The Hindu Puranas suggest that the sixth incarnation of Vishnu, Parshurama created the Konkan region. The Vasai-Virar region comprises the north Konkan region. During the ancient times it was known as Sopara, and is talked about in the Skand Puranas. The kingdom of Sopara is also referred in the Mahabharata. Pandu’s son Sahadeva annexed this region to there Hastinapur empire during the Rajasui Yagna of Yudhistira.
Archeological diggings at Kot, near modern day Sopara village, by historian Pandit Bhagwanlal Indra with British researchers in April of 1882 discovered relics of a ancient Buddhist port city. There findings consisted of….. a stone tablet, a Buddha Stupa and other relics. The inscribed stone ascertains the fact that around 250 Sopara was the capital of the kingdom of Aparanta. Further diggings were conducted in January 1956 and a Shilalekh (Inscribed stone tablet) of King Ashoka was found here. This is the 9th Shilalekh out of his total 14 Shilalekhs. The Shilalekh is in Bramhi script popular during the Maurya period. These relics are available for public viewing at the Prince of Wales museum, Mumbai.
It is also stated in the Buddhist literature that Sopare was a thriving trading and religious base about 540 BC. Sharpura as it was called then was also visited by renowned scholar Tolami around the year 150.
Research proved that during 160 Satkarni (Sathawahan) was the king of Konkan. He lost this region to the Shatrapas in the year 220 who ruled it upto the end of the 3rd century. Old coins have been found in the region between Vasai and Nasik bearing the name of King Krushnaraj who is dated in the 5th century, but no clear history of this period is available.
During the 6th century different kings of the Maurya dynasty were ruling small parts of this province. Around 590 the Chalukyas of Badami struck and took over the north Konkan region from the Mauryas. The Mauryas had there capital at Gharapuri (Elephenta) and they ruled from Nasik. It was in this same century around 636 that Islam touched the Thane region for the first time in history. The Chalukyas lost there regime to the Rashtrakuts in 750. The Rashtrakuts appointed Kapardini as there Subhedar (care taker) and he established the famous Shilahar regime. King Mallikarjun Shilahar of Vasai was a famed ruler. Recent relics found in this region state that a Shilahar King ruled over the place around Watar and had his royal dwelling in Rajewadi (modern day Rajodi…?). Also another Shilahar king dwelt in Kophradi (modern day Kophrad…?).
Further this region was ruled by the Yadava’s. In the year 1294 Alluddin Khilji attacked the Ramdeorai Yadava’s empire. But Bhimdev Yadav son of Ramdeorai was able to escape from Devgiri there erstwhile capital. Bhimdev Yadav came to Mahim (coastal area of Palghar) and established his rule here, His rule extended right up to the Vasai province. He was known as Bimbdev in this region and he died in 1303. King Bimbdev was followed by his son who ruled the province for further 28 years. He was defeated by Nagardev of Chaul. This was the end of the Yadava regime in Vasai.
Muslim Kings from Gujrat set there eyes on this region and after defeating Nagardev took over the Konkan region. This was a beginning for the decline of Hindu rule in this region.
The muslim kings from the north also started raiding and claiming the Konkan and Dakhan region for there supremacy. The Bhamani Sultans from the south and the Sultans of Gujrat were always fighting over this region for ultimate control. Lastly the Bhamani Sultans lost to the Gujarat Sultans and they were able to bring this region under there single rule.
From 1407 the muslim Subhedar of Gujrat, Bhadurshah was managing this province for the Supreme Delhi Badshah, but around 1428 he decided to part with the monarchy and established as a independent ruler. Bhadurshah’s regime continued to rule over this region up to 1534 till Badshah Humayun of Delhi attacked his province. Bhadurshah had to take refugee with the Portuguese then at Div in Gujarat. In exchange he had to hand them over the Vasai province.
The Portuguese had there colonies in Goa and Chaul. They found Vasai a ideal location to secure this colonies from the Maratha and Muslim aggressions. They built a small watch over fort at Arnala and the main fort at Vasai. Over the period the Portuguese proved better rulers, they established trade links between Vasai and Europe and the old port city of Vasai found its lost glory. The Portuguese introduced the natives to European languages, education, culture and also religion. Over the period they moved there northern command base to Vasai. This resulted in further prosperity of this region. Rapid spread of Christianity and the regions prosperity were reasons for the Marathas to take notice of Vasai. There attempts to take over Vasai proved futile against the Portuguese armament and the invincible fort. The Portuguese ruled Vasai for nearly 205 years.
In 1739 the first Bajirao Peshwa’s brother Narveer Chimajiapa took over the region after defeating the Portuguese. It was a tough battle and both sides lost heavily. Vir Chimajiapa had to acquire many forts around Vasai before laying siege to the Vasai fort. The Peshwas ruled this region from Pune up to 1818. The British took over the region from the Peshwas and ruled it up to India’s Independence in 1947. With there bigger and prosperous port city in neighboring Mumbai, the Vasai port started losing its importance. Many natives and artisans migrated to the new land of opportunity and Vasai was reduced to a small agricultural and fishing hamlet.
Post independence the railway traversing through this region was instrumental to reconnect it to the main land. People started to commute and establish trade relations with the city and progress resumed. Up to the 1970’s Vasai was looked as a agricultural region that produced the best vegetables for the city dwellers. The nascent beaches proved attraction for picnickers. It was only in the 80’s that the growing Mumbai city felt the need for residential space. Also the property market boom saw many urbanites moving further north towards Vasai and Virar.
Clutters of new settlements like Navghar - Manickpur have formed near all the stations between Naigaon to Virar. Population has steeply risen from 2.5 lakhs in 1970 to more then 8 lakhs in 1990. Availablity of skilled labor and inexpensive resources have also attracted industries here. This resulted in improvised basic amenities and commerce growth.
Today this region is a mix of new and old alike.
It has not lost its old world charm. Historical sites and the over all town landscapes and the greenery give reminiscences to the glorious days it once was.
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