The Konkan region has been known from the era of Emperor Ashoka. The Raigad district has a history since the Iron Age which is supported by the existence of Konkan originally dating back to 40,000 years ago. Which is again evidenced by some ancient human tools. Thai territory was ruled by around 19 dynasties named - 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.
Visit WebsiteThe Konkan region has been known from the era of Emperor Ashoka. The Raigad district has a history since the Iron Age which is supported by the existence of Konkan originally dating back to 40,000 years ago. Which is again evidenced by some ancient human tools. Thai territory was ruled by around 19 dynasties named – 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.
Alibag is situated on the western Konkan coast of Maharashtra in Raigad district.Sarkhel Kanhoji Angre, a General of the Maratha Empire, redeveloped the city “Alibag” In the seventeenth century. Raigad district was earlier known as “Kulaba” district. The famous “Ashtagare” were the villages of Revdanda, Chaul, Nagaon, Akshi, Varsoli, Thal, Kihim and Awas. Many battles were fought here during that time. In 1722, the British and the Portuguese jointly attacked Kulaba, which they lost. In 1852, Alibaug was declared as a taluka place, where all administrative work started being carried out at Alibag.
Earlier Ramnath was a main village near Alibag. The name was popular from the temple of lord Rama from the Sarkhel Kanhoji Aangre era. It is likely that the locality got the name Alibag because of the palaces and gardens surrounding the town.
The History :-
Alibag got a new identity during the reign of Sarkhel Kanhoji Aangre, with large developments, he converted it into a prosperous city. Many roads, temples were built and old temples were restored. Near the beautiful Alibag, on the shore, the ancient fort Kolaba is built. Many constructions and development works were completed during Angre’s tenure.Several temples were restored, to name few are Maruti Temple, Balaji Temple, Ram Temple, Kashi Vishweshwar Temple, Kalambika Temple, Ganapati Temple, Vitthal Rakhumai Temple, Datta Temple, Vishnu Temple. Alibag has a population of many religions. Along with many ancient temples, there are also Mosques, Churches, Synagogues of ancient times.
In the era of Chatrapati Shivaji, Alibag was an official place where the coins of a country were made, there were Mints for new coins, where there was “Alibagi Rupaya” which was valued more than British Rupaya that time.
Rise of Alibaug City:-
In 1839 Angre Sansthan was abolished and the British came to rule. Later in 1840, Alibag was declared as headquarters for the Colaba Agency. And in 1852, Alibag got declared as Taluka place. The “Alibag” city situated on the shores of the Arabian Sea is famous for tourism. Alibag is also known as Goa of Maharashtra. The heritage village Chaul is very close to Alibag. These different islands were later connected by roads and bridges. Chaul being a major port at that time, the area was very famous & economically important for the Nation. The city of Alibaug has a historical background. Angre’s palace is located here. Also there is a famous Geomagnetic Observatory in Alibag town near Hirakot fort. This geomagnetic observatory was established in the year 1904 and plays a very vital role in precisely measuring the magnetic field of the Earth’s body. As Alibaug is close to Mumbai, there is a steady flow of tourists throughout the year. Its beautiful beach, lush green nature attracts tourists. The forts in the sea, ancient temples, observatories, ancient structures, ancient ruins make Alibaug a popular destination for history lovers, archeologists, science and geography students. Alibaug is becoming famous day by day as a beautiful tourist destination close to Mumbai and Pune.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 places around Alibag
Explore some of the historical places.
Kanhoji Aangre Samadhi
Kolaba fort came to prominence during the reign of Kanhoji Angre. The fort was the center of maneuvering tactics.
Geomagnetic Observatory
The Historical fort built by Portuguese, has been very important in many historical activities. Accompanied by scenic beach famous for photoshoot.
Aakshi Pillar
The Historical fort built by Portuguese, has been very important in many historical activities. Accompanied by scenic beach famous for photoshoot.
Bhowale Dom
The Historical fort built by Portuguese, has been very important in many historical activities. Accompanied by scenic beach famous for photoshoot.
Mughal Humamkhana
Kolaba fort came to prominence during the reign of Kanhoji Angre. The fort was the center of maneuvering tactics.
Kuda Mandad Caves
The Historical fort built by Portuguese, has been very important in many historical activities. Accompanied by scenic beach famous for photoshoot.
Khokri Tombs
The Historical fort built by Portuguese, has been very important in many historical activities. Accompanied by scenic beach famous for photoshoot.
Kalavantin Wada
The Historical fort built by Portuguese, has been very important in many historical activities. Accompanied by scenic beach famous for photoshoot.
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
About Alisa Noory 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 ...- April 4, 2023
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