Vasai Road
Encyclopedia
Vasai historically known as Bassein or Baçaim is a historical village to the North of the city of Mumbai in the Maharashtra
state of India
. Now, it is a part of the Vasai-Virar
city, and is governed by the Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation
.
- who sent off their voyagers to discover the possibility of rule in India.
Sultans of Gujarat continuously raided Vasai, under the leadership of Mahmud Begada
. Ultimately, in 1513, Mirat-I-Ahmadi mentions the hold of Mahmud Begada over Vasai. Sultan Bahadur Shah of Gujarat
, a foe of Humayun
, had complete hold over Vasai after 1517. Between 1513–1530 he embarked on a heavy destruction of Hindu Stone Temples, as of Burud Raja’s Palace and of the stone lined "Tirtha Sthalas", the lakes and the reservoirs. It was filled with the men of Bahadur
, who included Moors (Muslim
s of mixed Arab
and Berber
descent).
Portuguese
pirates from Goa
, as well as local chieftains, raided Vasai after the rule of the Sultans started weakening due to their fighting against the Mughals
. Vasai was burnt twice by the Portuguese. Now the town was called Baxay. These pirates started merchandise exchange and started great movement of shipping from Malabar
laden with arecas, cocoa and spices, which were later, sent along the Red Sea
.
1526 – Portuguese establish the first factory.
1529 – Heitor da Silveira attacks Ali Shah - burns and plunders Vasai. Mosques, which had been built on the site of destroyed Hindu temples, were destroyed in turn, and new Churches built on the site. Conversions to Christianity start under guidance of the Franciscan
missionary Fr. António de Porto.
1532 – Malik Tokan, Governor of Diu
for Bahadur Shah, re-fortifies Vasai. Establishes 15,000 Cavalry and Infantry.
1533 – The Portuguese General Nuno da Cunha
, along with Diogo de Silveira and Manuel de Machado, bring 150 ships – 4000 men (half Europeans, Half Goa
n and attack Vasai. Bahadur Shah cedes Vasai. Conversion to Christianity restart, again under guidance of the Franciscan Fr. António de Porto. Conversions are helped along by the orthodoxy of local Hindus: António de Porto throws bread into the well, and those who drink water from that well are automatically ostracized from the Hindu community by Shamedi
Brahmin
s; the Brahmins do not hesitate to confiscate the lands and belongings of those converted to Christianity or considered to be such . Also, the rule of King of Portugal João III starts, at whose request the Inquisition
formally started in Portugal but not in India.
1534 - The first Treaty of Bassein
signed by Sultan Bahadur of Gujarat and Portugal
on December 23 while on board the galleon São Mateus. Based on the terms of the agreement, the Portuguese Empire
's rule was recognized in the city of Bassein, as well as its territories, islands, and seas. The Mumbai Islands under Portuguese control include Colaba
, Old Woman's Island, Mumbai
, Mazagaon
, Worli
, Matunga
, and Mahim
. Salsette, Daman and Diu, Thane
, Kalyan, and Chaul
were other territories controlled and settled by the Portuguese.
1536 – António Galvano opposes a Muslim attack on Vasai, lays foundation cornerstone for the reconstruction of Bacaim Fort.
1537 – António Galvano furiously pulls down certain Muslim Mosques which were built on the foundation of Hindu temples and in their place builds the Cathedral of St. Joseph
. The Portuguese Empire
seems to favour the Franciscans. Though this continued till 1634, due to the changes in the Papal favor shown to the newly-created Jesuits (famously called "Troops of the Pope"), the Portuguese Empire
has to allow them, too, in Bassein.
1542–1580 – Clergymen under guidance of the Fathers of the Jesuit College start conversions of natives into Christianity by preaching. The Jesuit missionary Francis Xavier
of Spain, known for his zeal, arrives at Vasai in 1544, and again in 1548, to train the priests in "Evangelisation of the True Faith". Francis Xavier is famous for his quotation, "Every time a new convert smashes his idol and caste, my joy knew no bounds". (See Francis Xavier#Goa and India). Soon the Portuguese stripped the lake banks, pulled down around 200 Temples, and used the stones in building Portuguese Churches, forts and houses, religious and state buildings whose ruins still remain in Bassein.
1583 – Bacaim becomes a full fledged trade center, dealing with rice, corn and timber for ship building. Construction of the St. Joseph Cathedral is completed as well as of five Convents, thirteen Churches, an orphanage and a hospital built in the city of Bacaim - which was never done during the Brahmin rule. Of these, the Dominican
Church was built in the Fort under the invocation of São Gonçalo
.
The Jesuits intensify their evangelization movement, to increase support against the invasion of other faiths and to increase the worldwide number of Catholics as against Protestants, who were at the time on rise in Europe. The methods adopted for conversions were numerous, as is clear from the “Monita Secreta
” which reveals “Secret Instructions of the Jesuits”. The Jesuit way of carrying out missionary work was also later revealed when in 1738, British rulers at Bombay observed Jesuits to act in a hostile way, trying up tie up with peshwa a Brahmin ruler and shamedis and take control of whole of India technically the shamedis are responsible for British rule of India.
1607 – Bacaim gets international acclaim as a center of shipbuilding, as well the place of which building stone was exported (for example, the stones used to construct all the Goa
n Churches).
1618-1634 – The Portuguese slow down the pace of conversions and start maintaining good relations with unconverted natives, so as to avoid conflicts and curses and thus increase their trade in rice, pulses, grains and coconuts. They allow 200 native Christians to stay within the walls of Bacaim along with the "better class" of Christians, while craftsmen and Hindu Brahmins were not allowed to live within the walls . The Jesuit college gets reformed with a fine library of commentaries, as well as works on history and morals, and increases hospitality and makes public places of entertainment unnecessary.
1674 - 600 Arab pirates from Muscat
land at Bacaim and plunder all Churches outside of the walls, perpetrating cruel violence on native converts and non-converts alike. This marks the decay of Portuguese power. These Arabs settled in the now what is called as "Hathi Mohalla" and later spread to Papdy. Seeing this as the best opportunity, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj recommends more Pandits to settle in Kalyan and forces the Portuguese to pay one forth of Bacaim's revenue.
1690 – Bacaim striken by pestilential plague, hitting the city of Bacaim along with Ahmedabad
, Surat
, Deccan and Bombay during seven to eight years. About two thirds of the city's inhabitants perished in this calamity. During this period Phadke
of Aggassi renovated the Bhavani Shankara Mandir.
•1702 – The economic crisis in London adversely affects the trade from Vasai.
•1728 – A Portuguese officer sent from Goa
observes that outposts, stockades, forts and garrison of Bacaim were in a poor state, with only robber-like soldiers unskilled, untaught and undrilled left in the fort. Portuguese take strong steps to restructure Bacaim’s administrative structure.
•1737–1738 – Marathas
march towards Bacaim. They seize Arnala to drive out the Portugese. General Shankarji Pant informs Chimaji that that Arnala fort is a strategic fort for the naval forces that were on route to attack the Portuguese. Chimaji approved the assault on the fort. Shankarji Pant consulted and sought assistance of the local people to attack the Arnala fort; among them were Govindji Kasar and Gavraji Patil from Bolinj. Shankarji sent Gangaji Naik, Bajirao Belose and Rayajirao Surve to lead a battalion of 400 soldiers to lead the attack on Arnala fort. This attack was coordinated along with naval force commanded by Manaji Agre.
•On March 28, 1737 Maratha forces attacked the fort and surprised the Portuguese who were caught with their guard down. The Portuguese retreated and gave up the fort. The Maratha victory was commemorated with a plaque installed on the northern wall of the fort and is still visible today. Soon after the Maratha victory, Shankarji Pant began reconstruction of the fort. By January of 1738 three bastions were completed. The three bastions were named Bahirav, Bhavani and Bava. The construcation was completed by March of 1738. Later Marathas occupied Versova and Dharavi.
•1739 – The capture of Bacaim begins on February 17, 1739, under able leadership of Bajirao’s brother Chimnaji Appa. Marathas exhibit besiegning force, skill, courage and perseverance and thus Portuguese lose their commander Silveira de Menezes. But the Portuguese garrison defends with highest courage and constancy, with hand grenades, musketry and mortars. Using their technically advanced weapons and artillery, the Portuguese inflicted high casaulties on the Marathas . Angre’s fleet plays brave role and on 16 May, 1739 Marathas inflicted a decisive defeat on the Portuguese.
•Portuguese offered to capitulate, but requested to allow marching out with honours, which the Marathas accepted, as a mark of humane protocol to the defeated army. Bacaim fell from Portuguese rule as a stately tree, never to rise again.
•1739 – Bacaim was renamed as Bajipur, after the Peshwa
Bajirao. The new rulers sought to restore the Hindu culture and resettle the unconverted natives who had incurred discriminatory treatment under the Portuguese rule. The Peshwa
s brought a cadre of well trained, well learned Brahmans to purify the native converts willing to reconvert to their original Hindu
fold.
•Chimnaji Appa
restores the Nageshwar Mandir near Naga Kunda, and builds Hanuman
Mandir over a Church which might have been built on a Mosque or Temple foundation in the Fort . The oldest Trivikram Mandir in the Fort is restored over the St. Anthony's Church, as is the Vamana
Mandir of Aggasi, said to have been established by Shri Vamadev Tirtha Swami in 388 BC
. The Bhavani Shankara Mandir of Aggasi is built over the Our Lady of Light Church, and the Papdy Kshetrapaleshwar Mandir was built over Our lady of Fatima
Church .
•1767 – The Dutch
seek to establish the factory at Bassein.
•1774 – Bassein was taken by the British
but was again restored to the Marathas.
•1780 – During the First Anglo-Maratha War
The British, led by Thomas Goddard, attack Vasai between 13 November and 10 December. A force of some twenty thousand Mahrattas attempted to relieve the siege, but were repulsed at Doogaur by a British force under James Hartley
. Finally, the Mahratta garrison of Bassein surrendered.
•1782 – Under the Treaty of Salbai
(March 1782) Bassein is restored to the Marathas.
•1802 – On 31 December, the Treaty of Bassein
is concluded between the British East India Company
and Baji Rao II
, the Maratha
peshwa
of Pune
(Poona) after the Battle of Poona
. The treaty was a decisive step in the dissolution of the Maratha Confederacy.
•1817 – Bassein with the rest of North Konkan
passed to British. The British soon start establishing modern Catholic Churches including Our Blessed Lady of Mercy at Merces, Our Blessed Lady of Remedies at Remedy, St. Michael the Archangel (Manickpur
Church), Church of St. Thomas the Apostle at Sandor, Our Blessed Lady the Mother of God (Pali Church), Our Blessed Lady of Grace (Papdy Church)
•1830 – The British attempt to revive industry in Bassein by starting the sugar factory, but the scheme fails due to the death of Mr. Lingard the promoter.
•1838 – Bassein became nearly deserted with only a small population of fishermen, hunters, native converted and native unconverted ones. The population dropped down from 60,499 in the beginning of 1802 to 10,356 in 1881
•1852 – The ruined Portuguese Church of Nossa Senhora da Vida was converted by British to a sugar factory. But the factory was soon closed due to losses incurred because of poor administration.
•1856 – A road was built connecting Bassein to Manickpur
(Umela).
•1860 – The land of the fort was leased for thirty years to Major Littlewood, whose son cultivated the fields in the fort for some time. Franciscan Church, by the Bastion of Sam Sebastian, was closed under the pressure of British and Mrs Littlewood.
•1864 – The Bassein Municipality is established. A new town beside Par Naka was established in the village of Malonde. The Bassein Municipality town limit include the Old Fort, Malonde, Dhauli, Sandor, Mulgaon and many gardens and fields between Bassein and Papdy.
•1869 – Mamlatdaar Office gets established.
•1947 – Last year of British rule in Vasai.
•1947 and onwards – Rule of Union Government of India from New Delhi, by the democratically elected representatives.
Kupari. Chambhar, Gawad Bhandari, Saraswats, Palshi
, Kudal Deshkars, Panamali (Somavanshi Kshatriya Samaj), Bhandari
(Seshavanshi Kshatriya Samaj), Samvedi Brahmans, Sandori Christians, Kupari
, Aagri, Koli
, Brahmins and East-Indians (Walkars).
Other than Gawad Bhandari Community there are other Bhandari communities residing to vasai as well.
Somavanshi Kshitriya Alias. Vadval/Pachkalshi/Chaukalshi/Panmali/Paan Bhandari:
Sopara and Mahim are said to be the land of confluence of the Somavanshi Kshatriya clan, one from Utkala(ancient Orissa) and other from Gujarat and still other from Magadha and Mahishmati. The Somavanshis of Vasai and Palghar taluka have a unique history.
Normally the surnames of Somavanshis are Raut, Chaudhari, Mahapatra (Mhatre), Save (Saave) and Gharat (Non Agri). These are the six important families of Somavanshi Kshatriyas. Of these Thakurs were locatedin Mahim, Rauts in Bajipur, Chaudhari’s in Sopara, Mahapatra (Mhatre) in Nirmal region, and Saave in Kelva. Later some of these clans were segregated and were named as Vartak, Patil and those who went to Mumbai region were called Churi. (Any references for this data ?? )
palghar panchali both side in vadwal-chaukalshi his surname is all of villages patil
1) “Mooli” means to recognize medicinal roots from forests and prepare medicines from them.
2) “Vali” means assisting and administrating various temples and Dharmashalas on behalf of Rajas.
3) “Pali” means organizing and coordinating people to perform various mega-yajnas and poojas. Administrating the goods required for the Pooja and Yadnya and make provisions for the presiding Brahmins.
It is speciality of this community, that their valour was such great that none of their families converted themselves to Christianity as happened to Shamedis and Bhandaris. That's why these families enjoy high respect among Hindus of Vasai and Mahim. Every marriage ceremony of Panchkalshi
s and Shamedi
s are considered incomplete without the presence of Palshis. Shamedis and Panchkalshis find themselves unfortunate if a Palshi
refuses to attend the ceremony.
The Vasai Agris reverted in 1820 .The priest who purified and took them back was Ramchandra Baba Joshi, a Palshe headman. One Bhai Mukund Joshi, also a Palshe headman, succeeded Ramchandra. The name of the priest who admitted the Agris in 1828 (November 12) was Vithal Hari Naik, a Palshe gentleman of Vasai. Thus Palashi’s have a great role in saving the Hindu religion in Vasai.
Even Pachkalchi is also diverted into Desai which means lanlorad
s and Gayakas, believed to have been originated from Orissa
, and who live in 12 villages around the Nirmal Sarovar of Bassein (Vasai), earlier called Shurparak which is in fact and old name of present day sopara.
Their deity is Nirmaleshwar, located towards right of the 7th Jagatguru Shankar acharya Padmanabha Tirtha Swami Samadi and outside the 5th Jagadguru Shankaracharya Vidyaranya Swami Samadhi Mandir on the Nirmal hillock.
The word “Samvedi” is the colloquial term from the original Sanskrit word “Shamaneedresh” (“Shaman = Entertainment”, “Edresh = “Attributed”), meaning those workers in the royal court entertaining the King. The king appointed these people to offer music services at the Samadi place. Shamedis used to offer the “Sanai – Choughada – Mridanga – Bheri – Veena” during the dawn and night worship at Nirmal Jagad Guru Shankaracharya Samadhi Mandir, Shri Sureshwar (Suleshwar) Mandir and the Bhavani Shankara Mandir (Agassi).
Their Family deity is considered to be the goddesses Bhuvaneshwari and Vimala. These goddesses are said to reside in the Utkala.
Samvedis came as expert to Shurparak during the Buddha era rom the place called Utkala, now named as Orissa. Some historians place the date of their arrival in Vasai as late as 1825 AD, since none of the Shamedi person has any written or cultural evidence of their existence before the advent of Peshawas Nor is there any mention of Samvedi community in the Bakhar of Sashti or Mahikavati this provides as a support to the above theory. (All the mythology seems to have been written down here, seems that sanity check is needed )
There are seven surnames related to this profession.
The traditional profession of Samvedis was to present Music, Dance and Dramas at the Royal Palaces and in the Holy Mandiras as a part of the social awareness of religion. Later during the period of Raja Pratap Bimba the profession shifted to that of cultivating sugarcane and nagvel/panvel leaves since they sold their profession to the Rigvedic Brahmins. The cultivation of paddy was added to the profession in the late 17th century.
The Samvedi society Main villages are as follows 1) Umralla 2) Bolinj 3) Gaas 4) Kohprad 5) Bhuigaon 6) Wagholi 7) Navale 8) Vatar 9) Nalla 10)Mardes 11)Nandakhal i.e. Nandigram
Out Of this 11 villages Umralla, Bhuigaon & Wagholi are too big in terms of area.
Some Surnames Bhamber, Bhoir, Bholekar, Chavan, Choudhari, Danki, Dasalke, Dhumala, Driyacha, Dukre, Gaikwad, Gavad, Gavil, Shivasi, Gharat, Ghodinde, Gondhali, Gore, Gulvi, Jadhav, Joshi, Juikar, Kadu, Kalaj, Kamane, Karbhari, Kari, Keni, Khambalker, Khanda-Agle, Kharik, Khuntale, Kokati, Kotval, Kutilkar, Madhovi, Mali, Mandre, Mhatre, Mohile, More, Mukadam, Mukul, Naik, Navare, Pangdi, Patil, Pavar, Sare, Sasai, Shelar, Shirke, Sigola, Thakur, Kirad, Vaghoda, Vaze, Yadav. Christian Agris, who reverted to Hinduism in 1820 and others in 1828. They are also known as Nave or New Marathas. Their manners and customs are the same as those of other agris and they worship the Hindu gods. The chief evidence of their having once been Christians is to be found in their surnames, which are Gomes, Soz, Fernat, and Minez. The Vasai Agris reverted in 1820. The priest who purified and took them back was Ramchandra Baba Joshi, a Palshe headman. One Bhai Mukund Joshi, also a Palshe headman, succeeded Ramchandra. The name of the priest who admitted the Agris in 1828 (November 12) was Vithal Hari Naik, a Palshe gentleman of Vasai.(Useless details which have no significance to reality as existing today)
the language of these people is samvedi language a mixture of Marathi and Konkani. The villages are Gass
, Nirmal, Bhuigoan, Nandhakhal, Nanbhat, Agashi, Shirlaiwadi, Bolinj & Rajodi . People in these regions have surnames like Tuscano, Lopes, Lemos, Rodrigues, Ludrik, Gonsalves, Ghosal, Lobo, D'cunha, D'costa, D'Monte, D'Mello, Damel, D'abreo, Dabre, Mot, Dodti, D'Souza, Soz, Almeida, Dabre, Kudel, Kordeiro, Pen, Pereira, Pirel, Correia, Farrel, Rumao, Goveas, Rodrigues, Machado, Fargose, Alphanso, Fonseca, Fos, D'silva, Figer, Mascarenhas, Vaz, Rebello, Fernandes, Gomes, Kharas, Crasto, Rosario, Luzar, Dias, Dalmet, Tellis, Carvalho, D'Brito some specify as Brito also etc. This people basically do farming in these areas as there is ample of water available in all seasons.they do farming of Onion, Brinjals, Tomatoes, White Onions, Spinach, Coriander etc. which is of sweet water. From This place the Vegetables go to Mumbai early morning by Train to sell in Dadar Market or at various places. By doing farming these areas are developed
Maharashtra
Maharashtra is a state located in India. It is the second most populous after Uttar Pradesh and third largest state by area in India...
state of India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. Now, it is a part of the Vasai-Virar
Vasai-Virar
Vasai-Virar is a city in Maharashtra state in western India. As per 2011 census this is the 5th largest city in Maharashtra . It is located in Thane District, 50 km north of Mumbai. The city is located on the north bank of Vasai Creek, part of the estuary of the Ulhas River...
city, and is governed by the Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation
Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation
Vasai-Virar City Municipal Corporation governs the Vasai-Virar Town. It was formed on July, 2010.-Administration:The corporation is headed by a Municipal commissioner, an Indian Administrative Service Officer. He wields the executive power of the house. A quinquennial election is held to elect...
.
Chronicle of events since 1414
1414–1507 – There was a political crisis in the reign of the Shurparak and Mahikavati, with clashes between Somavanshis, who now called themselves Paanch Kalshis and Seshavanshis. Thus Shurparak became very weak politically, and the ruler had effective power only over a small area. A vacuum of power was created on the west coast of India, of which Muslims prepared themselves to take advantage as did emerging European empires - first, the Portuguese EmpirePortuguese Empire
The Portuguese Empire , also known as the Portuguese Overseas Empire or the Portuguese Colonial Empire , was the first global empire in history...
- who sent off their voyagers to discover the possibility of rule in India.
Sultans of Gujarat continuously raided Vasai, under the leadership of Mahmud Begada
Mahmud Begada
Sultan Abu'l Fath Nasir-ud-Din Mahmud Shah I, popularly known as Mahmud Begada was the most prominent sultan of Gujarat. He was the great-grandson of Ahmad Shah I, the founder of the Muzaffarid dynasty, and of the city of Ahmedabad in the present-day state of Gujarat, India. He was known to be...
. Ultimately, in 1513, Mirat-I-Ahmadi mentions the hold of Mahmud Begada over Vasai. Sultan Bahadur Shah of Gujarat
Bahadur Shah of Gujarat
Sultan Qutb-ud-Din Bahadur Shah , who reigned 1526-1535 and 1536-1537, was a sultan of Gujarat Sultanate, a late medieval independent kingdom in India.-Early years:...
, a foe of Humayun
Humayun
Nasir ud-din Muhammad Humayun was the second Mughal Emperor who ruled present day Afghanistan, Pakistan, and parts of northern India from 1530–1540 and again from 1555–1556. Like his father, Babur, he lost his kingdom early, but with Persian aid, he eventually regained an even larger one...
, had complete hold over Vasai after 1517. Between 1513–1530 he embarked on a heavy destruction of Hindu Stone Temples, as of Burud Raja’s Palace and of the stone lined "Tirtha Sthalas", the lakes and the reservoirs. It was filled with the men of Bahadur
Bahadur
Bahadur * Banda Singh Bahadur , a Sikh warrior and martyr* Coote Bahadur was a name given the Irish soldier Sir Eyre Coote by his troops* Bahadoor , a comedic actor in Malayalam-language films...
, who included Moors (Muslim
Muslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
s of mixed Arab
Arab
Arab people, also known as Arabs , are a panethnicity primarily living in the Arab world, which is located in Western Asia and North Africa. They are identified as such on one or more of genealogical, linguistic, or cultural grounds, with tribal affiliations, and intra-tribal relationships playing...
and Berber
Berber
Berber may refer to:*a member of the Berber people**the Berber languages, a family of Afro-Asiatic languages**Berberism, a political-cultural term supporting a distinct Berber identity**Berber calendar**Berber cuisine...
descent).
Portuguese
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
pirates from Goa
Goa
Goa , a former Portuguese colony, is India's smallest state by area and the fourth smallest by population. Located in South West India in the region known as the Konkan, it is bounded by the state of Maharashtra to the north, and by Karnataka to the east and south, while the Arabian Sea forms its...
, as well as local chieftains, raided Vasai after the rule of the Sultans started weakening due to their fighting against the Mughals
Mughal Empire
The Mughal Empire , or Mogul Empire in traditional English usage, was an imperial power from the Indian Subcontinent. The Mughal emperors were descendants of the Timurids...
. Vasai was burnt twice by the Portuguese. Now the town was called Baxay. These pirates started merchandise exchange and started great movement of shipping from Malabar
Malabar Coast
The Malabar Coast is a long and narrow coastline on the south-western shore line of the mainland Indian subcontinent. Geographically, it comprises the wettest regions of southern India, as the Western Ghats intercept the moisture-laden monsoon rains, especially on their westward-facing mountain...
laden with arecas, cocoa and spices, which were later, sent along the Red Sea
Red Sea
The Red Sea is a seawater inlet of the Indian Ocean, lying between Africa and Asia. The connection to the ocean is in the south through the Bab el Mandeb strait and the Gulf of Aden. In the north, there is the Sinai Peninsula, the Gulf of Aqaba, and the Gulf of Suez...
.
1526 – Portuguese establish the first factory.
1529 – Heitor da Silveira attacks Ali Shah - burns and plunders Vasai. Mosques, which had been built on the site of destroyed Hindu temples, were destroyed in turn, and new Churches built on the site. Conversions to Christianity start under guidance of the Franciscan
Franciscan
Most Franciscans are members of Roman Catholic religious orders founded by Saint Francis of Assisi. Besides Roman Catholic communities, there are also Old Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, ecumenical and Non-denominational Franciscan communities....
missionary Fr. António de Porto.
1532 – Malik Tokan, Governor of Diu
Diu
Diu or DIU may refer to:* Diu, India, a city in Diu district in the union territory of Daman and Diu, India** Diu district, part of the union territory of Daman and Diu*** Diu Island, an island and part of Diu district**Diu Head...
for Bahadur Shah, re-fortifies Vasai. Establishes 15,000 Cavalry and Infantry.
1533 – The Portuguese General Nuno da Cunha
Nuno da Cunha
Nuno da Cunha was a governor of Portuguese possessions in India from 1528 to 1538.He was the son of Antónia Pais and Tristão da Cunha, the famous Portuguese navigator, admiral and ambassador to Pope Leo X....
, along with Diogo de Silveira and Manuel de Machado, bring 150 ships – 4000 men (half Europeans, Half Goa
Goa
Goa , a former Portuguese colony, is India's smallest state by area and the fourth smallest by population. Located in South West India in the region known as the Konkan, it is bounded by the state of Maharashtra to the north, and by Karnataka to the east and south, while the Arabian Sea forms its...
n and attack Vasai. Bahadur Shah cedes Vasai. Conversion to Christianity restart, again under guidance of the Franciscan Fr. António de Porto. Conversions are helped along by the orthodoxy of local Hindus: António de Porto throws bread into the well, and those who drink water from that well are automatically ostracized from the Hindu community by Shamedi
Shamedi
The Shamedi are an Indian community, originating from a group of classical musicians and dancers. They are Nayaks and Gayakas, believed to have been originated from Orissa, who live in 12 villages around the Nirmal Sarovar of Bassein , earlier called Shurparak.Their deity is Nirmaleshwa, located...
Brahmin
Brahmin
Brahmin Brahman, Brahma and Brahmin.Brahman, Brahmin and Brahma have different meanings. Brahman refers to the Supreme Self...
s; the Brahmins do not hesitate to confiscate the lands and belongings of those converted to Christianity or considered to be such . Also, the rule of King of Portugal João III starts, at whose request the Inquisition
Inquisition
The Inquisition, Inquisitio Haereticae Pravitatis , was the "fight against heretics" by several institutions within the justice-system of the Roman Catholic Church. It started in the 12th century, with the introduction of torture in the persecution of heresy...
formally started in Portugal but not in India.
1534 - The first Treaty of Bassein
Treaty of Bassein (1534)
The Treaty of Bassein was signed by Sultan Bahadur of Gujarat and Portugal on December 23, 1534 while on board the galleon São Mateus. Based on the terms of the agreement, the Portuguese Empire gained control of the city of Bassein, as well as its territories, islands, and seas...
signed by Sultan Bahadur of Gujarat and Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
on December 23 while on board the galleon São Mateus. Based on the terms of the agreement, the Portuguese Empire
Portuguese Empire
The Portuguese Empire , also known as the Portuguese Overseas Empire or the Portuguese Colonial Empire , was the first global empire in history...
's rule was recognized in the city of Bassein, as well as its territories, islands, and seas. The Mumbai Islands under Portuguese control include Colaba
Colaba
Colaba is a part of the city of Mumbai, India, and also a Lok Sabha constituency. During Portuguese rule in the 16th century, the island was known as Candil...
, Old Woman's Island, Mumbai
Mumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
, Mazagaon
Mazagaon
Mazagaon, also spelled Mazgaon and Mazagon , and pronounced by the Catholics as 'Mazgon' or 'Maz-a-gon' and the Marathi-speakers as Mazhgav. It is one of the seven islands of Mumbai. It is part of South Mumbai and can be reached by Byculla Station on the Central railway line and Dockyard Road...
, Worli
Worli
-History:Worli was one of the original seven islands that constituted the city of Mumbai. Although primarily a fishing village, the Worli Fort, a British fort that is now in ruins, is located there. Its original resident was the legendary Dishankeshwar Kalsi who has also been recognized in several...
, Matunga
Matunga
Matunga is a district located in the central part of Mumbai. It is a railway station on the Mumbai Suburban Railway network. This station is called Matunga on the Central railway line, Matunga Road on the Western line and King's Circle, on the Harbour Line...
, and Mahim
Mahim
Mahim is a neighbourhood in Mumbai. It is also the name of a railway station in Mahim area, on the Mumbai suburban railway on the Western Railway railway line. In ancient times, the area was known as Maijim, Mejambu, Mahikawati....
. Salsette, Daman and Diu, Thane
Thane
Thane , is a city in Maharashtra, India, part of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, northeastern suburb of Mumbai at the head of the Thane Creek. It is the administrative headquarters of Thane district. On 16 April 1853, G.I.P...
, Kalyan, and Chaul
Chaul
Chaul is a former city of Portuguese India, now in ruins. It is located 60 km south of Mumbai, in Raigad District of Maharashtra state in western India....
were other territories controlled and settled by the Portuguese.
1536 – António Galvano opposes a Muslim attack on Vasai, lays foundation cornerstone for the reconstruction of Bacaim Fort.
1537 – António Galvano furiously pulls down certain Muslim Mosques which were built on the foundation of Hindu temples and in their place builds the Cathedral of St. Joseph
Cathedral of St. Joseph
The Cathedral of St. Joseph in Hartford, Connecticut, United States, is the mother church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Hartford. Dedicated on May 15, 1962, it stands on the site of the old cathedral destroyed by fire on December 31, 1956. Designed by Eggers & Higgins of New York, it rises...
. The Portuguese Empire
Portuguese Empire
The Portuguese Empire , also known as the Portuguese Overseas Empire or the Portuguese Colonial Empire , was the first global empire in history...
seems to favour the Franciscans. Though this continued till 1634, due to the changes in the Papal favor shown to the newly-created Jesuits (famously called "Troops of the Pope"), the Portuguese Empire
Portuguese Empire
The Portuguese Empire , also known as the Portuguese Overseas Empire or the Portuguese Colonial Empire , was the first global empire in history...
has to allow them, too, in Bassein.
1542–1580 – Clergymen under guidance of the Fathers of the Jesuit College start conversions of natives into Christianity by preaching. The Jesuit missionary Francis Xavier
Francis Xavier
Francis Xavier, born Francisco de Jasso y Azpilicueta was a pioneering Roman Catholic missionary born in the Kingdom of Navarre and co-founder of the Society of Jesus. He was a student of Saint Ignatius of Loyola and one of the first seven Jesuits, dedicated at Montmartre in 1534...
of Spain, known for his zeal, arrives at Vasai in 1544, and again in 1548, to train the priests in "Evangelisation of the True Faith". Francis Xavier is famous for his quotation, "Every time a new convert smashes his idol and caste, my joy knew no bounds". (See Francis Xavier#Goa and India). Soon the Portuguese stripped the lake banks, pulled down around 200 Temples, and used the stones in building Portuguese Churches, forts and houses, religious and state buildings whose ruins still remain in Bassein.
1583 – Bacaim becomes a full fledged trade center, dealing with rice, corn and timber for ship building. Construction of the St. Joseph Cathedral is completed as well as of five Convents, thirteen Churches, an orphanage and a hospital built in the city of Bacaim - which was never done during the Brahmin rule. Of these, the Dominican
Dominican Order
The Order of Preachers , after the 15th century more commonly known as the Dominican Order or Dominicans, is a Catholic religious order founded by Saint Dominic and approved by Pope Honorius III on 22 December 1216 in France...
Church was built in the Fort under the invocation of São Gonçalo
São Gonçalo
-Brazil:*São Gonçalo, Rio de Janeiro*São Gonçalo do Amarante, Rio Grande do Norte*São Gonçalo do Amarante, Ceará*São Gonçalo do Abaeté, Minas Gerais*São Gonçalo dos Campos, Bahia*São Gonçalo do Gurguéia, Piauí*São Gonçalo do Pará, Minas Gerais...
.
The Jesuits intensify their evangelization movement, to increase support against the invasion of other faiths and to increase the worldwide number of Catholics as against Protestants, who were at the time on rise in Europe. The methods adopted for conversions were numerous, as is clear from the “Monita Secreta
Monita Secreta
The Monita Secreta was a code of instructions alleged to be addressed by Claudio Acquaviva, the fifth general of the Society of Jesus, to its various superiors, and laying down the methods to be adopted for the increase of its power and influence...
” which reveals “Secret Instructions of the Jesuits”. The Jesuit way of carrying out missionary work was also later revealed when in 1738, British rulers at Bombay observed Jesuits to act in a hostile way, trying up tie up with peshwa a Brahmin ruler and shamedis and take control of whole of India technically the shamedis are responsible for British rule of India.
1607 – Bacaim gets international acclaim as a center of shipbuilding, as well the place of which building stone was exported (for example, the stones used to construct all the Goa
Goa
Goa , a former Portuguese colony, is India's smallest state by area and the fourth smallest by population. Located in South West India in the region known as the Konkan, it is bounded by the state of Maharashtra to the north, and by Karnataka to the east and south, while the Arabian Sea forms its...
n Churches).
1618-1634 – The Portuguese slow down the pace of conversions and start maintaining good relations with unconverted natives, so as to avoid conflicts and curses and thus increase their trade in rice, pulses, grains and coconuts. They allow 200 native Christians to stay within the walls of Bacaim along with the "better class" of Christians, while craftsmen and Hindu Brahmins were not allowed to live within the walls . The Jesuit college gets reformed with a fine library of commentaries, as well as works on history and morals, and increases hospitality and makes public places of entertainment unnecessary.
1674 - 600 Arab pirates from Muscat
Muscat, Oman
Muscat is the capital of Oman. It is also the seat of government and largest city in the Governorate of Muscat. As of 2008, the population of the Muscat metropolitan area was 1,090,797. The metropolitan area spans approximately and includes six provinces called wilayats...
land at Bacaim and plunder all Churches outside of the walls, perpetrating cruel violence on native converts and non-converts alike. This marks the decay of Portuguese power. These Arabs settled in the now what is called as "Hathi Mohalla" and later spread to Papdy. Seeing this as the best opportunity, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj recommends more Pandits to settle in Kalyan and forces the Portuguese to pay one forth of Bacaim's revenue.
1690 – Bacaim striken by pestilential plague, hitting the city of Bacaim along with Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad also known as Karnavati is the largest city in Gujarat, India. It is the former capital of Gujarat and is also the judicial capital of Gujarat as the Gujarat High Court has its seat in Ahmedabad...
, Surat
Surat
Surat , also known as Suryapur, is the commercial capital city of the Indian state of Gujarat. Surat is India's Eighth most populous city and Ninth-most populous urban agglomeration. It is also administrative capital of Surat district and one of the fastest growing cities in India. The city proper...
, Deccan and Bombay during seven to eight years. About two thirds of the city's inhabitants perished in this calamity. During this period Phadke
Phadke
Phadke is a surname, and may refer to:*Sudhir Phadke - Singer, Music Director, Writer*Narayan Phadke - Brother of Sudhir Phadke*Shridhar Phadke - Son of Sudhir Phadke, Music Director & DGM in Air India*Arun G. Phadke - Prominent Electrical Engineer...
of Aggassi renovated the Bhavani Shankara Mandir.
•1702 – The economic crisis in London adversely affects the trade from Vasai.
•1728 – A Portuguese officer sent from Goa
Goa
Goa , a former Portuguese colony, is India's smallest state by area and the fourth smallest by population. Located in South West India in the region known as the Konkan, it is bounded by the state of Maharashtra to the north, and by Karnataka to the east and south, while the Arabian Sea forms its...
observes that outposts, stockades, forts and garrison of Bacaim were in a poor state, with only robber-like soldiers unskilled, untaught and undrilled left in the fort. Portuguese take strong steps to restructure Bacaim’s administrative structure.
•1737–1738 – Marathas
Maratha Empire
The Maratha Empire or the Maratha Confederacy was an Indian imperial power that existed from 1674 to 1818. At its peak, the empire covered much of South Asia, encompassing a territory of over 2.8 million km²....
march towards Bacaim. They seize Arnala to drive out the Portugese. General Shankarji Pant informs Chimaji that that Arnala fort is a strategic fort for the naval forces that were on route to attack the Portuguese. Chimaji approved the assault on the fort. Shankarji Pant consulted and sought assistance of the local people to attack the Arnala fort; among them were Govindji Kasar and Gavraji Patil from Bolinj. Shankarji sent Gangaji Naik, Bajirao Belose and Rayajirao Surve to lead a battalion of 400 soldiers to lead the attack on Arnala fort. This attack was coordinated along with naval force commanded by Manaji Agre.
•On March 28, 1737 Maratha forces attacked the fort and surprised the Portuguese who were caught with their guard down. The Portuguese retreated and gave up the fort. The Maratha victory was commemorated with a plaque installed on the northern wall of the fort and is still visible today. Soon after the Maratha victory, Shankarji Pant began reconstruction of the fort. By January of 1738 three bastions were completed. The three bastions were named Bahirav, Bhavani and Bava. The construcation was completed by March of 1738. Later Marathas occupied Versova and Dharavi.
•1739 – The capture of Bacaim begins on February 17, 1739, under able leadership of Bajirao’s brother Chimnaji Appa. Marathas exhibit besiegning force, skill, courage and perseverance and thus Portuguese lose their commander Silveira de Menezes. But the Portuguese garrison defends with highest courage and constancy, with hand grenades, musketry and mortars. Using their technically advanced weapons and artillery, the Portuguese inflicted high casaulties on the Marathas . Angre’s fleet plays brave role and on 16 May, 1739 Marathas inflicted a decisive defeat on the Portuguese.
•Portuguese offered to capitulate, but requested to allow marching out with honours, which the Marathas accepted, as a mark of humane protocol to the defeated army. Bacaim fell from Portuguese rule as a stately tree, never to rise again.
•1739 – Bacaim was renamed as Bajipur, after the Peshwa
Peshwa
A Peshwa is the titular equivalent of a modern Prime Minister. Emporer Shivaji created the Peshwa designation in order to more effectively delegate administrative duties during the growth of the Maratha Empire. Prior to 1749, Peshwas held office for 8-9 years and controlled the Maratha army...
Bajirao. The new rulers sought to restore the Hindu culture and resettle the unconverted natives who had incurred discriminatory treatment under the Portuguese rule. The Peshwa
Peshwa
A Peshwa is the titular equivalent of a modern Prime Minister. Emporer Shivaji created the Peshwa designation in order to more effectively delegate administrative duties during the growth of the Maratha Empire. Prior to 1749, Peshwas held office for 8-9 years and controlled the Maratha army...
s brought a cadre of well trained, well learned Brahmans to purify the native converts willing to reconvert to their original Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
fold.
•Chimnaji Appa
Chimnaji Appa
Chimnaji Appa was the son of Balaji Vishwanath Bhat and the younger brother of Bajirao Peshwa. He was an able military commander who liberated the western coast of India from Portuguese rule...
restores the Nageshwar Mandir near Naga Kunda, and builds Hanuman
Hanuman
Hanuman , is a Hindu deity, who is an ardent devotee of Rama, a central character in the Indian epic Ramayana and one of the dearest devotees of lord Rama. A general among the vanaras, an ape-like race of forest-dwellers, Hanuman is an incarnation of the divine and a disciple of Lord Rama in the...
Mandir over a Church which might have been built on a Mosque or Temple foundation in the Fort . The oldest Trivikram Mandir in the Fort is restored over the St. Anthony's Church, as is the Vamana
Vamana
Vamana is described in the Puranic texts of Hinduism as the Fifth Avatar of Vishnu, and the first incarnation of the Second Age, or the Treta yuga. Also he is the first Avatar of Vishnu which appears with a completely human form, though it was that of a dwarf brahmin. He is also sometimes known as...
Mandir of Aggasi, said to have been established by Shri Vamadev Tirtha Swami in 388 BC
388 BC
Year 388 BC was a year of the pre-Julian Roman calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Tribunate of Capitolinus, Fidenas, Iullus, Corvus, Flavus and Rufus...
. The Bhavani Shankara Mandir of Aggasi is built over the Our Lady of Light Church, and the Papdy Kshetrapaleshwar Mandir was built over Our lady of Fatima
Our Lady of Fatima
Our Lady of Fátima is a famous title given to the Blessed Virgin Mary as she appeared in apparitions reported by three shepherd children at Fátima in Portugal. These occurred on the 13th day of six consecutive months in 1917, starting on May 13...
Church .
•1767 – The Dutch
Dutch Republic
The Dutch Republic — officially known as the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands , the Republic of the United Netherlands, or the Republic of the Seven United Provinces — was a republic in Europe existing from 1581 to 1795, preceding the Batavian Republic and ultimately...
seek to establish the factory at Bassein.
•1774 – Bassein was taken by the British
British East India Company
The East India Company was an early English joint-stock company that was formed initially for pursuing trade with the East Indies, but that ended up trading mainly with the Indian subcontinent and China...
but was again restored to the Marathas.
•1780 – During the First Anglo-Maratha War
First Anglo-Maratha War
The First Anglo-Maratha War was the first of three Anglo-Maratha wars fought between the British East India Company and Maratha Empire in India. The war began with the Treaty of Surat and ended with the Treaty of Salbai.-Background:...
The British, led by Thomas Goddard, attack Vasai between 13 November and 10 December. A force of some twenty thousand Mahrattas attempted to relieve the siege, but were repulsed at Doogaur by a British force under James Hartley
James Hartley (Indian Army officer)
James Hartley , was a British officer in the service of the East India Company, whose service involved mainly wars against the Maratha Empire and against Tipu Sultan of the Kingdom of Mysore.-Start of military career in India:...
. Finally, the Mahratta garrison of Bassein surrendered.
•1782 – Under the Treaty of Salbai
Treaty of Salbai
The Treaty of Salbai was signed on May 17, 1782, by representatives of the Maratha Empire and the British East India Company after long negotiations to settle the outcome of the First Anglo-Maratha War. Under its terms, the Company retained control of Salsette and acquired guarantees that the...
(March 1782) Bassein is restored to the Marathas.
•1802 – On 31 December, the Treaty of Bassein
Treaty of Bassein
The Treaty of Bassein could refer to one of the articles shown below.*Treaty of Bassein - a treaty signed by Sultan Bahadur of Gujarat and the Portuguese....
is concluded between the British East India Company
British East India Company
The East India Company was an early English joint-stock company that was formed initially for pursuing trade with the East Indies, but that ended up trading mainly with the Indian subcontinent and China...
and Baji Rao II
Baji Rao II
Baji Rao II was the last Peshwa of the Maratha Confederacy, and governed from 1796 to 1818. His reign was marked by confrontations with the British.-Biography:...
, the Maratha
Maratha
The Maratha are an Indian caste, predominantly in the state of Maharashtra. The term Marāthā has three related usages: within the Marathi speaking region it describes the dominant Maratha caste; outside Maharashtra it can refer to the entire regional population of Marathi-speaking people;...
peshwa
Peshwa
A Peshwa is the titular equivalent of a modern Prime Minister. Emporer Shivaji created the Peshwa designation in order to more effectively delegate administrative duties during the growth of the Maratha Empire. Prior to 1749, Peshwas held office for 8-9 years and controlled the Maratha army...
of Pune
Pune
Pune , is the eighth largest metropolis in India, the second largest in the state of Maharashtra after Mumbai, and the largest city in the Western Ghats. Once the centre of power of the Maratha Empire, it is situated 560 metres above sea level on the Deccan plateau at the confluence of the Mula ...
(Poona) after the Battle of Poona
Battle of Poona
The Battle of Poona took place on 25 October 1802 near Pune between the rival factions of the Maratha Confederacy. The forces of the Scindia and the Peshwa Bajirao II were attacked by the Holkars...
. The treaty was a decisive step in the dissolution of the Maratha Confederacy.
•1817 – Bassein with the rest of North Konkan
Konkan
The Konkan also called the Konkan Coast or Karavali is a rugged section of the western coastline of India from Raigad to Mangalore...
passed to British. The British soon start establishing modern Catholic Churches including Our Blessed Lady of Mercy at Merces, Our Blessed Lady of Remedies at Remedy, St. Michael the Archangel (Manickpur
Manickpur
Manickpur is a small village in Vasai town in the Thane district in the Indian state of Maharashtra.- History :Not much of the rich and great history of Manickpur is documented. It is only passed on through the generations by word of mouth...
Church), Church of St. Thomas the Apostle at Sandor, Our Blessed Lady the Mother of God (Pali Church), Our Blessed Lady of Grace (Papdy Church)
•1830 – The British attempt to revive industry in Bassein by starting the sugar factory, but the scheme fails due to the death of Mr. Lingard the promoter.
•1838 – Bassein became nearly deserted with only a small population of fishermen, hunters, native converted and native unconverted ones. The population dropped down from 60,499 in the beginning of 1802 to 10,356 in 1881
•1852 – The ruined Portuguese Church of Nossa Senhora da Vida was converted by British to a sugar factory. But the factory was soon closed due to losses incurred because of poor administration.
•1856 – A road was built connecting Bassein to Manickpur
Manickpur
Manickpur is a small village in Vasai town in the Thane district in the Indian state of Maharashtra.- History :Not much of the rich and great history of Manickpur is documented. It is only passed on through the generations by word of mouth...
(Umela).
•1860 – The land of the fort was leased for thirty years to Major Littlewood, whose son cultivated the fields in the fort for some time. Franciscan Church, by the Bastion of Sam Sebastian, was closed under the pressure of British and Mrs Littlewood.
•1864 – The Bassein Municipality is established. A new town beside Par Naka was established in the village of Malonde. The Bassein Municipality town limit include the Old Fort, Malonde, Dhauli, Sandor, Mulgaon and many gardens and fields between Bassein and Papdy.
•1869 – Mamlatdaar Office gets established.
•1947 – Last year of British rule in Vasai.
•1947 and onwards – Rule of Union Government of India from New Delhi, by the democratically elected representatives.
Communities based in Vasai
Vasai has 12 communities:Kupari. Chambhar, Gawad Bhandari, Saraswats, Palshi
Palshi
The Palshis are an ethnic community native to Mumbai. They are the priests of Prabhus, who had migrated to Mumbai during the 13th century during the reign of Raja Bhimdev.- References :* http://books.google.co.in/books?id=miD5YO05jpUC&pg=PA42&dq=palshis...
, Kudal Deshkars, Panamali (Somavanshi Kshatriya Samaj), Bhandari
Bhandari
For other uses, see Bhandari .Bhandari caste is among the sea-faring warrior castes of ancient and medieval India. They migrated southward from Rajputana in early 1100 and subsequently spread over different parts of India...
(Seshavanshi Kshatriya Samaj), Samvedi Brahmans, Sandori Christians, Kupari
Kupari
Samvedi are a sub group of East Indian community. This community is concentrated mostly in Bassein , India, which is about north of Mumbai. Kupari Ancestors were Mixture of Samvedic Brahmins, Goans and Portuguese because of inter marriages between them. The population is about 40,000 to 45,000...
, Aagri, Koli
KOLI
KOLI is a radio station serving Wichita Falls, Texas and Vicinity with a country music format. It operates on FM frequency 94.9 MHz and is under ownership of Cumulus Media. It is the radio flagship station for the Wichita Falls Wildcats hockey team....
, Brahmins and East-Indians (Walkars).
Bhandari (Gawad Bhandari and others)
Gawad bhandari communiy is based in entire vasai tehsil and mainly in villages of Nirmal, Vasai, bhuigaon, Agashi. The surname include Gawad, Patil, Raut, Keni and Kini.Other than Gawad Bhandari Community there are other Bhandari communities residing to vasai as well.
Panamali (Somavanshi Kshatriya Samaj)
The words "Somavanshi Kshatriya" mean the second caste in the hierarchy of the Hindu Varna System. "Soma" means "Moon", thus these kshatriyas belong to the "Chandra Vansha" i.e. "Moon Dynasty of Warriors".Somavanshi Kshitriya Alias. Vadval/Pachkalshi/Chaukalshi/Panmali/Paan Bhandari:
Sopara and Mahim are said to be the land of confluence of the Somavanshi Kshatriya clan, one from Utkala(ancient Orissa) and other from Gujarat and still other from Magadha and Mahishmati. The Somavanshis of Vasai and Palghar taluka have a unique history.
Normally the surnames of Somavanshis are Raut, Chaudhari, Mahapatra (Mhatre), Save (Saave) and Gharat (Non Agri). These are the six important families of Somavanshi Kshatriyas. Of these Thakurs were locatedin Mahim, Rauts in Bajipur, Chaudhari’s in Sopara, Mahapatra (Mhatre) in Nirmal region, and Saave in Kelva. Later some of these clans were segregated and were named as Vartak, Patil and those who went to Mumbai region were called Churi. (Any references for this data ?? )
palghar panchali both side in vadwal-chaukalshi his surname is all of villages patil
Palshi
Palshi community consists of 7 Kul (Sapta Kul).They originally belong Sapta Sindhu Region of Kashmir, which is now called “Shardi” near Muzzafarabad in POK .These people are very honest, gentle and scholarly people with fair complexion, height and physical stature; typical of Kashmiris. King Bindusar brought them to Prathishthanpur around 700 BC for 3 jobs. 1) Mooli, 2)Vali and 3)Pali.1) “Mooli” means to recognize medicinal roots from forests and prepare medicines from them.
2) “Vali” means assisting and administrating various temples and Dharmashalas on behalf of Rajas.
3) “Pali” means organizing and coordinating people to perform various mega-yajnas and poojas. Administrating the goods required for the Pooja and Yadnya and make provisions for the presiding Brahmins.
It is speciality of this community, that their valour was such great that none of their families converted themselves to Christianity as happened to Shamedis and Bhandaris. That's why these families enjoy high respect among Hindus of Vasai and Mahim. Every marriage ceremony of Panchkalshi
Panchkalshi
Pachkalshi / Panchkalshi are ethnic community of Maharashtra and Goa. They are also known by name of Somvanshi Kshatriya Pathare.They are one of the original tribes, who migrated to Bombay in 13th century AD with Yaduvanshi king, Raja Bhimdev According to tradition, the Panchkalshis derive their...
s and Shamedi
Shamedi
The Shamedi are an Indian community, originating from a group of classical musicians and dancers. They are Nayaks and Gayakas, believed to have been originated from Orissa, who live in 12 villages around the Nirmal Sarovar of Bassein , earlier called Shurparak.Their deity is Nirmaleshwa, located...
s are considered incomplete without the presence of Palshis. Shamedis and Panchkalshis find themselves unfortunate if a Palshi
Palshi
The Palshis are an ethnic community native to Mumbai. They are the priests of Prabhus, who had migrated to Mumbai during the 13th century during the reign of Raja Bhimdev.- References :* http://books.google.co.in/books?id=miD5YO05jpUC&pg=PA42&dq=palshis...
refuses to attend the ceremony.
The Vasai Agris reverted in 1820 .The priest who purified and took them back was Ramchandra Baba Joshi, a Palshe headman. One Bhai Mukund Joshi, also a Palshe headman, succeeded Ramchandra. The name of the priest who admitted the Agris in 1828 (November 12) was Vithal Hari Naik, a Palshe gentleman of Vasai. Thus Palashi’s have a great role in saving the Hindu religion in Vasai.
Even Pachkalchi is also diverted into Desai which means lanlorad
Samvedi (brahmin)
The 'Shri Samvedi' are an Indian community, originating from a group of classical musicians and dancers singing Samveda. They are follower of Samveda. They are Samvedi Brahmans. They are NayakNayak (ethnic group)
-History and origin:The word nayak means a head of a regiment. This word is derived from the Sanskrit senanayaka, which means head of a regiment. The community trace there descent from the Vaghela Rajputs who converted to Islam in the 12th Century. They established a number of petty states in...
s and Gayakas, believed to have been originated from Orissa
Orissa
Orissa , officially Odisha since Nov 2011, is a state of India, located on the east coast of India, by the Bay of Bengal. It is the modern name of the ancient nation of Kalinga, which was invaded by the Maurya Emperor Ashoka in 261 BC. The modern state of Orissa was established on 1 April...
, and who live in 12 villages around the Nirmal Sarovar of Bassein (Vasai), earlier called Shurparak which is in fact and old name of present day sopara.
Their deity is Nirmaleshwar, located towards right of the 7th Jagatguru Shankar acharya Padmanabha Tirtha Swami Samadi and outside the 5th Jagadguru Shankaracharya Vidyaranya Swami Samadhi Mandir on the Nirmal hillock.
The word “Samvedi” is the colloquial term from the original Sanskrit word “Shamaneedresh” (“Shaman = Entertainment”, “Edresh = “Attributed”), meaning those workers in the royal court entertaining the King. The king appointed these people to offer music services at the Samadi place. Shamedis used to offer the “Sanai – Choughada – Mridanga – Bheri – Veena” during the dawn and night worship at Nirmal Jagad Guru Shankaracharya Samadhi Mandir, Shri Sureshwar (Suleshwar) Mandir and the Bhavani Shankara Mandir (Agassi).
Their Family deity is considered to be the goddesses Bhuvaneshwari and Vimala. These goddesses are said to reside in the Utkala.
Samvedis came as expert to Shurparak during the Buddha era rom the place called Utkala, now named as Orissa. Some historians place the date of their arrival in Vasai as late as 1825 AD, since none of the Shamedi person has any written or cultural evidence of their existence before the advent of Peshawas Nor is there any mention of Samvedi community in the Bakhar of Sashti or Mahikavati this provides as a support to the above theory. (All the mythology seems to have been written down here, seems that sanity check is needed )
There are seven surnames related to this profession.
- The one who used to compose poetry- drama and act in the drama used to be called as “Nayak” the family of Nayak’s later was called by surname “Naik”.
- The musicians who used to play the musical instruments made of Brass or Bronze (Vartakam) were called “Vartakah”. This community later was called by surname “Vartak”.
- The main Singer or main actor in the drama was called as “Mahapatra”, the community of these Mahapatras were later called as “Mahatre”.
- The chief musical director who used to guide the group of musicians were called “Jyoshih”.The community of these Jyoshis were later called by surname “Joshi”.
- The commentators of the Musical programme were called “Vache”, later these were called “Vaze”.
- The one who used to make- up the actors by decorating them with “Patt” i.e. dress, crown etc. were called “Pattolika”. These makeup men community were later called “Pattils” i.e. “Patil”.
- The surname "Deshmukh" is also found in some samvedis. These 7 surnamed people belong to the following Gotras viz. 1) Bharadwaj 2) Kashyap 3) Atri 4) Kaushik 5) Vashishtha 6) Angirasa.
The traditional profession of Samvedis was to present Music, Dance and Dramas at the Royal Palaces and in the Holy Mandiras as a part of the social awareness of religion. Later during the period of Raja Pratap Bimba the profession shifted to that of cultivating sugarcane and nagvel/panvel leaves since they sold their profession to the Rigvedic Brahmins. The cultivation of paddy was added to the profession in the late 17th century.
The Samvedi society Main villages are as follows 1) Umralla 2) Bolinj 3) Gaas 4) Kohprad 5) Bhuigaon 6) Wagholi 7) Navale 8) Vatar 9) Nalla 10)Mardes 11)Nandakhal i.e. Nandigram
Out Of this 11 villages Umralla, Bhuigaon & Wagholi are too big in terms of area.
Agari
The name Agri comes from Agar, a Salt-pan or bounded farm. The Agri of Maharashtra are also known as Agle and Kharpatil The tradition common among them is that they originally dwelt at Mungi Paithan and were transported to the Konkan by Bimbaraja. Two son's Agla and Mangla, were born to the sage Agasti; the former the ancestor of the Agris, the latter of the Mangelas (Fishermen). The first was told to support himself by the manufacture of salt from the sea, the latter by fishing.Some Surnames Bhamber, Bhoir, Bholekar, Chavan, Choudhari, Danki, Dasalke, Dhumala, Driyacha, Dukre, Gaikwad, Gavad, Gavil, Shivasi, Gharat, Ghodinde, Gondhali, Gore, Gulvi, Jadhav, Joshi, Juikar, Kadu, Kalaj, Kamane, Karbhari, Kari, Keni, Khambalker, Khanda-Agle, Kharik, Khuntale, Kokati, Kotval, Kutilkar, Madhovi, Mali, Mandre, Mhatre, Mohile, More, Mukadam, Mukul, Naik, Navare, Pangdi, Patil, Pavar, Sare, Sasai, Shelar, Shirke, Sigola, Thakur, Kirad, Vaghoda, Vaze, Yadav. Christian Agris, who reverted to Hinduism in 1820 and others in 1828. They are also known as Nave or New Marathas. Their manners and customs are the same as those of other agris and they worship the Hindu gods. The chief evidence of their having once been Christians is to be found in their surnames, which are Gomes, Soz, Fernat, and Minez. The Vasai Agris reverted in 1820. The priest who purified and took them back was Ramchandra Baba Joshi, a Palshe headman. One Bhai Mukund Joshi, also a Palshe headman, succeeded Ramchandra. The name of the priest who admitted the Agris in 1828 (November 12) was Vithal Hari Naik, a Palshe gentleman of Vasai.(Useless details which have no significance to reality as existing today)
Sandori Christians
Sandori Christians also called Vadvals, Somavanshi. These are mainly from the Sonar (goldsmith), Sutar (Carpenter), and some Bhandari communities of the native Hindus who were converted during the times of Portuguese (However this is unsubstantiated as Christianity was existing in Bacaim before the Portuguese arrived. Common belief in this region is that Christianity was propagated from South India where St Thomas had preached ). The culture of Sandori Christian differs from that of Kuparis . The villages of Mulgaon, Remedy, Sandor, Merces, Girij, and Papdy which fall under Vadval and Bhuigoan, Nandkhal, Umralla, Gass, Nirmal, Agashi fall under Kupari community respectively. Sandori Chritians have done lot for the social development and thus Vasai has a lot of good and developmental institutions. However this rapid urbanization has created a lot of issues in this region like scarcity of electricity and water. Also land grabbers have become rampant in annexing land belonging to locals by bribing local government officials.Samvedi Christians
Samvedi Christians are an ethnic group based in and around the villages of Vasai. They were converted to Christianity and evanglised during the Portuguese rule in Bombay, while retaining much of their Brahman traditions.the language of these people is samvedi language a mixture of Marathi and Konkani. The villages are Gass
Gass (Maharashtra)
Gass is a village in Vasai Taluka, near Mumbai in the Maharashtra state of India. In addition to its Hindu residents, it had an approximate Roman Catholic population of 5000 in the year 2009.-References:*...
, Nirmal, Bhuigoan, Nandhakhal, Nanbhat, Agashi, Shirlaiwadi, Bolinj & Rajodi . People in these regions have surnames like Tuscano, Lopes, Lemos, Rodrigues, Ludrik, Gonsalves, Ghosal, Lobo, D'cunha, D'costa, D'Monte, D'Mello, Damel, D'abreo, Dabre, Mot, Dodti, D'Souza, Soz, Almeida, Dabre, Kudel, Kordeiro, Pen, Pereira, Pirel, Correia, Farrel, Rumao, Goveas, Rodrigues, Machado, Fargose, Alphanso, Fonseca, Fos, D'silva, Figer, Mascarenhas, Vaz, Rebello, Fernandes, Gomes, Kharas, Crasto, Rosario, Luzar, Dias, Dalmet, Tellis, Carvalho, D'Brito some specify as Brito also etc. This people basically do farming in these areas as there is ample of water available in all seasons.they do farming of Onion, Brinjals, Tomatoes, White Onions, Spinach, Coriander etc. which is of sweet water. From This place the Vegetables go to Mumbai early morning by Train to sell in Dadar Market or at various places. By doing farming these areas are developed
Christian Churches in Vasai
- Holy Cross Church, Nirmal (One of the Oldest church in Maharashtra which has 33 Steps as Jesus Lived for 33 Years)
- Our Lady Of Grace Cathedral Church(cathedral), Papdy
- Shrine Of Our Lady of Remedies Church, Remedy
- * Our Lady of Mercy, Merces
- Our Lady of Fatima Church, Chulne
- St. Peter Church, Arnala
- St. Thomas Church, Sandor
- St. Francis Xavier Church, Giriz
- St. Mary Magdalene Church, Mulgaon
- St. Gonsalo Garcia Church, Gass
- St. Michael Church, Manickpur
- Mother of God Church, Palle
- Nirmala Mata Mandir, Umela
- Holy Spirit Church, Nandakhal
- Christ The King Church, Bolinj
- Our Lady of Lourdes, Shirlaiwadi
- Saint James church, Agashi
- St. Ignatius Loyola Church, 100 feet road
- Holy Family Church, Bhuigaon
- St. Joseph Church, Umralla
- St. Paul's Church, Nanbhat
- St. Roque's Church, Gokhivare
- St. Gonsalo Garcia Church, Barampur, Near Bishop's House
- St. Alphonsa Church (Syro-Malabar), Manikpur
- Holy Trinity Church, Gomesali Parisar