KOLHAPUR, Maharashtra

Main Attraction: Shahuji Chhatrapati Museum

‘Shahuji Chhatrapati Museum’, named after Chhatrapati Shahuji Maharaj of Kolhapur is the most prominent destinations of the city. Established in the year 1881, this museum is housed on the ground floor of the ‘New Palace Building’ of the Maharaja Palace. Shahuji Chhatrapati Museum is especially exalted for its wide collection of antique articles that earlier belonged to the royalty of Kolhapur.

The museum houses numerous possessions of Chhatrapati Shahuji Maharaj including costumes, jewellery, embroidery, weapons, games, silver elephant saddles, guns, trophies, artifacts, paintings, sculptures and other still art materials that represent the court life, and so on. The exteriors of the museum are surrounded by stunning gardens, a marvelous lake and a zoo that further add to the charisma of the place

Brief History

Kolhapur is one of the oldest cities in the country. It derives it importance from its past political association and its position as a great commercial historical religious and education centre. As a religious centre Kolhapur derives its appellation of Kashi of the south from the imposing ancient temple of Mahalakshmi also known as Ambabai. It is said to have been built by King Karnadeva of Chalukya Kingdom around 550 AD to 660 AD and embellished by the Silahara rulers of Kolhapur in the 9th century which represents the best Hindu architectural model of its kind.

According to ‘Puranas’ this tract of the country was originally called ‘Kurvir’ from the godessMahalakshmi wring her mace (Kur) in lifting her favoured retreat from the waters of the great deluge. According to another legend the name ‘Kolhapur’ is derived from the story that a demon ‘Kole’ (Kolhapur) was defeated and killed on a hill in the vicinity of Kolhapur. Fresh light has been thrown by the recent theory put forward by Prof.G.H. Khare. According to him the name might have been evolved by its geography. The original Kannada word ‘Kolla’ or ‘Golla’ (river bed) must be the source as the Kolhapur is situated on the bank of river Panchganga. Before the temple of Mahalakshmi was built, there appears to have been six centres of habitation or hamlets. 

The separate existence of these six centres vanished after building of Mahalakshmi temple, which became the centre of Kolhapur city. The history of Kolhapur can be broadly divided into three periods —early Hindu period reaching about A.D. 1347.— Muslim period lasting from A.D. 1347 to about A.D. 1700 and Maratha period since 1700. Around A.D. 500 Kadambas must have been succeeded the Andhrabhrtyas whose capital was at Palasika about 150 Kms south-east of Kolhapur. After the Kadambas the Kingdom was passed to the Chalukyas, Rastrakutas, Western Chalukyas, Kolhapur Silaharas and finally to the Yadavas of Devagiri.

Soon after the overthrow of the Yadavas by the Delhi Sultan in A.D. 1347 this area came under the Bahamani King of the Deccan and after the the Kings of Bijapur. The heroic conquests by the Shivaji of various forts held by Adilshah of Bijapur in the neighbourhood of Kolhapur like Panhala and Vishalgad in 1659, increased the commercial and also political importance of Kolhapur. Many wars have been fought at Vishalgad and Panhala by Shivaji and Adilshah of Bijapur. After the death of Shivaji Aurangzeb captured Panhala and Vishalgad at the beginning of 18th century but he could not hold them for a long time because the second son of Shivaji, Rajaram who had succeeded his father after the death of his elder brother Sammbhaji took up Panhala fort which was for many years the virtual capital of Kolhapur State. 

In 1782 the seat of Government was moved from Panhala to Kolhapur. The accession of RajarshiShahuChhatrapati to the throne when he was only ten years old.laid the foundation of a new modern era. His rule lasted 38 years from 1884 to 1922 and his authority extended to higher levels of socio-economic activities. During his rule he touched every aspect of social and economic life of his subjects.

In 1884 Kolhapur as a state had the following six subdivisions viz., Karvir, Panhala, Shirol, Ajra, Gadhinglaj and Bhudargad. In addition it had two petasRaybad under Shirol and Katkol under Gadhinglaj. In the year 1948, the Kolhapur state was merged with the Indian Nation. With the reorganization of states, the district was included in Bombay state in 1956. It forms a part of Maharashtra since 1960.

JALGAON, Maharashtra

Main Attraction: Parola Fort

Parola fort was built in 1727 and the size of the fort is 160 to 130-sqmeters. It is believed that the fort belongs to the father of the Great Rani of Jhansi, Laxmibai. Hence, Parola is believed to be the native of Rani Laxmibai.

Brief History

Much of the early history of the region now known as Jalgaon district is still obscure. It is the eastern part of what was formerly called Khandesh. The early name of Khandesh was Rasika. In 10-12th century A.D; it constituted a part of Seuna- desa under the Yadavas and later with the advent of Muslims it came to be known as Khaandesh-the country of Khans. In about the fifth century A.D. a portion of Khandesh seems to have been ruled by the Vakatakas. 

The main branch of this family was matrimonially connected with the Imperial Gupta dynasty and were a powerful force in Vidarbha. It is, however, the Vastagulma branch of the family which seems to have dominated the southern portion of Khandesh from their capital at Vatsagulma (modern Vasim, district-Akola). Their inscriptions are the first authentic records in the history of Jalgaon. It may incidentally be noted that some copper-plate grants of certain rulers named Svamidasa, Bhulunda and Rudradasa, dated in their regnal years, are believed to have flourished between A.D. 316-367. Two of these plates are issued from Valkha, which is identified as Vaghil, near Chalisgaon. Their contribution though useful for the reconstruction of the history of Khandesh is still problematical.

On 13th March 1795, the Nizam was defeated at Kharda by Marathas. By the treaty that followed, the Nizam had to cede his Khandesh possessions to the Peshwa. A considerable portion of Khandesh was possessed by the Holkar family, having been divided among the Peshwa. Sindia and Holkar. The part left to the Peshwa was formed into a separate subha. This subha “included Gaulana, Khandesh proper, Meiwar, Bejagur, Pallnemaur, Hindia”.

The present Jalgoan district formed a part of erstwhile Khandesh district. In 1906, the erstwhile Khandesh district was divided into two districts called West Khandesh and East Khandesh with their headquarters at Dhule and Jalgaon respectively.

SOLAPUR, Maharashtra

Main Attraction: Siddheshwar Temple

Temple is situated in the heart of the city The village god of Solapur is the yogi named Shree Siddheshwar. The temple of Siddheshwar is named after him and is situated in the midst of Bhuikot Fort. In the south side of the temple of Shree Siddheshwar is his Yogsamadhi. The Peshwas did the wooden work of the hall of the temple. In the west side of the temple is the lake in which the AmrutLinga is built. The 68 lingas brought by Shree Siddheshwar from Shaila are established in Solapur district.

The main temple comprises a Sabhagriha, the PharashiMandap, the anti chamber and the shrine. In the anti chamber in the centre of the back wall there is a Niche. The entire Niche is plated with Silver, as is the seat of Sinhasan of the deity. In the centre of the portion of the courtyard and near the path there is a Samadhi of Shree Siddheshwar. The temple is surrounded by the lake water. Temple constructed in stone and lime is said to have been built during 1836 to 1917 by many devotees.

And thus an important object of interest in the city is the temple of Siddheshwar, in whose honour the Gadda fair is held with great pomp and festivity. It is held to commemorate the marriage of the saints Yogdand (mace) with a female devotee of the saint. Important days of the fair are only five days via., 12th January to 16th January, the principal among them being 14th January (MakarSankrant). Many devotees throng the temple on Mahashivaratra and all Mondays in the month of Shravana. The priest of the deity belongs to the VeershaivLingayat caste. Pilgrims perform the worship with Rudra, LaghuRudra, MahaRudra etc.

Brief History

The history of Solapur can be traced back to the early centuries of the Christianera (BC-90 AD 300 or 80). Solapur probably formed part of the territories of the Shatakarni or Andhrabhritya dynasty whose capital was Paithan on the river Godavari. A Sanskrit inscription dated Shaka 1238 after the downfall of the Yadavas town was known as Sonalipur, later called as Sonalapur and Sandalapur. Hence it is probable that during the course of time, the name Solapur was evolved by dropping ‘na’ from throrigional name Sonalapur. As per the mythological literacy sources (Gazetteer). Agastya was the first Aryan sage who crossed the Vindhya mountains and settled on th banks of Godavari, followed by other sages,who established their hermitages in the South.

During the 900 years ending with the Musalmans overthrow of the DevgiriYadavas in the beginning of the fourteenth century, Solapur like the neighbouring district of Ahmadnagar, Bijapur and Pune was held by the early and Western Chalukyas from 550 to 760, by the Rashtrakutas to 973, by the revived or western chalukyas to 1184, and by the DevgiriYadavs till the Musalman conquest of the Deccan about 1300.

The Musalmans ruled during the period 1294-1720 before the advent of Britishers in 1818. After the victory of general Smith over the peshwas during the battle of 19th February 1818, the British ruled Solapur and appointed Maratha Raja’s as administrators.

At Solapur there is an ancient temple in honour of Siddheswar, a 12th Century devotee of Lord Shiva and it has become a sacred centre of Lingayat faith and also of Hindus. There is a annual piligrimage known as “Gadda” on MakarSankrant day and procession is held known as ‘procession of Kathis (Sticks). In fact this whole area is a meeting ground for Bhagwats from all over Maharashtra and Lingayats from Karnataka.

AHMADNAGAR, Maharashtra

Main Attraction: Ahmadnagar Fort

Built by Ahmed Nizam Shah in 1490, this is one of the best-designed and most impregnable forts in India. A target of countless invasions, the Ahmednagar Fort has taken many blows and come out relatively unscathed. It has changed hands many times over from the time of Mughal rule, and was used as a royal prison a number of times.

Brief History

The district of Ahmadnagar is named after Ahmadnagar town. The town is famous since the medieval times. In the year 1490 when Ahmad Nizam Shah, the founder of the Nizam dynasty defeated the Bahamani troops under Jahangir Khan near its site. This Victory was called the Victory of the Garden. Because on that spot Ahmad Shah built a palace and laid out a garden. In the year 1494 he laid the foundation of the city close to the bag Nizam upon the left bank of the sina river and called after himself Ahmad Nagar or the city of Ahmad.

Ahmadnagardistrict, popularly called Nagar and came into existance in 1818. In 1822, its boundaries spread between Vani in Dindori sub-division of Nashik and Karmala in Solapur district . In 1830 Solapur sub-collectorate was inducted in the district and continued as such till it gained the status of an independent collectorate in 1838. During 1837-38, Nashik subcollectorate comprising of sub-divisions of Sinnar, Chandor, Dindori, Nashik, Igatpuri and Peinttahsil was under Ahmadnagar district. Subsequently this sub-collectorate of Nashik was abolished in 1856 and the area reverted to Ahmadnagar district. 1869 witnessed the declaration of Solapur and Nashik as independent districts , thus leading to the shaping and emergence of present Ahmadnagar district.

In fact the district has a chequered history of evolution in as much as in 1891 it included the sub-divisions of Jamkhed, Newasa, Shrigonda, Shevgaon, Sangamner, Nagar, Kopargaon, Akola, Karjat, Parner and Rahuri. In 1913 PathardiPeta was created and the remaining part of Jamkhedtaluka was renamed as JamkhedMahal. Subsequently, Karjattaluka was down graded as KarjatPeta during 1931-41. 1941-51 was marked by the upgrading of Pathardi and KarjatPetas as KarjatTaluka. In 1945 Shrirampurtaluka came into being. Jurisdictional changes of 1950 resulted in the transfer of 21 villages from Bid district to Ahmadnagar district on the contrary the district had to lose 26 villages to Bid disrict and one village to Aurangabad district. With the reorganization of State, the district was incorporated into Bombay State in 1956. However since 1960, it constitutes a part of Maharashtra State.

NAGPUR, Maharashtra

Main Attraction: Deeksha bhoomi

Deeksha bhoomi is a sacred monument of Buddhism at the place where the architect of the Indian Constitution, Dr. Baba saheb Ambedkar, went back to Buddhism along with his followers on 14 October 1956. It is the biggest stupa in Asia erected in his memory at this divine point.

Brief History

Nagpur is patonised in 18th century by the Gond king BakhtaBuland. The region around Nagpur was flourishing in the early centuries of the Christian era, but the name of Nagpur was noticed for the first time in records of the tenth century A.D. A copper plate inscription of the Rashtrakuta king Krishna III dated in the shaka year 862, discovered at Devali in Wardha district, records the grant of a villagee situated in the Visaya (district) of Nagpur – Nandivardhana. Nandivardhana which was well known as an ancient capital of the Vakatakas, is now represented by the village Nandirdhana, about three miles from Ramtek. Nagpur, which was situated near it, may have marked the original site of the modern town of that name. Thus tradition, however, gives the credit for settling the town of Nagpur to the Gond king BakhtaBuland of Devagad.

The royal family of Bhoja was ruling over Vidarbha in ancient times. After the ancient period, Nagpur was at one time under the Yadavas of Devagiri. Nagpur under the Yadavas does not seem to have attained any political importance; like the western wing of the Yadava kingdom. By 1292 A.D. the Yadava power was at the height of its glory. It however, began to decline fast when Devagiri was invaded by Alla-uddinKhilji in 1294. RamchandraYadava was taken by surprise and completely defeated. The last ruler of the YadavasHarapailadeva, was defeated and killed in 1318 A.D. by qutb-ud-din Mubarak Shah. By this defeat Maharashtra passed into the hands of the Muslim rulers and Devagiri became a centre of Islamic culture.

The Gond rulers of Devagad are directly related with the history of Nagpur. After Gond Rajas, Nagpur district was ruled by BakhtaBuland who was a capable ruler. He extended his kingdom reaching up to the borders of bearer from North and East. He founded the city of Nagpur by joining the twelve small hamlets formerly known as RajapurBarsa or Barasta. BakhtBuland died in 1706 A.D. Nagpur attained importance under the sultan, the son and successor of Bakht. After BakhtBuland, had promised to continue the Raj of the Bhosles in perpetuity. But this term was very conveniently set aside and the Court of Directors in England concurring with the view of Lord Dalhousie, the Governer General, ordered that it had been determined on grounds, both of right and policy to incorporate the state of Nagpur with the British territories and Mr. Mansel was ordered to take charge of Nagpur as the first commissioner.

After freedom, and reorganisation of States in 1956.Nagapur along with the other districts of Vidarbha region became a part of the bilingual state of Bombay.

NASHIK, Maharashtra

Main Attraction: Trimbakeshwar Temple

The village of Trimbak, 36 kms from Nashik, is famous for the Trimbakeshwar Temple and as the source of the Godavari River. Trimbakeshwar enshrines one of the 12 jyotirlingas dedicated to Shiva and this one is considered to be the main jyotirlinga.

Legend has it that Guatam Rishi performed a rigorous ritual of prayer and penance or tapasya to Shiva on Brahmagiri Hill which rises above the present-day temple. Pleased with this devotion, Shiva is said to have blessed him and brought down to earth from heaven the sacred rivers of Ganga, Gautami and Godavari.

Brief History

It is believed that the name of Nashik district has its origin from the story of Ramayan. Lord Rama with his wife Sita and brother Laxmana stayed during their exile period at Panchavati, Nashik. Laxmana severed the nose (Nasika, a Sanskrit word) of Ravana’s sister Shurpnakha who insisted to marry Laxmana. Thus the name ‘Nashik’ was originated. The earliest literary mention of Nashik occurs in a Vattika of Katyayana (circa 250 B.C.) on Panini’s Sutra (VI, I, 63) as explained by Patanjali. Katyayan’s Vattika implies the name Nasikya, a city (Nagara) which was the same as modern Nashik. Later, the name occurs in several subsequent works such as the Brihtsambita of Varahamihira (6thcnetry A.D.), Vayu, Varaha and other Puranas. Nashik was however more famous as a holy pilgrimage centre than as the headquarters of the territorial division.

Nashik went through rules of different dynasties. The period of Yadava supremacy ended with the invasions of Muslims from the north under Alaud-din Khilji and Malik Kafur. For about twenty years after Ala-ud-din Khilji’s conquest (1294), most of the present day district of Nashik formed a part of the dominions of the territory of Sultan of Delhi (1317 A.D.) and then passed to the Bahamani King (1347-1490) of Gulbarga and lastly to NizamShahi King (1490-1630) of Ahmadnagar, subsequently, Nashik was included in the Mughal province of Aurangabad.

During Maratha regime Nashik district occupied a key position in Maharashtra. It was later liberated from Muslim Joke by Marathas and came under British rule in 1818. The present territory of Nashik district was formerly partly distributed in Khandesh and Ahmadnagar districts. In 1837-38 part of Ahmadnagar district consisting of Sinnar, Chandor, Dindori, Nashik including Igarpuri and Peint State were made into a sub-collectorate under Ahmadnagar. The sub-collectorate of Nashik was, however, abolished in 1856 and its talukas incorporated in Ahmadnagar district. In 1861, Nimarpeta under Sinnar and VaniPeta under Dindori were abolished and a new sub-division was formed with headquarters at Niphad. Headquarters of Karnaltaluka included in Trimbakpeta was transferred to Igatpuri town in the year 1861-62 and the name of the talukachaged from Karnai to Igatpuritaluka. In 1869, Nashik was made a fulfledged district, with eight sub- divisions of Ahmadnagar viz. Nashik, Sinnar, Igatpuri, Dindori, Chandor, Niphad, Yevla and Akola and three sub divisions namely Nandgaon, Malegaon and Baglan from Khandesh and Peint state. Shortly, afterwards Akola taluka was returned to Ahmadnagar. In 1875, Baglantaluka was divided into two talukas viz. Baglan or Satana and Kalwan. After the death of begam, Peint State became British territory and was made into sub division in 1878. There were no major changes in the district or taluka boundaries between 1901 to 1948.

Consequent upon the merger of Indian States a new Mahal known as Surganamahal consisting of the former Indian State of Surgana was created in 1949. In 1950,11villages were transferred to Aurangabad district. Two villages from Surat district were added to this district. Four villages were transferred to Dhule district. With the re-organisation of States in 1956, the district was included in Mumbai State, since 1960 it formed a part of Maharashtra.

MUMBAI SUBURBAN, Maharashtra

Main Attraction: Mount Mary Church, Bandra

The shrine of Our Lady of the Mount, popularly known as Mount Mary, is one of the most famous Christian shrines in India, situated on a Verdant hill-top overlooking the sea, the Church with its twin spires soaring into the sky present a picturesque landmark to all who cross the Mahim creek.

The shrine was founded by the Jesuits about 1568 to 1570 A.D. In 1640 it was enlarged into a Chapel. The present edifice was built in 1904 and is a fine example of Gothic architecture. The auditorium is about 125 ft. X 40 ft. and is paved with marble slabs. The altar is of pure marble. The statue of Our Lady is about 5 ft. high and holds an image of the Child Jesus in her right hand. In 1954, the church was raised to the status of minor Basilica. The walls are covered with paintings depicting the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Mount Mary fair is held during the octave following the feast on the 8th of September. Devotees come to pray and ask for favour and make their thanks giving in coins or offering consisting of candles or wax images.

Brief History

The Island of Mumbai passed from the Mohammedan kings of Gujarat to the Portuguese on 23rd December 1534. More than a hundred years Mumbai and its surrounding area was under the Portuguese rule. Later the transfer of the Island from the Portuguese to the British crown was effected on 18th February 1665 in accordance with the marriage treaty dated 23rd June 1661. The remaining land is bounded by Vasai creek at the north, Mahim creek at the south, Arabian sea at the west and Thane district at the east which was later came to be known as Sashti (Salsette) was under the control of Portuguese alongwith Goa. Sashti was under the Portuguese rule upto 1737. During 1772-73 and onwards the British took control over this area.

When Thane district was formed in the year 1817, the area known as Sashti was included in Thane as a tahsil. In 1917 BandraMahal was created separating 50 villages from this tahsil. In 1920 Salsettetahsil was bifurcated to form two separate tahsils viz., North Salsette (Thane district) and South Salsette (Mumbai Suburban district). The villages in south Salsette were scattered from Bandra to Dahisarand Kurla to Mulund. In the year 1920 Mumbai Suburban district created comprising the 84 villages of south Salsettetahsil. Later some villages from Borivalitahsil of Thane districts were transfered to Mumbai Suburban district and the south Salsettetahsil was transformed into Andheri tahsil.

In the year 1962, Kurla and Andheri tahsils were created by relocating some villages of Borivali and south Salsettetahsil. The present Mumbai (Suburban) district has three tahsil viz., Borivali, Andheri and Kurla tahsils consisting of 87 villages.

The independent post of collector of Mumbai Suburban district was abolished and the collector of Mumbai city was given the additional charge of Mumbai Suburban district in the year 1932. But later in the year 1958 due to the enormous work load, the revenue administration was handed over to the newly created post of Additional Collector. Since 1990 the Collector has been looking after the revenue administration as the Mumbai (suburban) district wihich is upgraded as a full fledged district.

The name Mumbai is derived from patron deity the Mother Goddess Mumba Devi worshiped by the earliest inhabitants the kolis. Later the Portuguese rechristened it as Bombay.

PUNE, Maharashtra

Main Attraction: Shaniwar Wada

Shaniwar Wada was established by Bajirao Peshwa-I. The main door is about twenty one feet tall. The architecture of Shaniwar Wada was influenced by Moghul design and the hallmark of the Maratha craftsmanship. The door located in the north of the palace was named `Mastani Darwaza`.The present feature of Shaniwar Wada is not the actual one. Seven Peshwas later restructured the monument.

Brief History

In the beginning of the Rashtrakuta rule we get reference to a ‘Vishaya’ or district with headquarters at Poona or Punya and Punak as it was then called. Hence the word ‘Pune’ might have been originated from the word ‘Punya’ or sacred. This Sacredness might have been attached to the town because of the confluence of two rivers viz. Mula and Muthain its vicinity. Punak with the passage of time degenerated into ‘Pune’.

The district has the shape of a triangle with its base in the Sahya Mountains on the west and its apex in the extreme southeast corner near the point of confluence of the Bhima and Nira rivers. Pune a settlement unit is of great antiquity, with Nane and Bhorghats opening out from the district. It appears to have been a centre of highways for trade and commerce for over 2000 years. 

The story revealed by the numerous Buddhist caves in the area dated the 2nd Century A.D. indicates the Buddhist influence. The inscriptions in Buddhist caves make mention of a number of important trading places within and without the country of various social and occupational sections of the people and of recognized industrial associations. From the inscriptions at the Nane pass it is clear that as early as about 90 B.C. Junnar was the capital of a king of the Deccan. It will not be an exaggeration to say that, Junnar which for a long time during the historical period has been the chief city of the Poona district is in fact one of the oldest towns in Western India.

The chalukyasRashtrakutas and Yadavas ruled Poona during the Hindu period (300-1294 A.D.). With the conquest of Devgiri by AlauddinKhilji in 1294 A.D. and the acceptance by Ramdeorao Yadav of the suzerainty of the Delhi rulers. Poona passed indirectly under the Muslim rule. The BahamaniNazimshah’s and Adilshah’s ruled Poona during the meditval Muslim period (1295-1720). The Marathas reigned Poona during 1720-1818 till the capture of Poona by the British troops. The year 1876 witnessed one of the worst famines in India History and parts of Poona especially the eastern ones, were lead sufferers. Then onwards Britisher’s ruled Poona from 1819-1947, until it was finally freed from the British Clutches by the Great Indian Freedom Fighters.

THANE, Maharashtra

Main Attraction: Thane, Lake City

Thane is known as the Lake City because of the umpteen lakes found there. Thane was the terminus of the first railway in India built from Mumbai in 1853 and was an important Portuguese trading center until the Marathas captured it in 1739. This city of lakes has many lakes and the some of them are Masunda Talao, Upvan Lake, Kacharali Talao, Makhamali Talao, Siddheshwar Talao, Bramhala Talao, Ghosale Talao, Railadevi Talao etc.

Brief History:

The documentary evidences available reveal that ‘Thane’ was formerly known and named as “Shreesthanak”. Thane is renowned historically for its great culture and rich heritage. In ancient times, Thane was an excellent port and commercial centre. From pre-historic times, Thane coast had relations with Egypt, Phoenicia, Babylon, Greece, Perthia and Persia. As far back as record remains for courage and enterprise, as traders, settlers and travellers both by land and sea, the Hindus held a high place among the dwellers on the shores of the Indian Ocean. The fact noticed by several Arab writers of the 9 th and 10 th centuries reveal that as is still the case in Mumbai, the trade tongue of the Thane part was Gujrathi.

An inscription of a Minister of his queen recording the gift of a cistern near a cave at Kanheri has been discovered, which shows that King Rudraman ruled North Konkan i.e. Thane and Colaba during 2nd century A.D. A passage in the Mahabharata describes ‘Arjun’ stopping at the most holy ‘Shurparak’ on his way to Somnath came across a place full of Brahmin temples, apparently at or near the Kanheri caves in Thane District. Formerly in Thane district there were five groups of caves in the small island of Sashti viz. at Kanheri, Kandivte, Jogeshwari, Mandapeshwar and Magathan.

The carving of Ashoka’s edict (BC 225) remains the earliest known fact in the history of Thane. The merchants who carried on Thane trade were local Hindus, Musalman and Parsi traders and not only inland trade but also the rich products were imported via Thane port. During the reign of the great Maushervan (531-578) when the Persians were the rulers of the commerce of the Eastern seas, the relations between western India and Persia were extremely close. The shilaharas ruled over North Konkan for more than 400 years. They gave liberal patronage to art and literature. The temples at Ambernath, Pelar and Walkeshwar, which are still extant; testify to the architectural and sculptural skill of the age. After the shilaharas, North Konkan saw the advent of Yadava rule crumbled after a heroic resistance by Harpaldev under Mahammedan rule.

Early in the fourteenth century the Turk rulers of Delhi forced their ways into Thane from two sides. From the North Alpkhan (1300-1318), who established the power of Ala-ud-din Khilji (1297-1317) in Gujarat, came south as far as Sanjan or Thana, then a place of wealth and trade, and after a sturdy and at first successful resistance, defeated the Chief of Sanjan and his war-like subjects, the Parsis. The Musalmans ruled during the period (1300-1500), A.D. After them came the Portuguese traders who rounded the Cape Hope and appeared on the Kalikat Coast in the 16th Century. Their object was to treat all Indians as friends and all Indian rulers as alias. Their only trade rivals were the Moors of Mecca, the Arabs and the Egyptians. The Portuguese were faithful allies never attacking others, except on occasions in self-defence. The 16th Century saw the advent and rise of Portuguese defeated Shivaji at sea. But he came perilously near them on land taking several ports in the North-East of Thane and attacking Ghod – Bunder in Salsette. The Marathas continued to rule the district till 1817 i.e., when the struggle between the British and the Peshwas came to an end and the power was transferred to the British.

Thane district of today formed a part of North Konkan district till 1817. It was the district Headquarters from olden times. Its boundaries have undergone numerous changes; some parts of South Konkan district were merged with North Konkan in 1830 and 1833. The expanded North Konkan district was renamed as “Thane’ district in 1833. On 16th April 1853, first railway line was opened for traffic from Bombay to Thane. The opening of this railway line is one of the most important landmarks in the economic development not only of the Bombay-Thane region but also of the outlying areas and hinterland. The British Government neither encouraged nor discouraged, the creation of local self-governing institutions like municipalities for which a demand was made by the local citizens. Thane district had its first municipality at Kalyan followed by Thane and Bhiwandi. The district was at par with other places in the country in social and cultural fields. The famous Marathi GranthaSangrahalaya was established in Thane in 1894, which is devoted to the collection of valuable books in Marathi language. In 1960, the bilingual State of Bombay was bifurcated and the present State of Maharashtra came into existence.

In 1969, the tahsil of Kalyan was bifurcated into Kalyan and Ulhasnagar and since then the district has experienced no jurisdictional changes. The Census town of New Mumbai (Thane) was added in 1982 in order to decongest Greater Mumbai by shifting population and office complexes to New Mumbai. Two new municipal corporations Thane and Kalyan were added after 1981, increasing the number of Corporations in the State from 5 in 1981 to 11 in 1991. The number of corporations again increased to 15 in 2001 Census. The 4 corporations added are Navi-Mumbai, Ulhasnagar, Sangli-Miraj-Kupwad and Nanded-Waghela. Within the district, with the addition and deletion of villages and towns in municipalities and municipal corporations, the number of villages has increased from 1,697 in 1991 to 1,748 in 2001. The number of towns has also increased from 23 in 1991 to 37 in 2001 and also tahsils from 13 to 15 (Vikramgad and Ambarnath are new tahsils). At present, Thane district has 51 towns and 1721 villages (including 17 uninhabited villages) distributed among the 15 tahsils.