dialing code 7252. The city is also identified by the UN/LOCODE INWAS and has a SNARC ID of 1467.

### Demographics
Demographic data from the 2001 census indicates that Washim had a population of 62,863. The city is defined by its status as an urban human settlement, supporting a community within the distinct geographic boundaries of the Washim district.

### History
Historically, Washim holds significant importance as it was the capital of the Vakataka empire, known during that period as Vatsagulma. The city has been documented under various aliases throughout history, including Basim, which was the subject of an entry in the 1911 edition of the Encyclopædia Britannica. Other historical names for the city include Vasim, Wasim, and Wāshīm. It is also described as a subject in the Marathi Vishwakosh, highlighting its cultural and historical standing in Marathi literature.

### External Identifiers and References
Washim is cataloged in numerous global databases and information systems:
- **Database IDs:** It has a Freebase ID of /m/04fht3, a GeoNames ID of 1252908, a Who's On First ID of 102028223, and a GNS Unique Feature ID of -2114714.
- **Mapping and Weather:** The city is listed with an OpenStreetMap node ID of 245687196 and an OpenWeatherMap city ID of 1252908.
- **Online Presence:** The city has a significant footprint on Wikipedia, with 28 sitelinks across languages such as Bengali, Catalan, German, Spanish, French, Russian, and Chinese, among others.
- **Media:** A locator map image is available via Wikimedia Commons, and pronunciation audio is hosted on the platform as well.
- **Social and Community:** The city is associated with the Quora topic "Washim-Maharashtra-India."

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
2. GeoNames
3. [Source](https://service.unece.org/trade/locode/in.htm)