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{{Short description|City & Sub-district in Maharashtra, India}}
{{For|the village in Iran|Mahad, Iran}}
{{For|the village in Iraq|Mahad, Iraq}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2017}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2017}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{More citations needed|date=June 2015}}
{{tone|date=January 2013}}
}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Mahād
| other_name = Raigad Nagari
| nickname =
| settlement_type = [[City|City &]] [[Taluka|Sub-district]]
| image_skyline = Savitri river at Mahad.JPG
| image_alt =
| image_caption = [[Savitri River]] near Mahad
| pushpin_map = India Maharashtra
| pushpin_label_position =
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Maharashtra, India
| coordinates = {{coord|18.083|N|73.417|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Maharashtra]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[Divisions of Maharashtra|Division]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Konkan]]
| subdivision_type3 = [[Districts of Maharashtra|District]]
| subdivision_name3 = [[Raigad district|Raigad]]
| subdivision_type4 = [[Taluka|Sub-district]]
| subdivision_name4 = Mahad
| established_title = Mahad City Municipal Council
| established_date = 1866 A.D.
| founder =
| named_for =
| government_type = Municipal Council
| governing_body = Mahad City Municipal Council
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_footnotes =
| area_rank =
| area_total_km2 = 12
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m = 18
| population_total = 1,80,191
| population_as_of = 2011
| population_rank =
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_demonym = Mahadkar, Raigadkar
| population_footnotes =
| demographics_type1 = Languages
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| demographics1_info1 = [[Marathi Language|Marathi]]
| demographics1_title2 = Regional
| demographics1_info2 = [[Konkani language|Konkani]], [[Agri dialect|Agri-Koli]]
| demographics_type2 = Sex Ratio and Literacy in Semi-Urban region (Mahad City)
| demographics2_title1 = Sex Ratio
| demographics2_info1 = 963 Females : 1000 Males
| demographics2_title2 = Literacy
| demographics2_info2 = 94%
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| postal_code_type = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
| postal_code = 402301 (Mahad City), 402309 (Mahad MIDC/Birwadi)
| area_code_type = Telephone code
| area_code = 02145
| registration_plate = MH-06
| website = {{URL|https://www.raigad.nic.in}}
| footnotes =
}}
[[File:Pandav Leni.jpg|thumb|[[Gandharpale Caves|Gandharpale Buddhist Caves]]/Pandava Leni]]
[[File:Varandha ghad.jpg|thumb|Varandha Ghat]]'''Mahad''' ({{audio|Mahad.ogg|pronunciation}} [[Help:IPA/Marathi|[məɦaːɖ]]]) is a city in [[Raigad district]] (formerly [[Raigad district|Kulaba district]]) situated in the [[Konkan|North Konkan]] region of [[Maharashtra]] state, India. It is located {{cvt|108.5|km}} from District Headquarters [[Alibag]], and {{cvt|167|km}} from [[Mumbai]]. Mahad is known for [[Raigad Fort]], the capital of the [[Maratha Empire]] in [[Shivaji Maharaj]]'s era and the revolutionary [[Mahad Satyagraha]] launched by (Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar) at ''Chavdar Tale'' (Tasty Lake) in the wake of modern [[India]].

== History ==

Mahad, a town nestled in the Konkan region ([https://badaudyog.com/mahad/ History of Mahad]) of Maharashtra, India, holds a significant historical and cultural legacy. With a rich past that dates back to ancient times, Ma-had has witnessed the rise and fall of empires, played a vital role in the Indian independence movement, and now stands as a thriving modern town.

===Chavdaar Tale Satyagraha ===

It is known for the [[Mahad Satyagraha|Chavdaar Tale's satyagraha]] of [[B. R. Ambedkar|Bhimrao Ambedkar]] at Chavdar Tale, which is a large public water tank in Mahad town.<ref>{{Cite web |last=today |first=Team Ambedkarite |date=2019-10-23 |title=Mahad Satyagraha - The First Battle launched by Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar |url=https://www.ambedkaritetoday.com/2019/10/mahad-satyagraha-first-battle-of-dalit-liberation.html |access-date=2023-07-15 |website=The Ambedkarite Today |language=English}}</ref> Ambedkar with his followers of over 2,500 [[Dalit]]s marched to the tank. In March, a few upper caste people also participated, who used to admire Bhimrao's ideology. Ambedkar was the first to take his hand and sip water from the tank, followed by the rest. This was a revolutionary step for the time and broke the taboo of [[Caste system in India|caste discrimination]]. This came to be known as the Mahad Satyagraha.<ref name=th>{{Cite web|url=https://feminisminindia.com/2017/03/20/mahad-satyagraha/|title=The Significance Of Mahad Satyagraha: Ambedkar's Protest March To Claim Public Water|last=Harad|first=Tejas|date=2017-03-19|website=Feminism In India|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-09}}</ref> Many disciples of [[the Buddha]] and followers of B.R. Ambedkar visit Chavdaar Tale every year on ''Kranti Din'' (Day of Revolution).

However, this was not the end of the struggle. There was tremendous backlash from the rest of the community and some even performed a purification ritual to counter the act of revolution.{{Citation needed|date=January 2021}}<ref>{{Cite news |last=SETALVAD |first=TEESTA |date=20 March 2021 |title=Mahad Satyagraha: After 94 years, do we have Equality, Dignity & Access? |url=https://sabrangindia.in/mahad-satyagraha-after-94-years-do-we-have-equality-dignity-access/ |access-date=9 Feb 2024 |work=Sabrang India}}</ref> Ambedkar made another statement by burning the Hindu book [[Manusmriti]] at the very same spot on 25 December 1927.<ref name=th/>

===Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Raigad fort ===
Mahad has a glorious history during the rule of the Maratha king [[Shivaji]]. The capital of Hindavi Swarajya and the Samadhi of Chhatrapati Shivaji is at [[Raigad fort]], which is around {{cvt|24|km}} from the city. It was part of [[Birwadi]] Subha ([[Tehsil]]) and was ruled by Birwadi Subhedar's [[Kadam (Tibetan Buddhism)|Kadam]]s (Mahamunkars).{{citation needed|date=May 2022}} The village of Umarath [[Tanaji Malusare]] & Kinjaloli of [[Murarbaji]] are also in the vicinity of Mahad.

====Shivtharghal and Daasbodh====
The [[Shivthar Ghal|Shivtharghal]] is the birthplace of [[Samarth Ramdas]], author of the spiritual book [[Dasbodh]].

====Mahad Port====
Mahad was a flourishing port in the past. The Gul ([[Jaggery]]) of [[Kolhapur|Shahupuri Kolhapur]] and [[Satara (city)|Satara]] was exported to [[Gujarat]] via Mahad. Since the banks of the Savitri river changed during the course of time, only creek water fishing is carried out and Mahad is no longer a port.

===Gandharpale Buddhist Caves===
According to the mythological story, [[Gandharpale Caves]] are the sculptured houses built in one night by the Pandavas.{{citation needed|date=June 2013}} Originally these caves are Buddhist caves build during the reign of [[Vishnupalita Kambhoja]].<ref name=AHIR>{{cite book|last=Ahir|first=D. C.|title=Buddhist sites and shrines in India: history, art, and architecture|year=2003|publisher=Sri Satguru Publ.|location=Delhi|isbn=8170307740|page=198|edition=1.}}</ref>

===2016 Flood in Savitri river===

In 2016, a major flood hit Mahad because of the collapse of the British era bridge on [[National Highway 66 (India)|Mumbai-Goa highway]] and caused great losses. The incident resulted in the loss of 42 lives.<ref>{{Cite web|date=September 14, 2016|first=George|last=Mendonca|title=Mahad: Locals shun fish from Mahad river where 42 drowned|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/navi-mumbai/Locals-shun-fish-from-Mahad-river-where-42-drowned/articleshow/54320603.cms|access-date=2020-04-09|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref>

Several disasters like floods and landslides have continuously devastated markets and old houses, specifically classic raw houses, causing great loss of life. This is primarily due to lower elevation of the city compared to surrounding areas and being surrounded by rivers on all sides, making the city like a triangular island. Also, Konkan, receives predominantly very heavy rainfall in comparison to rest of Maharashtra.<ref>
{{GEOnet2|32FA8822D77F3774E0440003BA962ED3|Mahād (Approved)}}, [[National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency|United States National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency]]</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Mahād |publisher=World Gazetteer |url=http://www.world-gazetteer.com/wg.php?x=1&men=gpro&lng=en&des=gamelan&geo=-1871&col=abcdefghinoq&msz=1500&pt=c&va=&geo=389113342 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130217020411/http://www.world-gazetteer.com/wg.php?x=1&men=gpro&lng=en&des=gamelan&geo=-1871&col=abcdefghinoq&msz=1500&pt=c&va=&geo=389113342 |archive-date=2013-02-17 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

== Geography ==
Mahad is situated at southernmost tip of [[Raigad district]] in [[Konkan]] region at an altitude of {{cvt|59|ft}} and is surrounded by [[Western Ghats|Sahyadri Mountains]]. [[Savitri River|Savitri river]] originates from Savitri Point in [[Mahabaleshwar]] and flows through Mahad to the delta in [[Arabian Sea|Arabian sea]] via [[Bankot]].

Mahad has a tropical climate and witnesses heavy rainfall during [[monsoon of South Asia|monsoon]]. Summers are very hot and winters are cold with a thick fog lay over city during morning hours. Mahad receives the highest rainfall in Raigad district because of the rain catcher forest of Raigad Fort Natural Reserve and famous hill station [[Mahabaleshwar]]. Mahad receives an average annual rainfall above {{cvt|4000|mm}}. Mahad has a favorable climate for the growth of [[alphonso (mango)|alphonso mango]] and [[coconut]] trees.

== Demographic ==
As of 2011 India Census, Mahad has a population of 180,191.

== Tourist attractions nearby ==
Raigad, popularly known as "Gateway of Konkan", is among the city's tourist destinations. Other attractions include:

* [[Raigad Fort]]
* [[Pratapgad Fort]]
* [[Gandhar Pale Buddhist Caves]]
* [[Shivthar Ghal]]
* Lingana Fort
* Birwadi Fort
* Warandha Ghat
* Mulshi-Tamhini Ghat (Bhira)
* [[Poladpur]]
* Mahabaleshwar
* Vireshwar Temple
* [[Chavdar Tale|Chavdaar Tale]]
* Walan kond
* Mandala waterfall
* Sav hot water spring
* Kol caves
* Maangad
* Hari-Hareshwar, [[Shrivardhan]] and Diveagar Beach
* Dapoli-Mandangad Beach
*

==Etymology==
The word "Mahad" is derived from [[Konkani language|Konkani-marathi]] words "महा" (Mahā) and "हाट" (Market)."महा" meaning "Great or big" and "हाट" meaning "market", collectively meaning "a big market".

The oldest reference of Mahad is found in historical documents in 225 BC. Around 130 AD, Mahad was under rule of Buddhist king [[Vishnupalita Kambhoja|Vishnu Pulit]] of [[Kamboja Pala dynasty|Kambhoja]] dynasty. He built the [[Gandharpale Caves|Gandharpale caves]] opposite to Mahad port. Under his rule, Mahad was a port and business center which continued until [[British Raj]]. The development of Mahad as a business center continued under the rule of [[Seuna (Yadava) dynasty|Yadavas of Deogiri]] in the 13th century. Yadavas were the first make [[Marathi language|Marathi]] the official language of Maharashtra. Mahad was taken by British in 1818 and was a place of administrative work when Raigad fort was made the capital of [[Shivaji]].

== Festivals ==
Mahad is one of the well-known holiday destinations in [[Konkan|Konkan region]]. The festivals most celebrated by local people are Chabina (which falls in summer around the month of March) and Ganpati festival (which falls during the [[monsoon]], around the month of September).{{citation needed|date=November 2017}}, EID
is well celebrated in this region, mahad has diversity in its population.

===Shimga Festival===
The most important festival among whole [[Konkani people|Konkani community]] spreading from Thane, Raigad to Goa and Karwar coast is "Shimga". It is speciality of "[[Konkan]] and [[Goa]]". Every City, every town or village has its own way of celebrating it. Almost every [[Konkani people|Konkani]] working day and night, sleeplessly in metropolis like [[Mumbai]], [[Pune]], [[Delhi]] or in foreign countries rush to their homeland during Shimga. People worship their local deities, fun-fairs are organized; the [[Litter (vehicle)|Palkhis]] of local deities are main attraction and is considered prestigious among locals. Each town represents its own religious culture and traditions.

====Shimgotsav in Mahad====
Vireshwar is the most-worshipped local deity of Mahad. The temple of Vireshwar was believed to be constructed during or before [[Shivaji]]'s reign. A local fair is organised during shimga called "Mahad chi Jatra", uniquely known as "Chabina Utsav of Mahad". The "Palkhis" of seven sisters of Vireshwar who are Gram-devi (goddess) of nearby villages and towns like [[Mangaon]], [[Poladpur]] and [[Khed, Ratnagiri|Khed]] are brought at Vireshwar Temple in Mahad. Goddess Zolai Devi is considered the most favorite sister of Vireshwar. The people are so devoted that they bring Palkhis from many miles far villages by walking, sometimes bare-footed, they consider this holy and sacred and feel lucky to be part of it.

Eid

==Economy==
===Central Market===
Mahad was the central market for people of [[Poladpur]], the [[Raigad district|Raigad]] villages and the hill station [[Mahabaleshwar]]. The city is surrounded by the [[Sahyadri]] mountain ranges and the [[Savitri River|Savitri]], Kal and Gandhari rivers originating through Mahabaleswar, hills in Mulshi and Raigad fort respectively. Mahad was a flourishing port in the past.{{citation needed|date=November 2017}} "Mahadi Gul"{{clarify|date=November 2017}} was well known in Gujarat, which is made in Satara, Pune district and exported to other locations through Mahad's port.{{citation needed|date=November 2017}}

===Mahad M.I.D.C. and Economic Corridor===
====Mahad MIDC====
Mahad is now well-developed with town infrastructure. Mahad MIDC which is set up near [[Birwadi]] is the small [[Chemical industry]] cluster. It houses several [[polymer]], [[pharmaceutical]], [[organic product|organic]], [[pigments]], [[fertilizers]], aroma chemical manufacturing industries. Notable industries are -

* Pidilite
* Piramal Healthcare
* Sandoz
* Vinati Organic
* Lakshmi Organic
* Hikal Ltd.
* Maharashtra Aldehydes
* Sudarshan
* Maharashtra Seamless
* EMBIO
* Privi Organics India Limited<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.privi.com/contact-us |title = Contact us - World's Leading Aroma Chemical Manufacturer, Supplier and Exporter}}</ref>
*BlueJet HealthCare Limited

Mahad consists of two Industrial zones - Mahad-Birwadi and Mahad Additional Industrial zone.

====Bharatmala====
Mahad is part of proposed [[Bharatmala|Panvel-Mahad-Chiplun-Panjim Economic corridor]] under [[Bharatmala]] Project.

== Civic Administration ==
Mahad falls under the [[Raigad (Lok Sabha constituency)|Raigad Lok Sabha Constituency]], along with Pen, Alibaug, Shrivardhan, Dapoli and Guhagar. In 2019, [[Sunil Tatkare]] from [[Nationalist Congress Party|NCP]] won the [[Lok Sabha|Lok Sabha Seat]] for the constituency.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/lok-sabha-elections-2019/maharashtra/raigad-election-result-s13p32/|title=Raigad Lok Sabha Election Results 2019 Live: Raigad Constituency Election Results, News, Candidates, Vote Paercentage|website=News18|access-date=2020-04-09}}</ref>

==Transport==
===Airways===
Nearest airports:
* [[Navi Mumbai International Airport]], Ulve-Panvel, Navi Mumbai
* [[Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport|CSIA]], Mumbai
* [[Pune International Airport]], Lohagaon, Pune

===Railway===
[[Konkan railway|Konkan railway line]] starts from [[Roha|Roha-Kolad]] and exits Raigad district via Veer. Main railway stations in Mahad is [[Veer railway station]].

===Road===
National Highway NH 66 (previously known as NH 17) passes through Mahad.{{citation needed|date=November 2017}} It connects [[Panvel]] (Southern Navi-Mumbai) to Kanyakumari, passing through the states of [[Maharashtra]], [[Goa]], [[Karnataka]], [[Kerala]], and [[Tamil Nadu]].

===MSRTC===
Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation has a [[Bus garage|bus depot]] at Mahad for public transport. Buses plying from [[Khed, Ratnagiri|Khed]], [[Chiplun]], [[Ratnagiri]] have halt at [[Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation|Mahad MSRTC Bus depot]].

===GSRTC===
Many people from Mahad commute to cities like [[Surat]], [[Vapi]] and [[Valsad]] in Gujarat from even before the Independence. For inter-state public transport, [[Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation]] started buses from Mahad and Poladpur bus stand which are under operations of [[Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation|Mahad MSRTC Bus Depot]] to [[Surat]] and other cities of Gujarat.

==Notes==
{{Reflist}}
{{Raigad district}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Cities and towns in Raigad district]]
[[Category:Konkan]]
[[Category:Raigad district]]
[[Category:Economy of Maharashtra]]

Mahad - Revision history

QLXChristoper at 19:43, 27 April 2026