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, February 14, 2015

Thane Creek Aerial

Thane Creek separating Thane City and Bhiwandi

See More Thane Creek Photos:

Thane Creek 1 | 2 | 3 | 4

Sunday, February 8, 2015

Kasarvadavali, Ovala, Ghodbunder Road, Thane West

Thursday, January 29, 2015

Old Banyan Trees in Thane

Thane has several very very old trees. Hardly many people know about it. Due to rampant construction large amount of trees are being cut and get unnoticed. Thane city has many places densely vegetated which are under the eye of builders. Examples are the

1) Clariant company - Kolshet

2) Glaxo - Pokhran I

3) Aessen PVT - Pawar Nagar

4) Bayer - Kolshet

There are many more packed with dense vegetation which are the green lungs of Thane. We need to save it.

A very big and very very old Banyan Tree demarcated by TMC standing in Kolshet Area of then Clariant Company. This banyan tree is around 300 years old and its trunk is spread over an huge area. This is a live example of nature's wonder and one of the rarest trees in the city. Also, this road houses a number of such trees. This is also one of the most beautiful roads in Thane city. The road is divided not necessarily by concrete blocks, but by beautiful ancient banyan and Ashoka trees spread densly. The area is sold to Lodha Builders and now all such rich vegetation is in real dangers.

Friday, January 23, 2015

Thane City Sunrise

Sunrise Aerial View of Thane City

Sunrise view over Thane City

Thane City Winter Morning

Thane City Aerial View

Thane City Sunrise from Yeoor

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

Sunset in Thane City

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