Next time you travel across Thane's modern landscape, stuck in traffic or waiting for a train, take a moment to imagine a dramatically different era. Long before our crowded trains and roads connected it to the world, Thane was primarily known as a vibrant and prosperous port, a critical gateway that linked the subcontinent with distant lands.
About a thousand years ago, the Thane coast was full of activity. Smaller boats dotted the shore, while few larger ships awaited in the open sea. One vessel prepared to sail to Africa, laden with Konkan-grown rice. Another had just arrived from Iran, bringing horses. A third had navigated from the Malabar coast, delivering precious spices like mace, cloves, and black pepper. The docks were a melting pot of travelers, traders, and sailors from Africa, Arabia, and China, mingling with local Hindu, Muslim, and Parsi merchants. Negotiations in a Gujarati dialect filled the air. This isn't a fantasy; it's a snapshot of middle age Thane, then one of Asia's significant trading centers.
For centuries, Thane's identity was tied to its port status. Due to its island-like geography, cut off from the outside world by road until the 19th century, water transport was the primary means of reaching Thane, even from the islands of Mumbai. Its wealth was evident early on. Records show that as early as 636 AD, Usman Bin Asi Saqifi , governor of Bahrain and Oman, dispatched a fleet to loot Thane. Just 24 years later, in 660 AD, Arab invaders again looted and destroyed it. Arab geographer Al-Masudi (10th century) referred to it as 'Tanha' or 'Tabah', while Persian scholar Al-Biruni (917 AD) described Thane as the capital of Konkan, located 40 miles south of Sopara. Even the local Shilahara dynasty's copper plate inscriptions proudly named it 'Shri Sthanak'.
Thane's global reach attracted notable visitors. The renowned traveler Marco Polo visited in the 13th century and noted about its independent king, idol-worshipping people, and a distinct language. He also observed that Thane's port was troubled by pirates, with whom the king made agreements, potentially granting amnesty to those who handed over looted horses. By the late 13th century, Thane imported gold, silver, copper, cotton, cloth, and fine leather through its port. Later, Arab travelers Ibn Battuta and Rashid al-Din also passed through, referring to it as 'Kukin Tana' and 'Konkan Tana' respectively. Its global presence is further shown by its appearance as ' Cukin Tana' on a 1375 AD Catalan map. Even the Italian cleric Odoric, who stayed in Thane in 1324, described it as a "glorious village" with abundant food and excellent honey, noting that its people worshipped fire, the sun, and trees.
During the prosperous Shilahara period (7th to 13th centuries), trade flourished, utilizing 'taravas' (small vessels) across various regions like Konkan, Gujarat, Malabar, and the Iranian Gulf. Thane also exported 'Tabashir,' a type of sugar made from bamboo. Most remarkably, a special silk fabric, 'Thana Silk,' was woven here. A vibrant weaver's settlement, 'Khatri Wada,' existed in today's Rabodi - KVilla area, home to thousands of silk and cotton weavers. 'Thana Silk' was so famous in Europe that the Pope in Rome instructed missionaries going to Hindustan to specifically purchase and send back 'Tana Silk'.
However, Thane's golden era as a port began to fade in the 14th century, partly due to the Bahmani Sultanate shifting its capital to Kalaburagi, leading to the rise of other ports like Chaul and Dabhol. When the Portuguese took control in 1535 AD, the port was already in decline. Fear of forced religious conversion caused many skilled weavers to flee to Bhiwandi, taking their prosperity with them. Ultimately, the British, with their strategic development of Mumbai, created a more convenient and superior port, slowly erasing Thane's identity as a bustling international gateway.
Despite the changes, the echoes of Thane's maritime past persist. The large Koliwadas of Chendani and Mahagiri, and other coastal fishing villages, maintain Thane's enduring connection with the sea. As Thane evolves into a smart, modern city, remembering its profound history as a rich and prosperous ancient port is crucial. This deep historical identity as a global hub remains an intrinsic part of what makes Thane truly unique.
Makarand Joshi
Reference:
Thane Gazetier, 1882
Janardan Balaji Modak, 1891
Aitihaasik Thane, D. B. Deval, 1988
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