From the time of Emperor Ashoka onwards, the region of Konkan is known. The 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 western Konkan coast of Maharashtra. In the seventeenth century Sarkhel Kanhoji Angre, a General of the Maratha Empire, built the city “Alibag”. Raigad district was earlier known as “Kulaba” district.
The villages Revdanda, Chaul, Nagaon, Akshi, Varsoli, Thal, Kihim and Awas were known as “Ashtagare” at that time. Many battles were fought here during that time. In 1722, the British and the Portuguese made a joint attack on Kulaba, but they lost that battle. In 1852, Alibaug was declared as a taluka place
The city “Alibag” sitting on the shores of the Arabian Sea is famous as a tourist destination. Alibag is known as Goa of Maharashtra. Earlier this city was situated near a bay on Chaul Island. These different islands were later connected by roads and bridges. Chaul was a major port at that time, making the area famous and important.
In the 17th century, this locality got the name Alibag. In earlier times, Ramnath was the main village in this area. The name Ramnath became popular because of the Lord Rama temple in this area. As this is the main village, the village goddess temple is also located in Ramnath. It is likely that the village was named Alibaug because of the palaces and gardens surrounding the town.
The History :-
Alibag got a new face during the reign of Sarkhel Kanhoji Angre. It really developed during this period. He developed the area into a prosperous city. During this period, roads, temples were built and old temples were restored. The beautiful city of “Alibag” was situated near the sea shore, adjacent to the fort of Kolaba . The area has been reformed. Many constructions and development works were completed during Angre’s tenure.
Several temples have been restored including Maruti Temple, Balaji Temple, Ram Temple, Kashi Vishweshwar Temple, Kalambika Temple, Ganapati Temple, Vitthal Rakhumai Temple, Datta Temple, Vishnu Temple. Alibaug has a population of Muslims, Christians as well as Hindus. Along with temples, there are also mosques of ancient times. There is also an ancient church here.
Kolaba Fort is located near the Alibag beach. There is also Hirakot Fort in the city. In 1698 Kanhoji Angre became Armar Chief. After that, the real development of Alibag took place. But Kanhoji Angre’s residence was in Kolaba Fort. He chose Alibag for Armor, palace and treasure. Hence this city has historical importance.
Rise of Alibaug City:-
In 1839 Angre Sansthan was abolished and the British came to power. In 1840, Alibag was made the headquarters of the Kolaba Agency. And in the year 1852, Alibag became the place of taluka. Alibaug was important for sea traffic due to its proximity to Mumbai port. In the year 1869, the district of Kolaba was created and the headquarters of this district was made at Alibag.
Later, Kolaba district was renamed as “Raigad” district in 1981, but the headquarters remained at Alibag. Kolaba Fort was built by Shivaji Maharaj in the year 1662, then Darya Sarang and Daulat Khan looked after the administration from here, then Sarkhel Kanhoji Angre took care of the administration here. Hirakot fort in Alibag city was built by Kanhoji Angre as a treasure house. Hirakot lake was built there. The construction & walls of this fort are still very strong.
There is a temple of Godesses inside and a Maruti temple outside. Also there was a “Tanksaal” (The mint – the place where the official coins of a country are made) here in Angre period. The city of Alibaug has a historical background. Aangre’s palace is located here. Also there is a magnetic observatory in Alibag town near Hirakot fort.
This observatory was established in the year 1904 and this building is completely made of stone and has been built in a special way without using iron during construction. This observatory is a unique example of science and is of world class, which records the changes in magnetic force on Earth.
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 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
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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