From the time of Emperor Ashoka onwards, the region of Konkan is known. Existence of Konkan originally dating back to 40,000 years ago is evidenced by some ancient human tools.
The Raigad district has a history since the Iron Age. Mauryas, Satavahanas, Kshatrapas, Traikutaks, Kalchuris, Konkan Mauryas, Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, Shilahars, Yadavs, Bahmanis, Sultans of Gujarat, Nizamshahi of Ahmednagar, Portuguese, Siddhis, Marathi, Mughals, Angres and British ruled this territory.
Visit WebsiteAlibaug is located in Raigad district on the Konkan coast in the west of Maharashtra.
Around 2000 years ago, Chaul and Revdanda were prosperous places and international trade was carried out from here. Silk weavers were famous here and there was also trade in spices. Imports and exports were carried out from here to various countries of the world. Around this time, various trade routes were established here. Probably along a similar route, Buddhist caves were carved at Mandad, just beyond Murud Janjira.
In the 17th century, the Maratha Empire’s general Sarkhel Kanhoji Angre founded the city of “Alibag”. The earlier name of Raigad district was “Kulaba” district. The villages of Revdanda, Chaul, Nagaon, Akshi, Varsoli, Thal, Kihim and Awas were known as “Ashtagare” at that time. Alibaug was a major place in the Ashtagara during the Angre period. And the main place of Angre’s fleet, of course, a lot of trade was carried out from here and from the nearby Chaul port. In the later period, the British also came here. Each of them introduced their own currency. The Angre government had an independent mint. Before the introduction of British currency, the old Colaba rupee of the Angre government, the later new Janjira – Colaba rupee and the Alibaug copper money came into existence in the district. In 1842, the value of 100 British rupees was 88.6 Alibaug rupees.Of course, the Alibaug rupee was worth more.
Alibag RupeeThe previous name of Raigad district was “Culaba” district. During that time, many battles took place here. In 1722, the British and Portuguese jointly attacked Colaba, but they lost that battle. In 1852, Alibag was declared as the place of the taluka.
This village was originally located near the bay on the island of Chaul. These different islands were later connected by roads and bridges and transformed into a single city. Chaul was a major port at that time, which made the area famous and important. In the 17th century, this area got the name Alibaug. In earlier times, Ramnath was the main village in this area. The name Ramnath became popular due to the Ram temple located in this area. Since this is the main village, the temple of the village goddess is also located in Ramnath.
History and prosperity of the city of Alibag:
Alibaug got a new look during the reign of Sarkhel Kanhoji Angre. During this period, Alibaug truly got developed. He developed the area on the island into a prosperous city. During this period, roads, temples were built and old temples were renovated. The beautiful city of “Alibagh” was built near the Colaba Fort, near the seashore. The area was transformed. Many construction and development works were completed during Angre’s reign. Many temples have been renovated, including Maruti Temple, Balaji Temple, Ram Temple, Kashi Vishweshwar Temple, Kalambika Temple, Ganapati Temple, Vitthal Rakhumai Temple, Datta Temple, and Vishnu Temple. There are Muslims and Christians in Alibaug as well as Hindus. There are ancient mosques as well as temples. There is also an ancient church here. There is Colaba Fort near the Alibaug coast. There is also Hirakot Fort in the city. In 1698, Kanhoji Angre became the chief of the navy. Kanhoji Angre’s residence was in Colaba Fort. He had chosen Alibaug for the navy, the palace, as well as for the palace and the treasury. Therefore, this city has historical importance.
Kanhoji Aangre Samadhi
In 1839, the British came to power there. In 1840, Alibag was made the headquarters of the Colaba Agency. And in 1852, Alibag became the place of a taluka. Due to its proximity to the Mumbai port, Alibag was important for sea traffic. In 1869, Colaba district was created and the headquarters of this district was made at Alibag.
Later, although the district of Colaba was renamed as “Raigad” in 1981, the headquarters remained in Alibaug. Alibaug city has a historical background. Angre’s palace is located here.
Geomagnatic Observatory –
There is a magnetic observatory near Hirakot Fort in Alibaug city. This observatory was established in 1904 and this building is completely made of stone and has been built in a special way without using iron during construction. This observatory, which records the changes in the magnetic force on the Earth, is a unique example of science and is of world class. The Alibaug observatory was built to accurately predict the weather and to research and chart the ferromagnetic force in the interior of the Earth for many important purposes such as fishing, maritime transport, agriculture, etc.
Geomagnatic Observatory
Ramdas Boat Disaster
If we recall the history of Alibaug, we definitely remember one day – July 16, 1947. On the day of Deep Amavasya, due to a sudden change in the weather in the sea between Mumbai and Rewas, the Ramdas, a small boat, was sunk in the sea. Approximately seven hundred and seventy five people lost their lives in this disaster.
Ramdas Boat Disaster
Some Historical Events
- The unique graph of bravery of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, Sarkhel Kanhojiraje Angre and Peshwa is engraved on the historical bravery plaque of Raigad.
- In the modern era of Raigad, the process of ideological awakening accelerated.
Among them are Gopal Hari Deshmukh, a publicist who praised the views of Jyotiba Phule, Vishnu Bhikaji Gokhale of Mahad, Govind Vitthal Kunte, maker of Prabhakar from Pen, Vishnubuva Brahmachari of anti-untouchability thoughts, Narayan Sadashiv Marathe, a revolutionary social reformer and Swami Kevalananda Saraswati, Vishnu Bhatt Godse, an eyewitness of Rani Lakshmibai's Jhansi struggle, Vishnu Bhatt Godse of Varsai. etc.'s contribution was significant. - The contribution of Shirdhon's armed revolutionary Vasudev Balwant Phadke is defining revolution
- Here is the fiery history of freedom movement
- Mahadev Ballal Namjoshi and Shivram Mahadev Paranjape were active here as well as nationalist thinkers of Lokmanya Tilak and Gopalkrishna Gokhale.
- Vaman Malhar Joshi, Brother Narayan Malhar Joshi, Atmaram Mahadev Atwane, Madhavrao Gosavi, Rambhau Mandlik, Vishnu Govilkar, Vitthal Tamhankar were the pioneers in the ideological and national movement.
- The contribution of Madhavrao Gosavi of Alibaug, Vaman Govind Limaye and senior Gandhian journalist Ganesh Bhaskar Pandit were important in the non-cooperation movement called by Mahatma Gandhi on 1 August 1920. .
- The modern era of the district began after the middle of the nineteenth century. At the beginning of the 20th century, social convergence and political awareness began.
- Pebble implements found in caves at Pachad (Raigad) prove Paleolithic human existence in Konkan 40,000 years ago.
- The land of Raigad has had 19 dynasties including Maurya, Satavahana, Kshatrapa, Traikutaka, Kalachuri, Konkan Maurya, Chalukya, Rashtrakuta, Shilahar, Yadav, Bahmani, Sultan of Gujarat, Ahmadnagar Nizamshahi, Portuguese, Siddhi, Maratha, Mughal, Angre, and British.
- The history of Raigad district is divided into three periods namely ancient period, medieval period and modern period
Historical Reference :- Raigad Gazetteer
Historical places around Alibag
Explore some of the historical places.
Magnetic Observatory
Aangre Samadhi
Aakshi Pillar
Dome at Chaul Bhovale
Witness of History
Explore some of the witnesses of History.
Alibagi Rupaya
Before independence, Alibag and the port of Chaul were the important centres of maritime trading activity on the west coast. Foreign trade was mainly conducted by the English, Dutch, French, and ...- April 7, 2023
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Marathi Inscription
Akshi village is located near about 5 km to the South of Alibag. The village is surrounded by lush green plantations of Areca and Coconut palms. Aakshi is located on the Alibag Murud road. Akshi ...- April 7, 2023
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Rahat
Konkan region has a beautiful green landscape with tall coconut and areca palms. Most of the natives live in houses surrounded by these palm trees. The plantation area is known as ‘Wadi’ in ...- April 7, 2023
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Historical Inscriptions
As Alibaug has a history of thousands of years, many inscriptions, Veeragal, Gadhegal, as well as Satishila can be found here. All these works of art tell the history of that time. Some are in ...- April 4, 2023
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