Mahad
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Mahād
Raigad Nagari | |
---|---|
UTC+5:30 (IST) | |
PIN | 402301 (Mahad City), 402309 (Mahad MIDC/Birwadi) |
Telephone code | 02145 |
Vehicle registration | MH-06 |
Website | www |
Mahad (ⓘ [məɦaːɖ]) is a city in Raigad district (formerly Kulaba district) situated in the North Konkan region of Maharashtra state, India. It is located 108.5 km (67.4 mi) from District Headquarters Alibag, and 167 km (104 mi) from Mumbai. Mahad is known for Raigad Fort, the capital of the Maratha Empire in Shivaji's era and the revolutionary Mahad Satyagraha launched by (Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar) at Chavdar Tale (Tasty Lake) in the wake of modern India.
History
History of Mahad
Mahad, a town nestled in the Konkan region (History of Mahad) of Maharashtra, India, holds a significant historical and cultural legacy. With a rich past that dates back to ancient times, Ma-had has witnessed the rise and fall of empires, played a vital role in the Indian independence movement, and now stands as a thriving modern town.
Chavdaar Tale Satyagraha
It is famous for the Chavdaar Tale's satyagraha of Bhimrao Ambedkar at Chavdar Tale, which is a large public water tank in Mahad town.[1] Ambedkar with his followers of over 2,500 Dalits marched to the tank. In the March some upper caste people also participated, who use to admired Bhimrao's ideology. Ambedkar was the first to take his hand and sip water from the tank, followed by the rest. This was a revolutionary step for the time and broke the taboo of caste discrimination. This came to be known as the Mahad Satyagraha.[2] Many disciples of the Buddha and followers of B.R. Ambedkar visit Chavdaar Tale every year on Kranti Din (Day of Revolution).
However, this was not the end of the struggle. There was tremendous backlash from the rest of the community and some even performed a purification ritual to counter the act of revolution.[citation needed][3] Ambedkar made another statement by burning the Hindu book Manusmriti at the very same spot on 25 December 1927.[2]
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Raigad fort
Mahad has a glorious history during the rule of the Maratha king Shivaji. The capital of Hindavi Swarajya and Samadhi of Chhatrapati Shivaji is at Raigad fort. which is around 24 km (15 mi) from the city. It was part of Birwadi Subha (Tehsil) and was ruled by Birwadi Subhedar's Kadams (Mahamunkars).[citation needed] The village Umarath of Tanaji Malusare & Kinjaloli of Murarbaji are also in the vicinity of Mahad.
Shivtharghal and Daasbodh
The Shivtharghal is the birthplace of Samarth Ramdas, author of the spiritual book Dasbodh.
Mahad Port
Mahad was a flourishing port in the past. The Gul (Jaggery) of Shahupuri Kolhapur and Satara was exported to Gujarat via Mahad. Since the banks of Savitri river changed during the course of time, only creek water fishing is carried out and Mahad is no longer a port.
Gandharpale Buddhist Caves
According to the mythological story, Gandharpale Caves are the sculptured houses built in one night by the Pandavas.[citation needed] Originally these caves are Buddhist caves build during the reign of Prince Vishnupalita Kanbhoja.[4]
2016 Flood in Sawitri river
In 2016, a major flood hit Mahad because of the collapse of the British era bridge on Mumbai-Goa highway and caused great losses. The incident resulted in the loss of 42 lives.[5]
Several disasters like floods and landslides have continuously devastated markets and old houses, specifically classic Konkani-styled architecture, causing great loss of life. This is primarily due to lower elevation of the city compared to surrounding areas and being surrounded by rivers on all sides, making the city like a triangular island. Also, Konkan, receives predominantly very heavy rainfall in comparison to rest of Maharashtra.[6][7]
Geography
Mahad is situated at southernmost tip of Raigad district in Konkan region at an altitude of 59 ft (18 m) and is surrounded by Sahyadri Mountains. Savitri river originates from Savitri Point in Mahabaleshwar and flows through Mahad to the delta in Arabian sea via Bankot.
Mahad has a tropical climate and witnesses heavy rainfall during
Demographic
As of 2011 India Census, Mahad has a population of 1,80,191.
Tourist attractions nearby
Raigad, popularly known as "Gateway of Konkan", is among the city's tourist destinations. Other attractions include:
- Raigad Fort
- Pratapgad Fort
- Gandhar Pale Buddhist Caves
- Shivthar Ghal
- Lingana Fort
- Birwadi Fort
- Warandha Ghat
- Mulshi-Tamhini Ghat (Bhira)
- Poladpur
- Mahabaleshwar
- Vireshwar Temple
- Chavdaar Tale Park
- Walan kond
- Mandala waterfall
- Sav hot water spring
- Kol caves
- Mangad
- Hari-Hareshwar, Shrivardhan and Diveagar Beach
- Dapoli-Mandangad Beach
Etymology
The word "Mahad" is derived from
The oldest reference of Mahad is found in historical documents in 225 BC. Around 130 AD, Mahad was under rule of Buddhist king Vishnu Pulit of Kambhoja dynasty. He built the Gandharpale caves opposite to Mahad port. Under his rule, Mahad was a port and business centre which continued until British Raj. The development of Mahad as a business centre continued under the rule of Yadavas of Deogiri in the 13th century. Yadavas were the first make Marathi the official language of Maharashtra. Mahad was taken by British in 1818 and was a place of administrative work when Raigad fort was made the capital of Shivaji.
Festivals
Mahad is one of the well-known holiday destinations in Konkan region. The festivals most celebrated by local people are Holi (which falls in summer around the month of March) and Ganpati festival (which falls during the monsoon, around the month of September).[citation needed]
Shimga Festival
The most important festival among whole
Shimgotsav in Mahad
Vireshwar is the most-worshipped local deity of Mahad. The temple of Vireshwar was believed to be constructed during or before Shivaji's reign. A local fair is organised during shimga called "Mahad chi Jatra", uniquely known as "Chabina Utsav of Mahad". The "Palkhis" of seven sisters of Vireshwar who are Gram-devi (goddess) of nearby villages and towns like Mangaon, Poladpur and Khed are brought at Vireshwar Temple in Mahad. Goddess Zolai Devi is considered the most favourite sister of Vireshwar. The people are so devoted that they bring Palkhis from many miles far villages by walking, sometimes bare-footed, they consider this holy and sacred and feel lucky to be part of it.
Economy
Central Market
Mahad was the central market for people of
Mahad M.I.D.C. and Economic Corridor
Mahad MIDC
Mahad is now well-developed with town infrastructure. Mahad MIDC which is set up near
- Pidilite
- Piramal Healthcare
- Sandoz
- Vinati Organic
- Lakshmi Organic
- Hikal Ltd.
- Maharashtra Aldehydes
- Sudarshan
- Maharashtra Seamless
- EMBIO
- Privi Organics India Limited[8]
Mahad consists of two Industrial zones - Mahad-Birwadi and Mahad Additional Industrial zone.
Bharatmala
Mahad is part of proposed Panvel-Mahad-Chiplun-Panjim Economic corridor under Bharatmala Project.
Civic Administration
Mahad falls under the
Transport
Airways
Nearest airports:
- Navi Mumbai International Airport, Ulve-Panvel, Navi Mumbai
- CSIA, Mumbai
- Pune International Airport, Lohagaon, Pune
Railway
Road
National Highway NH 66 (previously known as NH 17) passes through Mahad.[citation needed] It connects Panvel (Southern Navi-Mumbai) to Kanyakumari, passing through the states of Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.
MSRTC
Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation has a bus depot at Mahad for public transport. Buses plying from Khed, Chiplun, Ratnagiri have halt at Mahad MSRTC Bus depot.
GSRTC
Many people from Mahad commute to cities like Surat, Vapi and Valsad in Gujarat from even before the Independence. For inter-state public transport, Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation started buses from Mahad and Poladpur bus stand which are under operations of Mahad MSRTC Bus Depot to Surat and other cities of Gujarat.
Notes
- ^ today, Team Ambedkarite (23 October 2019). "Mahad Satyagraha - The First Battle launched by Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar". The Ambedkarite Today. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
- ^ a b Harad, Tejas (19 March 2017). "The Significance Of Mahad Satyagraha: Ambedkar's Protest March To Claim Public Water". Feminism In India. Retrieved 9 April 2020.
- ^ SETALVAD, TEESTA (20 March 2021). "Mahad Satyagraha: After 94 years, do we have Equality, Dignity & Access?". Sabrang India. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
- ISBN 8170307740.
- ^ Mendonca, George (14 September 2016). "Mahad: Locals shun fish from Mahad river where 42 drowned". The Times of India. Retrieved 9 April 2020.
- ^ Mahād (Approved) at GEOnet Names Server, United States National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency
- ^ "Mahād". World Gazetteer. Archived from the original on 17 February 2013.
- ^ "Contact us - World's Leading Aroma Chemical Manufacturer, Supplier and Exporter".
- ^ "Raigad Lok Sabha Election Results 2019 Live: Raigad Constituency Election Results, News, Candidates, Vote Paercentage". News18. Retrieved 9 April 2020.