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The Intriguing History Of Mahabaleshwar
f history serves right, in of the territory from the rulers
the year 1215, King Singhan of Jaoli and Mahabaleshwar and he
of Deogiri, emperor of the built his indestructible fort at
Yadav Empire, was the first Pratapgad in 1656. In 1674 , at
person to have visited Old the Raigad fort , Shivaji was
Mahabaleshwar.He built a small crowned Chhatrapati under the
Krishna temple and a water precision of the Ganga Bhatta , a
reservoir at the source of the renown Brahmin from Varanasi ,who
river which is now called the declared that Shivaji was a
Krishna River. Later in 1350, it descendant of the Kshatriyas of
was taken over by a by a Brahmin Ranas from Mewar.
dynasty which offered peace and
prosperity. During the 16th In the year 1680 Shivaji died due
century they were overthrown by to an illness after which his son
the Maratha family of Chandra Rao Sambhaji took over the empire.
More, who then became the rulers Without much delay the Mughal
of Jaoli and Mahabaleshwar. Emperor, Aurangzeb and his
Presumably Chandra Rao More was a entourage made a move to the
descendant of the great Deccan in 1681. After a 27 year
Chandragupta Maurya, the founder long battle the territory had
of the Maurya dynasty. During been taken under the power of the
this period the temple of Old Peshwas Maratha Sardars until
Mahabaleshwar was rebuilt. their collapse in the 19th
century.
The 17th century, saw the
emergence of the great Maratha In 1819, the British included the
idol, Shivaji Bhosle, also known hills in the territory of the
as Chhatrapati Shivaji Raje Raja of Satara. Col. Lodwick
Bhosle, as the founder of the (Late General Sir Peter Lodwick)
Maratha Empire. He took control stationed at Satara, in April
1824 with a contingent of sick and a resort for the healthy
soldiers and Indian guides by acquiring the land from the
climbed up the mountain face Raja of Satara in lieu of another
reaching what is now known as the territory. Boy Malcolm, as he was
Lodwick Point. Starting with Sir lovingly called, had a penchant
John Malcolm in 1828, a for hunting tigers and other game
succession of them from so much so that the new town was
Elphinston, Arthur (for whom the originally named ' Malcolm Peth'
Point Arthur Seat is named), in his honor. To him one owes the
Carnac, Frere and many others foundation of Mahabaleshwar.
became regular visitors.
Added to the scores of
Although this small town has gone magnificent scenic "points", the
through so much turmoil and perennial springs, streams, and
resistance, it had never been waterfalls of Mahabaleshwar
brought to the ground by any of plateau, with its year round
the above mentioned Rulers. Its superb climate, drew the English
beauty has been maintained and and others to Mahabaleshwar like
enhanced at every stage of its honey bees to sweet nectar. By
life .Its rich history has even the end of the 19th century it
helped develop culture behind the had become an attractive popular
mammoth hill. Present day hill station of world renown.
Mahabaleshwar came into existence
in the year 1829-30. In old
records it is mentioned as |
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