Thane - The Lake City

The city of Thane is situated on the western banks of Thane creek with Parsik hills on the east and Yeoor hills on the west. The city was then know as Shreesthanak. It was more popularly known as the Capital of the Shilahar dynasty. The history of Thane city can be broadly categorized into 5 eras.

‘Aparant’ is the ancient name of the geographical area hosting Thane city. During the Indian expedition of the Greek Emperor Alexander, a number of philosophers, historians and geographists visited India. Among them a Greek historian ‘Tolemi’ has mentioned about the city of Thane in his writings. A famous sailor named Marcopolo had also visited Thane in 1290 ‘A.D. and noted it to be one of the best cities in the world. A place called | ‘Ghodbunder was famous for horse trading thus deriving its name from the word ghoda i.e. horse and bunder meaning port.

During this period a fabric called ‘Tansi’ was exported from Thane. During the period from 13 A.D. to 17 A.D., the Muslims, Portuguese, Marathas, & the British dynasties ruled Thane. From 810A.D. to 1260A.D. the Shilahar Dynasty ruled over Thane. The Emperors of Shilahar dynasty were disciples of Lord Shiva and the Kopineshwar Temple has been built during their reign. During this period, At this time the Shilahars also divided the city into different sections and named them as ‘padas’. it is seen that these padas exist even today by names of Naupada, Patlipada, Agripada etc.

Saturday, September 19, 2015

Thane Mumbai Border

Thane Mumbai Border - Eastern Express Highway

Bara Bungalow, Thane East

This area comprises of Bara means 12 Bungalows of Top Administrative Officers of Thane District, including that of District Magistrate (District Collector), his deputies, Police Commissioner, CEO etc.
All these Bungalows were built in typical European style, with plenty of trees & spaces around. Now a few of them have undergone renovations as per the need of time.
This area also has Administrative HQs of some Government departments.

Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Ghodbunder Road, SH 42, Thane West

Ghodbunder Road - 6 lane road. Also is the State Highway 42 connecting Thane to Borivali and Vasai (NH 8). Below is aerial view of Ghodbunder Road

GHODBUNDER ROAD MORE PHOTOS

Raila Devi Lake, Thane West

Raila Devi lake is a huge lake with appx area of 8 hectares. This is the most neglected lake of Thane City. Being at the heart of the city and having a rich history, no grounds have been set to reconstruct this lake. Many small children come to fish here for small fishes.

Plants grown over the lake.

Walkway of Raila Devi Lake.

Jail Lake, Thane West

Jail lake is called so because it is situated near Thane Central Jail. It is a highly polluted lake as many people throw waste in it. It is a big lake and is highly eutrophied lake. This lake needs to be protected soon. Beside this lake there is Thane Central Maidan.

Some Facts about Thane City

Ptolemy, who, in his writings ( 135 - 150 AD) refers to a place called Chersonesus, which, according to researches, is the area around Thane creek.

Thane Fort in 1787, dated 1078 AD, is apparently a land grant from Arikesara Devaraja, sovereign of the city of Tagara, wherein he address the inhabitants of a city called Sri Sthanaka.

Portuguese came to Thane about 1530 and ruled for over 200 years till 1739. Thane was then known as Cacabe de Tana.

The Thane Municipal Council was formed in 1863 when the city had a population of 9000 souls.

The first train ran in India between Bombay and Thane, a stretch of 34 km. on April 16 1853

First Railroad Tunnel In India - Parsik Tunnel

First Railway Bridge: Dapoorie Viaduct on the Mumbai-Thane route

Kopineshwar Temple was built in 1760

Thane Central Jail is oldest fort of Thane built in 1730 by Portuguese