MAHBUBNAGAR

town, administrative headquarters of Mahbubnagar district, west central Andhra Pradesh state, southern India. Located on the Central Railway route southwest of Hyderabad, Mahbubnagar is also a road centre. Cotton ginning and cotton pressing, as well as oilseed and rice milling, are the main industries. The town also has a college. Mahbubnagar district (7,112 sq mi [18,419 sq km]) is located on the Deccan Plateau and is bounded on the south by the Krishna River. Well-forested hills in the southeast yield teak, ebony, and gum arabic, while the largely sandy soils produce millet, oilseeds, and rice. It is said that the famous Golconda diamonds came from this district. Industrial centres include Narayanpet (which produces silks and saris), Devarkonda, and Nagar Karnul. Pop. (1981) town, 87,503; district, 2,444,619.