information about this town. Medieval History During the middle of the 18th century, Washim was a famous centre of cloth production along with Balapur. It is clearly brought out by one of the articles of the treaty of Kanakpur entered into between Janoji Bhonsle and the Peshwa Madhavrao I after the battle between the two in 1769. The article states that the Bhosle's should send annually to the Peshva cloth manufactured at Washim and Balapur worth Rs. 5,000. Mint was also in existence at Washim. The town was looted by the Pindaris in 1809 along with some other places in Berar region. When in 1768–69, the Peshva attacked the Bhosle, his army had come from Aurangabad through the pass to Washim from which place it moved forward on its expedition. Afterward, it was decided that the Peshva Madhavrav and Janoji Bhosle should meet at Washim and accordingly the terms of the treaty were finalized there and the treaty was signed at Kanakpur. The temple of Balaji at Washim was constructed by Bhavani Kaloo who was the Divan of Sabaji Bhosle. However, before the establishment of the Vakataka rule with Washim as their capital, the place was an important center from the religious point of view and it even now contains many old temples and tirthas which are revered by the people. Demographics India census, Washim had a population of 78,387. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Washim has an average literacy rate of 70%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 76%, and female literacy is 62%. In Washim, 15% of the population is under 6 years of age. Civic administration The municipal council was established at Washim in 1869 and is now governed under the Maharashtra Municipalities Act, 1965. It covers, according to the Census of 1961, an area of 42.16 square km. The municipal council is composed of 18 members with two seats each being reserved for the scheduled castes and women. With a view to providing various facilities to the town's people, the municipality conducts primary schools and a high school and maintains a dispensary. The underground drainage system is present in the town. Also, there are stone-lined gutters and sewage. The meeting hall of the municipality is used by the town's people as a town hall. Protected piped water is supplied to the town, but wells and Ek Burji Dam