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Thane (Marathi: [ˈʈʰaːɳeː]; known as Thana, until 1996) is a metropolitan city located on the coast of Maharashtra in India and north-east of Mumbai. It is an immediate neighbour of Mumbai city proper, and a part of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. It is situated in the north-east of Salsette Island.
Key Information
Thane city is situated entirely within Thane taluka, and serves as headquarters of Thane district. Thane city is the 15th most populous city in India, with a population of 1,890,000 according to the 2011 census.[1]
Etymology and other names
[edit]The ancient name of Thana was Śrīsthāna. It appears as Thāna in early medieval Arab sources.[2]
The name Thane has been variously Romanised as Tana,[3] Thana,[4] Thâṇâ,[5] and Thame.[6] Ibn Battuta and Abulfeda knew it as Kukin Tana; Duarte Barbosa as Tana Mayambu.[7] Before 1996, the city was called "Thana", the British spelling of the city.
History
[edit]Thane emerged as an urban area during the reign of the Shilahara dynasty of north Konkan (c. 800-1265 CE).[8] It was variously known as Srī-sthānaka, Sthānaka, or Srī-sthāna. The 1053 CE Chinchani inscription of Vija-ranaka of Modha family states that brahmanas from Srī-sthāna settled at Samyana in his territory.[9] A 1094 CE Shilahara inscription refers to Srī-sthānaka as a velakula, that is, a harbour that was an important centre for import and export.[10]
Thane finds a mention in the Mahikavatichi Bakhar, a 15th-17th century Marathi-language text of doubtful veracity. According to the text, Prince Pratap Bimb, the brother of Champaner's king Govardhan Bimb, established a new kingdom by conquering territories in the Konkan region. In the 12th century, His general Balkrishn-rao Somvanshi captured Thane from the Shilahara king Yashwant-rao, and went on to conquer the surrounding territories. In the 13th century, Nagar-shah - the ruler of Ghandivi (Gandevi) - captured the area. His relatives demanded control of three villages - Malad, Marol and Thane - as a reward for their good performance in this military campaign. When Nagar-shah refused their demand, they allied with the imperial Yadavas of Devagiri. The area subsequently came under the control of the Yadava prince Bimb-dev, before Nagarshah regained control of it as a vassal of the Delhi Sultanate. Subsequently, the area was successively ruled by some local families, the Muzaffarids of Gujarat, and the Portuguese.[8]
The Thane area was contested between the Portuguese, the Mughals and the Marathas in the 17th century, with Shivaji capturing it from the Mughals in 1675.[11] Later, the Portuguese regained control of Thane, and started building a fort there in 1734, but the Marathas captured it in 1737.[8] The East India Company occupied Salsette Island, Thana Fort, Fort Versova and the island fort of Karanja at the start of First Anglo-Maratha War, but after a short time it was recaptured by the forces of Haripant Phadke and Tukoji Holkar. After the conclusion of the Treaty of Salbai (1782), both Thana Fort and the island of Salsette were taken over by the British.[12]
Geography
[edit]
Climate
[edit]Thane has a tropical monsoon climate that borders on a tropical wet and dry climate. The overall climate is equable with high rainfall days and minimal days of extreme temperatures.
Temperature in Thane varies from 22 °C to 36 °C, with winter temperatures as low as 12 °C at night, and summer temperatures reaching 40 °C at noon. Lowest daytime temperatures are typically during the summer monsoon peak in July and August, when temperatures can plummet to 25 °C. Around 80% of the total annual rainfall is concentrated in June to October. The average annual rainfall is recorded at 2000–2500mm, and the humidity level ranges from 61% to 86%, rendering the area a humid zone.
| Climate data for Thane (1991-2020) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 36.8 (98.2) |
40.7 (105.3) |
42.4 (108.3) |
43.2 (109.8) |
39.3 (102.7) |
38.2 (100.8) |
34.7 (94.5) |
33.3 (91.9) |
33.8 (92.8) |
37.8 (100.0) |
37.0 (98.6) |
36.2 (97.2) |
43.2 (109.8) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 32.5 (90.5) |
33.9 (93.0) |
35.1 (95.2) |
36.1 (97.0) |
35.0 (95.0) |
33.5 (92.3) |
31.2 (88.2) |
30.4 (86.7) |
31.1 (88.0) |
34.0 (93.2) |
34.1 (93.4) |
33.4 (92.1) |
33.5 (92.3) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 20.0 (68.0) |
20.6 (69.1) |
22.1 (71.8) |
24.3 (75.7) |
25.3 (77.5) |
23.6 (74.5) |
25.0 (77.0) |
25.0 (77.0) |
24.4 (75.9) |
24.2 (75.6) |
22.6 (72.7) |
21.1 (70.0) |
23.0 (73.4) |
| Record low °C (°F) | 12.7 (54.9) |
11.6 (52.9) |
18.2 (64.8) |
20.0 (68.0) |
22.8 (73.0) |
20.2 (68.4) |
21.3 (70.3) |
21.8 (71.2) |
19.8 (67.6) |
19.6 (67.3) |
17.0 (62.6) |
15.0 (59.0) |
11.6 (52.9) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 3.1 (0.12) |
1.0 (0.04) |
1.5 (0.06) |
2.3 (0.09) |
25.1 (0.99) |
541.3 (21.31) |
922.0 (36.30) |
539.7 (21.25) |
326.9 (12.87) |
93.2 (3.67) |
19.1 (0.75) |
2.3 (0.09) |
2,477.5 (97.54) |
| Source 1: India Meteorological Department[13] | |||||||||||||
| Source 2: Government of Maharashtra (precipitation) | |||||||||||||
Thane has been ranked 12th best "National Clean Air City" (under Category 1 >10L Population cities) in India according to 'Swachh Vayu Survekshan 2024 Results' [14]
Lakes
[edit]| No. | Name | Image | Details | Coordinates | Area (in hectares) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ambe Ghosale Lake | At Meenatai Thakare Chowk, Castle Mill Naka (Opposite Desai Bunglow) in Uthalsar Ward committee | 19°12′18″N 72°58′31″E / 19.2050793°N 72.9752154°E | 2.77 | |
| 2 | Brahamala Lake | Near Babubhai Petrol Pump in Uthalsar Ward Committee | 19°12′10″N 72°58′16″E / 19.2027567°N 72.9709916°E | 0.5173 | |
| 3 | Burbank Lake | Inside Hiranandani Estate, between Park Avenue and Wood Street. To the west of it is Lake Enclave. | 19°15′36″N 72°58′52″E / 19.2599707°N 72.9811942°E | 0.5857 | |
| 4 | Datiwali Lake | East side of Diva station situated in the marshland of Ulhas river in Mumbra Ward Committee Area | 19°11′02″N 73°03′07″E / 19.1839962°N 73.0519473°E | 0.77 | |
| 5 | Dawala Lake | At Ovala in Majiwada-Manpada Prabhag Samiti | 1.136 | ||
| 6 | Desai Lake | On westside of Ulhas river, in Desai village in Mumbra Ward Committee | 19°09′51″N 73°04′10″E / 19.1641232°N 73.0694575°E | 1.75 | |
| 7 | Devasar Lake | At the end of Bhayanderpada at foothills of Sanjay Gandhi National Park in Majiwada-Manpada Ward Committee | 0.516 | ||
| 8 | Diaghar Lake | At the outskirts of Diaghar village in Mumbra Ward Committee | 19°08′17″N 73°03′05″E / 19.1379237°N 73.051289°E | 0.363 | |
| 9 | Diva Lake | Situated just outside Diva station in Mumbra Ward Committee | 0.405 | ||
| 10 | Gokul Nagar Lake | It is a small lake situated in the heart of the city in the midst of Gokulnagar slums in Uthalsar Ward Committee | 19°12′32″N 72°58′34″E / 19.2089166°N 72.9761032°E | 0.325 | |
| 11 | Hariyali Lake | Near Thane Railway Station in Kopari Ward Committee | 19°11′09″N 72°58′24″E / 19.1857429°N 72.9733627°E | 0.7939 | |
| 12 | Jail Lake | Opp. Post Office beside Jail Water Tank in Uthalsar Ward committee | 19°11′59″N 72°58′35″E / 19.1997839°N 72.9762712°E | 1.43 | |
| 13 | Jogila Lake | Near Uthalsar Ward office | approx 0.1 | ||
| 14 | Kacharali Lake | Opp. TMC Head Office in Naupada Ward Committee | 19°11′48″N 72°57′50″E / 19.196585°N 72.96397553°E | 2 | |
| 15 | Kalwa Lake | Kalwa Ward office. Located close to railway station | 2 | ||
| 16 | Kasar-Wadavali Lake | Majivada, Manpada Ward office | 19°16′18″N 72°58′11″E / 19.2715869°N 72.9697747°E | 4.5173 | |
| 17 | Kausa Lake | Mumbra Ward office, Kausa | 19°09′56″N 73°01′36″E / 19.1655582°N 73.0266244°E | 1.5173 | |
| 18 | Kavesar Lake | Situated at Waghbill road | 2.1746 | ||
| 19 | Khardi Lake | The lake is situated in premises of khardipada, Shil | approx. 1.15 | ||
| 20 | Kharegaon Lake | Kalwa Ward office | 0.7377 | ||
| 21 | Khidkali Lake | Mumbra Ward office Khidkali Lake is situated on the eastern side of the Thane creek near the Shil phata | 1.7 | ||
| 22 | Kolbad Lake | Uthalsar Ward office | 19°12′18″N 72°58′14″E / 19.2050383°N 72.9705398°E | 1 | |
| 23 | Kolshet Lake | Manpada Ward office | 19°14′18″N 72°59′16″E / 19.2382826°N 72.9877929°E | 1 | |
| 24 | Makhamali Talav | Uthalsar Ward office | 19°11′55″N 72°58′02″E / 19.1985078°N 72.9670846°E | 1 | |
| 25 | Masunda Lake (Talao Pali) | Masunda Lake (also known as Talao Pali) is located on West of Thane, in the heart of Thane city. The lake is surrounded by important historic places like Gadkari Rangayatan, St. John church, Kopineshwar temple and Jambli market. There is a Mahadev Dhyan Mandir at the centre of the lake and also a statue of Shivaji Maharaj near the lake. | 19°11′35″N 72°58′26″E / 19.193°N 72.974°E | 7.2 | |
| 26 | Naar Lake | Naar Lake is situated on outskirts of Thane along the Ghodbunder road | 0.7550 | ||
| 27 | Phadakepada Lake | Mumbra Ward office | 19°09′28″N 73°02′11″E / 19.1577508°N 73.0362564°E | 1.71 | |
| 28 | Railadevi Lake | Railadevi Ward office | 19°11′21″N 72°57′26″E / 19.1893°N 72.9571°E | 8 | |
| 29 | Rewale Lake | Majivada-manpada Ward office | 19°13′08″N 72°58′44″E / 19.2188281°N 72.9788438°E | 0.5173 | |
| 30 | Shill Lake | Mumbra Ward office | 6 | ||
| 31 | Shivaji Nagar, Balkumb Lake | The lake is situated along old agra road next to water supply line in Balkum area | 0.2247 | ||
| 32 | Siddheshwar Lake | Uthalsar Ward office | 19°12′05″N 72°57′51″E / 19.2013031°N 72.9641928°E | 3 | |
| 33 | Upvan Lake | Lake is located at the foothills of Yeoor. A statue of Lord Shiva is situated in the middle of the lake. A Ganesh temple is situated near lake. | 19°13′17″N 72°57′18″E / 19.2213999°N 72.9549703°E | 6 | |
| Reference:[15] | |||||
Demographics
[edit]| Year | Pop. | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 1901 | 16,011 | — |
| 1911 | 15,591 | −2.6% |
| 1921 | 22,639 | +45.2% |
| 1931 | 21,816 | −3.6% |
| 1941 | 29,751 | +36.4% |
| 1951 | 74,310 | +149.8% |
| 1961 | 109,215 | +47.0% |
| 1971 | 207,352 | +89.9% |
| 1981 | 431,667 | +108.2% |
| 1991 | 803,389 | +86.1% |
| 2001 | 1,262,551 | +57.2% |
| 2011 | 1,841,488 | +45.9% |
| Source: Government of India[17] | ||
The population of Thane according to the 2011 census is 1,886,941.[18] The average literacy rate of Thane city is 91.36 percent for where male and female literacy was 94.19 and 88.14 percent respectively. The sex ratio of Thane city is 882 females per 1000 males. Child sex ratio is 900 girls per 1000 boys. Total children (0–6) in Thane city are 186,259 as per Census India report on 2011. There were 98,017 boys while 88,242 are girls. Children form 10.24% of total population of Thane City.
The primary language spoken in Thane is Marathi, with widespread understanding and usage of Hindi. Some of the East Indian families in the Khatri ward of Thane still speak Portuguese.[19] About 1,800 of India's approximately 5,000 Jews live in Thane.[20]
At the time of the 2011 census, 48.50% of the population spoke Marathi, 19.59% Hindi, 12.99% Urdu, 3.93% Gujarati, 2.44% Bhojpuri, 1.37% Kannada, 1.29% Malayalam, 1.21% Bengali, 1.15% Tamil, 1.14% Marwari and 0.94% Konkani as their first language.[21]
Sports
[edit]Cricket is the most popular sport in Thane. Dadoji Kondadev Stadium, a sports arena of cricket is present in the city. Thane comes under jurisdiction of Mumbai Cricket Association, the governing body for cricket in Mumbai. Its players play for the Mumbai cricket team in Indian domestic cricket.[22]
Transport
[edit]Railways
[edit]Thana was the terminus for the first ever passenger train in Asia. On 16 April 1853, the passenger train service was inaugurated between Bori Bunder (Bombay) and Thane.[23] Covering a distance of 34 km (21 mi), it was hauled by three locomotives: Sahib, Sindh and Sultan. The Thane viaducts, the first railway bridges, were built over the Thane creek when the Mumbai-Thane line was extended to Kalyan in May 1854.
Thane is connected with neighbouring suburbs through Central and Trans-Harbour Line Suburban railway network. Thane is a railway junction for the Thane-Vashi & Panvel Harbour Line and Central Line. It is one of the busiest stations in India and handles 654,000 passengers daily.[24][25]
Thane railway station will soon be revamped, Work to start soon on Rs 800-crore project.[26]
Metro
[edit]As of January 2021, the MMRDA, the nodal agency for building 300 km of vast Metro network, has proposed a plan to build an elevated depot for three Metro lines : 4 (Wadala-Thane-Kasarvadavali), 4A (Kasarvadavali-Gaimukh), 10 (Gaimukh-Shivaji Nagar) and 11 (Wadala-General Post Office, CSMT) at one stop. This depot is proposed at Mogharpada, Thane. The total project cost is estimated to be ₹ 596.60 crore.[27]
As of 2019, Wadala and Thane are being connected through a Metro line.[28]
On 26 August 2015, the MMRDA sanctioned ₹354 billion for 118 km Mumbai metro network. This includes a 40-km Wadala-Ghatkopar-Thane-Kasarvadavali Metro-4 corridor via Wadala GPO and R.A.Kidwai Marg costing ₹120 billion.[29]
On 16 August 2024, the Union Government gave its approval for Thane Metro, a 29 km ring metro project.[30] It will have 22 stations, and is expected to open in 2029. It will be executed by Maha Metro.
Thane Municipal Transport (TMT)
[edit]Thane Municipal Corporation started its transport service on 9 February 1989, known as Thane Municipal Transport (TMT). TMT provides services in Thane city and suburbs like Mulund, Borivali, Mira Road, Nala Sopara, Vasai, Bhiwandi and Navi Mumbai, among others.[31]
| Number of — | Details |
|---|---|
| Buses | 299 |
| Routes | 45 |
| Depots |
|
| Bus stands | 8 |
| Bus stops | 874[31] |
| km travelled per day | 63,135 |
| Daily bus trips | 7,114 |
| Daily passengers | 280,017 |
| Daily income | ₹1,388,547/- |
| km travelled per day per bus | 211 |
| Employees | 2,558[31] |
Navi Mumbai Municipal Transport (NMMT)
[edit]
Navi Mumbai Municipal Transport (NMMT) operates AC and Non-AC buses from Thane Cidco Bus Stand to various parts of Navi Mumbai (Airoli, Rabale, Ghansoli, Mahape, Kopar Khairane, Vashi, Turbhe, Nerul, Belapur, Kharghar, Kalamboli, Panvel) and also to Purna (via Kalher) and Bhiwandi (via Mankoli).
Mira Bhayandar Municipal Transport (MBMT)
[edit]
Mira-Bhayandar Municipal Transport (MBMT) started from 2006. The buses ply from Dahisar Check naka towards Versova [Thane] Check naka. So till now majority of MBMT buses can be taken up at the Check naka only. MBMT has started new services to Thane City from January 2010.
| Route | Route No | Starting | Destination (Thane) | Route Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ordinary | 7 | Bhayander Railway Station (West) | Ghodbunder Village | Kashimira[32] |
| Limited | 10 LTD | Bhayander Railway Station (West) | Thane Railway Station (East) | Ghodbunder Road |
| Ordinary | 29 | Mira Road Railway Station | Marathon Chowk (Teen Haath Naka) | Ghodbunder Road |
Vasai-Virar Municipal Transport (VVMT)
[edit]Vasai Virar Municipal Transport (VVMT) operates two routes in Thane. First from Vasai to Mulund Via Thane/Ghodbunder road and second from Nala Sopara to Thane Kopri.
Future of transport in Thane
[edit]A light rail network covering 42 km has been proposed in three phases. In the first phase, consultants have suggested connectivity between Balkum and Kolshet via Naupada. It will be 16.05 km long with 14.65 km elevated, and only 1.4 km on the surface, and 11 stations in all.[33]
Education
[edit]Schools
[edit]- D.A.V. Public School, Thane
- Euroschool, Thane West
- Hiranandani Foundation School
- Holy Cross Convent High School
- Little Flower High School, Thane
- New Horizon Scholars School, Thane
- Podar International School[34]
- Smt. Sulochanadevi Singhania School
- Sri Ma Vidyalaya, Patlipada, Thane
- St. John the Baptist High School, Thane
- Vasant Vihar High School
Colleges and Institutes
[edit]Notable people
[edit]- Amrita Arora, film actress
- Malaika Arora, film actress and dancer
- Jitendra Awhad, Indian politician
- Anand Dighe, former politician, popular by honorific "Dharmaveer". He was unit chief of Shiv Sena in Thane district.
- Hruta Durgule, Indian television actress
- Poorva Gokhale, television actress
- Avinash Jadhav, politician
- Suhas Joshi, film-television actor
- Umesh Kamat, film-television actor
- Sanjay Mukund Kelkar, politician
- Prajakta Koli, YouTuber
- Kavita Lad, film-television actress
- Pramod Mahajan, Indian politician
- Priya Marathe, television actress
- Sanjeev Naik, politician
- Anand Paranjpe, politician
- Prakash Vishvanath Paranjape, politician
- Ravindra Phatak, politician
- Satish Pradhan, local politician
- Pratap Sarnaik, politician
- Prithvi Shaw, professional cricketer
- Eknath Shinde, present Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra
- Shrikant Shinde, Indian politician
- Anant Tare, local politician
- Laxmi Narayan Tripathi, Indian LGBT activist
- Rajan Vichare, local politician
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "District Profile | Thane District, Govt. of Maharashtra | India". Retrieved 22 January 2021.
- ^ Verdon, Noémie (2015), "Conceptualisation of al-Hind by Arabic and Persian writers", in Himanshu Prabha Ray (ed.), Negotiating Cultural Identity: Landscapes in Early Medieval South Asian History, Routledge, p. 38, ISBN 978-1-317-34130-7
- ^ Butler, Alban; Peter Doyle, eds. (c. 1756), "Bd Thomas of Tolentino", Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs, and Other Principal Saints, A&C Black, p. 68, ISBN 9780860122531
{{citation}}: ISBN / Date incompatibility (help). - ^ Habig, Marion Alphonse (1979), The Franciscan Book of Saints, Franciscan Herald Press, cited in "Thomas of Tolentino and Companions", Roman Catholic Saints, retrieved 9 November 2016.
- ^ Cunha, J. Gerson da (1876), Notes on the History and Antiquities of Chaul and Bassein, Bombay, p. 174, ISBN 9788120608450
{{citation}}: ISBN / Date incompatibility (help)CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link). - ^ "Bl. Thomas of Tolentino", Catholic Online.
- ^ Cunha (1876), p. 16.
- ^ a b c Mayur Thakare (2016). "The Witness of Ages: Archaeology of the Madh Island and Versova, Mumbai Suburban District" (PDF). Heritage: Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies in Archaeology. 4: 547–551, 563–567.
- ^ Malati Mahajan (1989). A Cultural History of Maharashtra and Goa: From Place Name Inscriptions. Sundeep Prakashan. pp. 64, 162. ISBN 9788185067230.
- ^ Himanshu Prabha Ray (2016). "Contested Sea Spaces: Of Piracy and Sea Battles Along the West Coast of India". Bridging the Gulf. India International Centre. p. 134. ISBN 9789350981436.
- ^ Arun Kumar Sharma (2004). Heritage of Tansa Valley. Bharatiya Kala Prakashan. p. 46. ISBN 9788180900297.
- ^ Sardesai, Govind (1915). New History of the Marathas Volume III. Phoenix Publications. p. 119.
- ^ "Climatological Tables of Observatories in India 1991-2020" (PDF). India Meteorological Department. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
- ^ "Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan 2024" (PDF). Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan 2024. 7 September 2024.
- ^ "Thane Municipal Corporation | Lakes in Thane City". Archived from the original on 19 January 2017. Retrieved 18 January 2017.
- ^ "Table C-16 Population By Religion: Maharashtra". census.gov.in. Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India. 2011.
- ^ "Census Tables". censusindia.gov.in. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
- ^ Census of India: Sub-District Details Archived 21 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine. Censusindia.gov.in. Retrieved 16 July 2013.
- ^ Thane Gazetteer: Population: Christians – Speech Archived 10 November 2010 at the Wayback Machine. Maharashtra.gov.in. Retrieved 21 January 2012.
- ^ "Jew in Thane". The Times of India. 20 October 2013. Archived from the original on 23 December 2017. Retrieved 25 October 2017.
- ^ a b "Table C-16 Population By Mother Tongue: Maharashtra (Town level)". census.gov.in. Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India. 2011.
- ^ "महिला आयपीएल लिलावा ठाण्यात" [Women's Premier League auction in Thane.]. Lokmat. 2 February 2023. p. 10. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
- ^ Colonialism: An International, Social, Cultural and Political encyclopedia By Melvin Eugene Page, Penny M. Sonnenburg, page 135 Archived 7 July 2014 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Thane is busiest railway station in Mumbai – Times Of India . Articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com (19 May 2013). Retrieved 16 July 2013.
- ^ "Kalyan, Kurla and Thane among the 10 dirtiest stations in the country". Archived from the original on 30 December 2018.
- ^ "Work to start soon on Rs 800-crore revamp of Thane railway station: Maharashtra minister". timesofindia.indiatimes.com. 31 May 2023.
- ^ "Elevated Metro depot in Thane for 3 lines to cost Rs 596.60 crore". Free Press Journal. Retrieved 5 April 2021.
- ^ Soon, take a metro from south Mumbai to Thane Archived 30 April 2013 at the Wayback Machine. Hindustan Times (23 April 2013). Retrieved 16 July 2013.
- ^ Reporter, B. S. (26 August 2015). "MMRDA sanctions Rs 35,400 cr for 118 km Mumbai metro network". Archived from the original on 28 August 2015. Retrieved 27 August 2015.
- ^ "Maha Metro". www.mahametro.org. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
- ^ a b c [1] Archived 13 November 2008 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Know your Town Better Archived 9 March 2010 at the Wayback Machine. Mira-Road.com.
- ^ Times of India report. timesofindia.indiatimes.com. (26 December 2005).
- ^ "Podar International School". podareducation.org. Archived from the original on 13 April 2019. Retrieved 13 April 2019.
- ^ "Best Vocational Education & Training Courses Institute in India | RAGC". Rustomjee Academy For Global Careers. Archived from the original on 12 April 2019. Retrieved 13 April 2019.
External links
[edit]- Thaneweb.com—The city portal
- Official Website of Thane Forest Circle Archived 23 May 2018 at the Wayback Machine
- ThaneMahapailika.com Archived 14 May 2019 at the Wayback Machine—Thane Municipal Corporation (Local Body)
- Official website of Thane City
- Thane District
Thane
View on GrokipediaThane is a metropolitan city in the Indian state of Maharashtra, serving as the administrative headquarters of Thane district and forming a core part of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. Positioned northeast of Mumbai on Salsette Island, it is renowned as the "City of Lakes" for hosting over 30 significant water bodies that enhance its ecological and recreational profile.[1]
Covering an area of 128 square kilometers, Thane had an estimated population of 2.6 million residents as of 2021, reflecting rapid urbanization and its role as a commuter suburb with substantial residential and industrial development.[2][3]
Historically, Thane marked a pivotal moment in India's infrastructure evolution as the terminus of the subcontinent's first passenger railway line, which commenced operations from Mumbai on April 16, 1853, under the Great Indian Peninsula Railway. The city's economy thrives on industries such as chemicals, engineering, plastics, and textiles, bolstered by eight industrial estates and proximity to major transport corridors including railways and the Eastern Express Highway.[4][5]
Etymology
Origins and Historical Designations
The name Thane derives from the ancient Sanskrit term Śrīsthāna or Prakrit Sthānaka, signifying a "place" or "settlement," as evidenced by inscriptions linking it to early urban centers in the Konkan region.[6] A copper plate inscription dated 997 CE explicitly references the city as Shree-Sthanak, confirming its designation as a key administrative or trading locale under the Shilahara dynasty, which ruled north Konkan from approximately 800 to 1265 CE.[7] This etymology aligns with the site's strategic position along ancient trade routes near Thane Creek, though the name itself stems from linguistic roots denoting a stationary or established post rather than direct geographic nomenclature.[6] In medieval Arab accounts, the settlement appeared as Thāna or Kukin Tana, as recorded by traveler Ibn Battuta in 1344 CE during his visit, reflecting phonetic adaptations in Persianate sources while preserving the core Indo-Aryan form. European colonial records further evolved the designation: Portuguese explorers and administrators romanized it as Tana or Thana by the 16th century, with Duarte Barbosa describing it as Tana Mayambu in his 1518 accounts of coastal ports.[8] These variations underscore the persistence of Marathi-Prakrit influences amid Iberian phonetic transcription, without alteration to the underlying referent for the fortified coastal outpost. The modern Marathi form Ṭhāṇe retains this heritage, occasionally interpreted in colonial contexts as evoking a "police station" or checkpoint due to British administrative overlays post-1818, though primary etymological evidence prioritizes the pre-colonial Sthānaka as denoting a foundational settlement hub.[9] Early maps, such as those from the 19th century, consistently map the locale under Thana, linking it to creek-adjacent fortifications without introducing novel derivations.[10]History
Ancient Foundations and Medieval Developments
Archaeological evidence from the Thane region, including ancient weapons unearthed in local excavations, indicates human presence predating the Common Era, with structured settlements emerging by around 600 BCE amid early coastal trade activities.[11] The nearby port of Sopara (ancient Śūrpāraka), integral to Thane's early economy, hosted Buddhist stupas from the 3rd century BCE, including one erected under Emperor Ashoka to house Buddha's relics, reflecting Mauryan imperial influence and religious propagation.[12] This site facilitated maritime trade via western coastal routes, evidenced by Roman coins and artifacts recovered from Sopara and associated Maharashtra ports, linking the area to Indo-Roman commerce in spices, textiles, and metals during the 1st century BCE to 2nd century CE.[13] [14] Following the Mauryan decline, the Satavahana dynasty (c. 1st century BCE–2nd century CE) incorporated Thane into its Deccan domain, administering the Konkan through feudatories known as Mahabhojas in Thane and neighboring Kolaba districts, as recorded in period inscriptions.[15] These rulers maintained Thane as a fortified outpost to secure trade corridors, with defensive wooden barricades noted in contemporaneous sites signaling community protection amid expanding commerce.[16] Subsequent Chalukya (6th–12th centuries CE) and Yadava (Seuna) dynasties (12th–13th centuries CE) extended control over the region as part of broader Deccan hegemony, positioning Thane as a strategic coastal bastion under Yadava kings like Bhillama V, who consolidated power from Devagiri amid feudal vassalage.[17] Medieval transitions accelerated after the Yadavas' fall to Delhi Sultanate forces around 1294 CE, with Thane briefly under Bahmani Sultanate influence before Gujarat Sultanate conquest in 1430 CE, when Ahmad Shah's army under Zafar Khan seized it from Bahmani control.[18] By 1480 CE, Sultan Mahmud Begada elevated Thane to the capital of his Subha province, enhancing its administrative role and prompting fortifications to defend against regional rivals, including early stone defenses predating Portuguese overlays in the mid-15th century.[19] [20] These shifts underscored causal dynamics of military expansion and trade imperatives, transitioning Thane from Hindu dynastic outpost to Islamic sultanate stronghold while preserving its port significance.Colonial Period under Portuguese and British Rule
The Portuguese seized Thane from the Gujarat Sultanate in 1533, recognizing its strategic coastal position for controlling trade routes along the Konkan coast.[9] They fortified the area by constructing Thane Fort, which served as a defensive bastion and base for naval operations, including shipbuilding to bolster their fleet against regional rivals.[21] Missionary efforts by Franciscan orders accompanied this military presence, leading to the erection of churches such as those documented in Indo-Portuguese architectural styles, which integrated with local settlements and facilitated cultural exchanges tied to fortifications and commerce.[22] These activities underscored Thane's role in Portugal's "Estado da Índia," though economic focus remained on maritime extraction rather than inland development. Portuguese dominance ended in 1739 with Maratha reconquest led by Chimaji Appa, following the decisive siege and capture of nearby Vasai Fort on May 16, which extended Maratha control over Thane and northern Konkan territories previously held by the Portuguese.[23] This shift disrupted Portuguese shipbuilding and trade outposts, temporarily reverting the region to indigenous administration under Peshwa oversight. British East India Company influence solidified in the late 18th century amid Maratha internal divisions, with Thane integrated into Company territories by the 1780s through alliances and acquisitions in the Salsette-Thane corridor.[24] Administrative reforms emphasized revenue collection, including monopolized salt production in Thane's coastal pans, which supplied Bombay markets but contributed to local economic rigidity and port stagnation as Bombay's harbor eclipsed Thane's older facilities.[9] A pivotal infrastructural milestone occurred on April 16, 1853, when Thane became the terminus of India's inaugural passenger railway, the 34-kilometer Great Indian Peninsula Railway line from Bombay (Mumbai), operated by three locomotives hauling 400 passengers and marking the onset of colonial rail expansion for resource extraction and troop mobility.[25] This connectivity accelerated demographic fluxes, exacerbated by 19th-century famines like the 1876–1878 Deccan event, which depopulated rural Thane tracts through migration and mortality, per East India Company famine reports documenting crop failures and relief inadequacies.[26]Modern Expansion and Post-Independence Urbanization
Following India's independence in 1947, Thane evolved from a peripheral settlement into a key Mumbai suburb, driven by spillover population and economic pressures from the metropolis. The city's integration into the newly formed Maharashtra state on May 1, 1960, after the bifurcation of the bilingual Bombay State, enabled targeted regional development policies that accelerated administrative reorganization and infrastructure planning.[27] By the 1960s and 1970s, Thane emerged as an industrial hub, with significant expansion in textiles and chemicals, particularly in nearby Bhiwandi and Dombivali areas, contributing to rapid urbanization fueled by job opportunities and migration.[28][29] Economic liberalization in the early 1990s catalyzed a residential construction surge, transforming Thane into a preferred extension of Mumbai's housing market amid rising land costs in the core city. Ghodbunder Road, initially a modest two-lane connector, underwent substantial development into a vibrant corridor lined with high-rise apartments and commercial complexes, exemplifying policy-driven suburban sprawl.[30][31] This period saw Thane district's population growth rate peak at 54.86% between 1991 and 2001, reflecting influxes from rural areas and inter-state migration seeking urban amenities.[32] The 2011 census recorded Thane district's population at 11,060,148, with a decadal growth of 35.97% from 2001, prompting intensified urban planning to manage density and infrastructure strain.[33] Recent expansions include high budget utilization for district-wide improvements, with 99.98% of the Rs 1,167.37 crore allocation expended in 2024-25, supporting road widening, water supply enhancements, and transit links to mitigate congestion from ongoing suburbanization.[34] These efforts align with Maharashtra's broader push to accommodate Thane's role as a counter-magnet to Mumbai's overcrowding, evidenced by sustained policy focus on sustainable urban corridors.[35]Geography
Topography and Location
Thane is located at approximately 19°12′N 72°58′E, positioned on the northeastern extremity of Salsette Island within the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.[36] The city center sits at an elevation of about 8 meters above sea level, characteristic of its coastal plain setting.[37] Thane Creek delineates the eastern boundary of Salsette Island, separating the urban core of Thane from the adjacent mainland Konkan region and facilitating tidal influences on local geography.[38] Approximately 25 kilometers northeast of central Mumbai by road, Thane's proximity integrates it into regional commuter networks via rail and highway connections.[39] The topography features low-lying areas transitioning to the foothills of the Sahyadri (Western Ghats) range in the district's eastern and northern extents, with elevations rising gradually toward hilly terrains.[40] Following the 2014 bifurcation that created Palghar district from its northern areas, Thane district encompasses roughly 4,214 square kilometers of diverse physiographic zones, from estuarine lowlands to pre-ghat uplands.[41]Climate Patterns
Thane exhibits a tropical monsoon climate, classified under the Köppen system as Am, marked by distinct wet and dry seasons driven by the southwest monsoon. Annual precipitation averages approximately 2,400 mm, with over 90% concentrated between June and September, when the region receives intense rainfall from moisture-laden winds originating over the Arabian Sea.[42] Temperatures typically range from 20°C in winter lows to 35–40°C during summer peaks, with relative humidity often exceeding 80% during the monsoon, contributing to muggy conditions. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) records indicate that pre-monsoon months (March–May) feature rising temperatures and occasional heatwaves, with maximums frequently surpassing 35°C and low convective activity leading to dry spells.[43] The monsoon season dominates hydrological patterns, delivering peak monthly rainfall in July, often exceeding 600 mm, which sustains the region's water resources but also heightens risks of waterlogging. Post-monsoon transition (October–November) brings moderating temperatures around 25–30°C and tapering rains, while the winter (December–February) offers the driest period with minimal precipitation under 10 mm monthly and comfortable daytime highs of 28–32°C. IMD observations highlight elevated cyclone vulnerability from the Arabian Sea, though direct impacts on Thane remain infrequent, with historical events like Cyclone Nisarga in 2020 causing peripheral disruptions through enhanced rainfall rather than landfall. Humidity levels drop to 50–60% in the dry season, alleviating discomfort but exposing the area to dust and haze. Long-term meteorological records from the IMD reveal shifts toward more variable precipitation since the early 2000s, including intensified extreme events amid broader climate variability. Annual rainfall has shown episodes above long-period averages, such as 106% of normal in July 2025, correlating with increased flooding incidence during monsoons. This trend aligns with urban expansion's causal effects, where proliferation of impervious surfaces—concrete and asphalt covering former permeable land—reduces infiltration rates, elevating surface runoff and flash flood susceptibility for equivalent rainfall volumes, as evidenced by recurrent inundations in low-lying areas despite no proportional rise in total precipitation.[44] Heatwave frequency has also edged upward in pre-monsoon periods, with durations extending beyond historical norms, though mitigated somewhat by coastal proximity. These patterns underscore Thane's exposure to amplified hydro-meteorological risks under ongoing anthropogenic modifications to the landscape.[45]Lakes, Rivers, and Environmental Features
Thane hosts approximately 35 lakes, earning it the moniker "City of Lakes" due to their prevalence and role in sustaining local biodiversity, including habitats for birds and aquatic species amid urban pressures.[46] These water bodies, such as Masunda Lake, Upvan Lake, Masve Lake, and Yeoor Lake, function ecologically for groundwater recharge and flood mitigation, though many exhibit elevated toxin levels threatening marine life.[47] The Thane Municipal Corporation's pollution surveys since 2016 have identified contaminants in nearly 15 lakes exceeding safe limits, underscoring degradation from urbanization.[46] The Ulhas River traverses Thane, discharging into Thane Creek to form an estuarine system rich in mangroves and mudflats that support diverse flora and fauna, including nutrient cycling via sediment deposition.[48] Thane Creek, a key distributary of the Ulhas, features brackish waters fed by multiple freshwater sources, fostering salinity gradients that enable varied faunal assemblages in its mangrove-dominated zones.[49] Historical siltation in the creek, exacerbated by decades of urban sediment and waste discharges, has reduced flow depths and altered coastal dynamics, impacting the estuary's infiltration capacity into the Arabian Sea.[50][51] Conservation initiatives by the Thane Municipal Corporation, including a dedicated lake restoration program, aim to rehabilitate these water bodies through desiltation and pollution control, countering encroachments that have diminished lake sizes like those at Upvan and Railadevi since the 2010s. Judicial interventions, such as Bombay High Court directives on wetland preservation, have addressed reclamation disputes, enforcing compliance with environmental guidelines to protect ecological integrity against development pressures.[52] Mangrove ecosystems in Thane Creek, spanning significant carbon-storing areas dominated by Avicennia marina, remain focal for such efforts, with multi-decadal monitoring revealing saturation in landward growth phases.[53][54]Demographics
Population Dynamics and Census Data
According to the 2011 Census of India, the population of Thane city (Thane Municipal Corporation area) stood at 1,841,488 residents.[55] The broader Thane district, encompassing areas later separated as Palghar district in 2014, recorded 11,060,148 inhabitants at that time.[33] This marked a decadal growth rate of approximately 35.9% for the district between 2001 and 2011, reflecting accelerated urbanization and influx from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).[56] Population density in Thane city reached 14,361 persons per square kilometer in 2011, underscoring intense urban concentration over its approximately 128 square kilometers.[57] District-wide density was lower at 1,157 persons per square kilometer, influenced by rural and semi-urban talukas prior to the administrative split.[33] The sex ratio in Thane city was 929 females per 1,000 males in 2011, higher than the district's 880.[58][59] National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5, 2019-21) data for the post-split Thane district indicated an overall sex ratio of 982 females per 1,000 males, suggesting potential sampling-based improvements in gender balance amid ongoing migration patterns.[60] Projections estimate Thane city's population exceeding 2.5 million by 2025, with a 2025 figure of around 2.69 million, driven primarily by net migration from MMR peripheries rather than natural increase alone.[61] These estimates derive from extrapolating 2011 census trends adjusted for observed urban growth rates post-2011.[62]Linguistic and Ethnic Breakdown
According to the 2011 Census of India, Marathi is the most commonly reported mother tongue in Thane city, accounting for 48.5% of the population, followed by Hindi at 19.6%, Urdu at 13.0%, Gujarati at 3.9%, Bhojpuri at 2.4%, Marwari at 1.6%, Konkani at 1.5%, Kannada at 1.4%, and smaller shares for other languages such as Bengali, Telugu, and Malayalam.[63] This composition reflects Marathi's status as the state language of Maharashtra, yet the substantial non-Marathi proportion—over 50%—stems from sustained interstate labor migration, particularly into urban-industrial zones, rather than indigenous linguistic diversity.[64]| Mother Tongue | Percentage of Population (2011) |
|---|---|
| Marathi | 48.5% |
| Hindi | 19.6% |
| Urdu | 13.0% |
| Gujarati | 3.9% |
| Bhojpuri | 2.4% |
| Others | 12.6% |
Religious Composition and Social Indicators
According to the 2011 Census of India, Hindus form the majority in Thane city at 73.91% of the population (1,361,018 individuals), followed by Muslims at 17.96% (330,719), Buddhists at 4.18% (76,916), Christians at 1.88% (34,665), Jains at 1.40% (25,826), and smaller shares for Sikhs, other religions, and those not stating a religion.[55] [68] These figures reflect the city's position within Maharashtra, where Hindu dominance aligns with state-level patterns, though Muslim representation exceeds the district average of 12.26%.[69] Thane's literacy rate stood at 89.41% in the 2011 census, surpassing the Maharashtra urban average, with male literacy at 92.14% and female at 86.33%, revealing a gender gap of 5.81 percentage points that persists despite overall progress.[55] [68] This disparity correlates with socioeconomic factors, including uneven access to education in densely populated areas. No city-specific updates post-2011 are available from official sources, though district-level efforts have aimed to narrow gaps through targeted programs. Social vulnerabilities are evident in housing metrics, with slums housing approximately 17.75% of Thane's population—326,798 residents across 76,072 households—as per municipal surveys based on 2011 census data.[70] This segment faces elevated risks of inadequate sanitation and service strain amid rapid urbanization, where Thane's 100% urban classification and proximity to Mumbai amplify density pressures (over 15,000 persons per square kilometer).[61] Fertility rates in urban Maharashtra, including Thane, hover below replacement levels at around 1.6 births per woman per National Family Health Survey estimates, yet high in-migration sustains population growth and burdens infrastructure.[71] Thane district's Human Development Index ranks among Maharashtra's higher tiers (above 0.7 in 2012 state reports), driven by economic proximity to Mumbai, but intra-city disparities in slum areas lag, underscoring uneven social progress.[72]| Religion | Percentage | Population (2011) |
|---|---|---|
| Hinduism | 73.91% | 1,361,018 |
| Islam | 17.96% | 330,719 |
| Buddhism | 4.18% | 76,916 |
| Christianity | 1.88% | 34,665 |
| Jainism | 1.40% | 25,826 |
| Others | ~0.67% | ~12,340 |
