The Coastal Heritage of Maritime Maharashtra – Central Konkan

The Project will shed light on the Rich coastal Heritage of Maharashtra, The
varied typology of Heritage, and its Historical, Architectural, cultural and
Natural significance. This Region developed by Human interventions in the
past, and how the various cultures evolved which enriched this land
culturally.

The Coast of Maharashtra has a very rich Maritime Tradition. Trade and
commerce flourished from ancient times. Sopara, Chaul, and other places
on the coast were great ports and the trading marts, as is Mumbai today. The
great deal of History was fashioned along the coast. The European powers arrived
on the western coast and the ports and the coastal forts of the Maharashtra became
an intrinsic part of their activities and political aspirations.

It is no wonder, then, that the coast of Maharashtra should be dotted with

Forts, Chrches, Lighthouses, temples and many other sites which were of
immense importance in the times gone by. They are relics of our priceless
Historical and Cultural heritage. They need to be preserved before they
fast disappear from the face of the earth.

The crying need of these Heritage sites is restoration and preservation. They have
to be preserved physically.

History of coastal Maharashtra and the setting in which the Heritage sites
exists – number of natural resources such as, The 720km coast line, the
Konkan strip, the Mountains, the Rivers and harbors, etc.

Effect of Geography upon History –

The Long, straight, coastline meant greater visibility and this factor was use both to
trading craft and naval ships.

There were no reefs and shoals and the rocky strata did not extend far out to the
sea. This meant that the ships could sail hugging the coast, not very far from it. The
numerous creeks at the mouth of the river afforded protection to the small craft
with a shallow draft.

Central Konkan – Khubladha to Anjanvel

The coastline of Upper Konkan is shallower, wider with very few hills but Central
Konkan, the whole terrain south of Bombay changes. The coast is rocky with very
few beaches. Two major rivers Amba and Kundalika enrich this area.
River Kundalika rises in sahyadris and opens up near Chaul and Revdanda before
joining the sea.

Chaul was the very important trading centre till late in the medieval
period since the ancient times. South of Kundaika there is a large and wide
Rajpuri or janjira creek. Here, the mandad at upper arm Buddhist caves are
found.

Many ancient ports are found in this area, between Amba and Kundalika lies Alibaug
(Shribaug), the Kulaba fort off Alibaug was t he main base of Kanhoji Angre
(Neval chief of Aarmar during Shivaji’s time)

Trade and Locations of the Ports –

Movement by land for trade was very difficult due to the mountains and woods,
river traffic occupied a prominent place. This led the establishment of ports at
the river mouth or up the creek.

The pattern of Trade was mainly of two types. The first can be called the loop type
and was between the coastal ports. The second was the long distance trade which
was concentrated in a few selected ports.

Historical Perspective –

The early history of Konkan starts from Mauryan Empire and Ashok the
great. Buddhism also had reached the coast as seen by the caves at chaul
and Manded.

After Mauryan, Satavahanas, Shakas, Chalukyan’s, Kadamba and yadava ruled over
this land from 3rd century BC to 14th century AD.

Ancient Trade – The coast of Maharashtra was known from very ancient times for
its ports from where extensive trade was carried on to places as far west as Rome
and as far East as Java and Sumatra.

This place was well known and is mentioned by Ptolemy and in the Periplus.
Commercial relations with Egypt and Babylon existed as far back as BC 2500.
Konkan was known far and wide for its traditional hospitality and kindness to all
foreigners. Arabs, Greeks, Chinese, Jews, Parsis, and Portuguese had traded at
Konkan ports in perfect safety.

Trade and commerce with the Middle East and Europe, had been going on
from ancient times. Now where there is commerce, there is a competition.
And where there is competition, there is conflict, and conflict leads to
raising of armies and building of fortification, forts or fortified ports.

Heritage Sites –

Forts – The forts along the coast of Maharashtra fall under two categories – island
forts and coastal forts. All forts of this region are medieval forts, and none can be
dated before 12th century AD.

Rampart and wall, Bastions and Towers, Gates, Moat, Sculptures are the
components of the forts.

Temples – The oldest Temple of Kopeshwara of Chalukyan style id the earliest

temple to survive. Some Temples and Temple Complexes are also dated back from
10/11th Century. Some are established from Peshwas era.

Distinct feature of ‘Deepmal’ in the temple Complex is much different in Konkan

Region than found anywhere else, as it has a Portuguese influence on its
Architecture.

Other Important Heritage sites in this region are Rock-cut Buddhist caves,
Stupas and Edicts, Mosques and Dargahs, Burial grounds and tomb
structures, Churches, Palaces, Bungalows, etc. and some sites which have
Heritage Value – Architectural, Historical, Cultural and Natural.

The crying need of these heritage sites is restoration and preservation.

They have to be preserved physically.

Their memory has to be preserved in print While the former task can best be
undertaken by the Government, the Archaeological Survey of India, the State
Archaeology Department, the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation
(MTDC) and large industrial houses, the latter task can be undertaken by historians
and by NGOs.

This is to spread awareness about priceless sites and traditions of Coastal

Maharashtra; it was also felt that since almost all sites fall within the CRZ
categories.

This Thesis will be an attempt to 'preserve' the sites in print. It is also based
on the premise that one cannot start the preservation process unless one knows
what heritage sites actually exist, what is their condition, and how they can be
utilized after restoration.

Janjira Fort from Hill Road

Khokari tombs, around 300 yrs old

Rameshwar Temple
Complex, Chaul