Thane

History of Thane

Throughout its history, Thane has been known by several different names. Its present name is believed to have originated from Sthan or Sthanaka, the capital of the Shilahara rulers of Konkan.

The earliest evidence of Thane appears in the writings of the Greek geographer Ptolemy, who referred to a place called Chersonesus between 135 and 150 AD. Research suggests that this area was around Thane Creek.

Thane appears again in medieval records through copper plates and inscriptions discovered in the city. One copper plate discovered near the foundations of Thane Fort in 1787, dated to 1078 AD, records a land grant by Arikesara Devaraja and refers to a city called Sri Sthanaka.

Thane as a Medieval Port

The Venetian traveller Marco Polo visited Thane around 1290 AD and described it as a prosperous kingdom with a developed port. He mentioned continuous maritime traffic and trade in products such as cloth, leather and cotton, as well as the import of horses.

Friar Jordanus visited Thane between 1321 and 1324 and described the city as being under Muslim administration. He also recorded information about the early Christian presence in Thane.

Travellers such as Ibn Battuta and Abul Feda also referred to Thane as Kukin Tana and highlighted its importance as a port. The city was associated with the production of a type of cloth known as “Tanasi”.

Portuguese and Maratha Rule

The Portuguese arrived in Thane in 1530 and ruled the region for more than 200 years, until 1739. During this period, Thane was known as Cacabe de Tana. Construction of Thane Fort began in 1730.

The Marathas conquered Bassein and Thane in 1737 and 1739. Their control continued until 1784, when the British captured the fort and established Thane as an important administrative centre.

British Period and Municipal Administration

Under British rule, Thane became the headquarters of the district administration, with a District Collector stationed in the city. The Thane Municipal Council was established in 1863, when the city had a population of around 9,000.

Thane After Independence

After India's independence, Thane developed gradually and became an important industrial city during the 1960s and 1970s. Commercial activities, transportation and construction also expanded significantly.

During the 1980s and 1990s, Thane experienced rapid development in construction and housing. The city's population increased considerably, and Thane emerged as an important suburb of Mumbai.

How to Reach Thane

By Air

Thane is approximately 25 km from the international airport located in Mumbai.

By Train

Thane is connected by broad-gauge railway lines with Mumbai and Pune.

By Road

National and state highways connect Thane district headquarters with its various tehsils and villages. National Highway 8 passes through the district, while Thane is also connected with NH-4 and NH-17.

Hotels in Thane

• Hotel Royal Inn
• Hotel Prasad International
• The Pride