WARDHA

town, eastern Maharashtra state, western India, near the Wardha River, southwest of Nagpur. Situated on major routes between Nagpur and Bombay, it is closely linked with the history of Nagpur. The town was important in the national freedom movement; the Sevagram ashram (religious retreat) founded by Mohandas Gandhi close to Wardha was later the headquarters of Vinoba Bhave, a disciple of Gandhi. The town has several colleges affiliated with the University of Nagpur. The surrounding region lies within the Wardha River valley at the foot of the Satpura Range. Agriculture is the chief economic activity; crops include millet, cotton, and oilseeds. Pop. (1981) 88,495.