The Maratha rule: Rebuilding Sovereignty and Culture of Thane

Amid the noise of modern Thane, lie silent witnesses to its past — the sturdy Thane fort, the calm expanse of Masunda Lake and the temple of Kopineshwar. Nearly three centuries ago, this city underwent a profound transformation when the Marathas reclaimed Thane from Portuguese rule in 1738. Their 37-year reign, though brief, marked a powerful period of restoration of governance, faith, and identity. It was a time when Thane was not merely ruled but rebuilt.

The Portuguese acquired Thane in 1515 and, over the next two centuries, transformed it from a regional town into a fortified Christian settlement. They altered the city  skyline and social structure to reflect their religious and political priorities. Churches and large houses replaced earlier temples and worship places, changing both the physical and cultural character of the city. The convent and church of St. Anthony was built out of the stones of  twelve temples around present-day Masunda Lake. 

The Portuguese began constructing a strong fort around 1730 to defend their hold from Marathas. But before it was completed, in 1737, Maratha forces launched an attack on Thane. The fall of Thane marked the collapse of Portuguese control. The Marathas immediately took charge, beginning a new era of rebuilding and reorganization.

Once the city was secured, the Marathas turned to the urgent task of consolidation and construction. Their rule was marked by visible achievements that redefined Thane’s landscape. 

Ramji Mahadev Biwalkar was appointed as the Sar Subhedar (Chief Governor) of Thane. The military command was entrusted to Buvaji Naik. 

The Marathas recognized the military significance of the Thane Fort. After the damage sustained during the war, necessary repairs and completion of unfinished building of the fort was  undertaken. With the fort under Maratha control, Thane gained vital protection, leading to a rapid growth in its population.

The town expanded significantly, encompassing the present-day areas of the marketplace, Jambhli Naka, Mahagiri, and Chandani Koliwada. Jambhli Naka, next to the lake, became the hub for a dairy market, and a vibrant trade in horses, cattle, and livestock flourished nearby. Various professional communities established their residences in convenient locations, known as alis, resulting in names like Lohar Ali, Kabad Ali, Sonar Ali, and Dhobi Ali. Areas like Charai, Kharkar Ali, and Tembi Naka were predominantly settled by the CKP community, while Brahmins primarily settled in Shenve Ali, Ghantali, and Naupada. A notable feature of Thane was its cosmopolitan nature, with not only Hindu society but also Muslim, Christian, Jewish, and Parsi communities settling there, considering it a secure location. The Maratha policy of granting complete freedom to Christians to follow their customs, was a testament to the Marathas' religious tolerance.

The Maratha period, though short, saw the construction of several significant buildings. These included Biwalkar's Wada, the old Collector's Office, the Tehsildar Office, and the Kopineshwar Temple. 

Ramji Biwalkar's Wada, completed in 1754, was an architecturally distinctive structure, featuring a public reception hall, an office, a treasury, a council chamber. It had open courtyards with fountains and Tulsi Vrindavans. Later, the British converted it into the District Court. Sadly, the Maharashtra government decided to demolish this ancient and inspiring historical building to construct a new court, ignoring the protests of Thane's citizens. 

Similarly, Buvaji Naik's spacious Wada, which served as the old Collector's Office, was also demolished for a new office building, causing the people of Thane to lose both these Peshwa-era landmarks permanently. The current Tehsildar Office, or Hirakot, was originally a prison before being moved to the fort in 1862, after which it housed the Tehsildar and Police offices.

The Kopineshwar Temple, built in Thane in 1760, stands as a crucial example of Peshwa-era architecture. After the Marathas reclaimed the area, a Shivling was discovered while cleaning the Masunda Lake, which was surrounded by at least twelve demolished Shilahara temples. The Portuguese had built the St. John the Baptist Church on the site of these temples and fortified it. Kopineshwar Mandir is the most revered temple in Thane. 

Other prominent temples from this period include the Vitthal Mandir, Ghantali Devi, Datta Mandir, Pedhyamaruti, and Gavdevi. In addition to religious structures, the Marathas also reconstructed several lakes, including Masunda, Devla, Ghosale, and Haryale.

The Maratha administration came to an end in December 1774, when British forces attacked Thane. British  captured the fort on December 28, ending 37 years of Maratha rule. 

Though short, the Maratha rule over Thane was profoundly transformative. In those 37 years, the Marathas achieved ending over two centuries of colonial control, completing the Thane Fort and establishing administrative order, constructing the Kopineshwar and other temples and re-centering Thane’s spiritual life.

The Marathas restored the city's dignity and continuity. Their work re-anchored Thane’s identity in its own heritage — a legacy that still endures in the city’s heart today.

Source: Thane Gazetteer, ‘Ase Ghadle Thane’, Dr. Daud Dalvi