Chandrapur, formerly known as Chanda until 1964, is a city and municipal corporation in the Chandrapur district of Maharashtra, India. It serves as the district headquarters for Chandrapur. The city’s foundation dates back to the 13th century when it was established as a fort city by Khandkya Ballal Sah, a Gond king. Situated at the confluence of the Erai and Zarpat rivers, the region surrounding the city is abundant in coal deposits, earning Chandrapur the moniker of the “Black Gold City.”

Marathi is the predominant language spoken in Chandrapur, while the native Gondi language is commonly used among the Gond community. Additionally, Hindi and English are also spoken by many.

Chandrapur holds prominence as a significant coal mining center, with about 27 coal mines in its vicinity as of 2012. The city is also engaged in diverse industries such as cement production, paper manufacturing, and ferro alloy manufacturing.

The city is home to a government medical college and engineering college. Its other educational institutions, except the medical college, are affiliated with Gondwana University.

For those exploring Chandrapur, notable places to visit include the historic Chandrapur Fort, Mahakali Mandir (temple), the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve, and the Anchaleshwar Mandir.