Beed (Marathi: Beed, Urdu: Br) is a town and administrative headquarters of the district of the same name located in central Maharashtra state of India. According to 2001 census, it is the largest urban area in the district with a population of 138,091. Calculated population of 2010 is 161,604. It ranks 295th in population in India. Nearly 36% of the districts urban population lives in the town alone. It has witnessed roughly 23% population growth during 19912001 decade. Its official name is Beed, though; Bhir, Bir, Br, Bid or Bd can also be seen sometimes in official and unofficial documents and seals. Some references like Encyclopdia Britannica refer it as Bhir, Encyclopedia Encarta as Br and Google Maps as Bir while it is found at World Gazetteer as Bd. In 1990s during the government of right wing Hindu party Shiv Sena in Maharashtra, Beed town was proposed to be renamed as Champavatinagar, which is said to be its old name. Beed's early history is obscure....
