Mahad

Mahad pronunciation(Marathi: महाड) is a city and a municipal council in Raigad district in the Indian state of Maharashtra. It has total population over 50,000. It is situated about 175 km to the south of Mumbai (erstwhile Bombay). It has become the center of attraction because of its beautiful surroundings and pleasant climate. Mahad has a personality of its own due to its mythological, historical, social and cultural importance. The city, vibrant and active on the industrial, political, social and cultural fronts, has influenced the lives of some great personalities.Mahad taluka is biggest in Raigad district by area.

Mahad is considered as Land of Freedom Fighters and many revolutionary freedom moments of India are occurred here. It is famous for the Drinking Water Satyagraha of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar for Dalits at Chavdar Tale,which played as turning point in Indian sociopolitical history.

Apart from this, it had a glorious history during the rule of the great Maratha King Shivaji.The capital of hindavi Swarajya & samadhi of Shivaji Maharaj is at Raigad fort which is around 30 km from city. It was part of Birwadi Subha (Tehsil) and was ruled by Birwadi Subhedar's Kadams (Mahamunkars). The samadhi of Shivaji's mother Jijabai is at Pachad situated at foothills of Raigad fort. The famous Hirkani was from Raigadwadi village. Shivaji's guru Samarth Ramdas lived at Shivthar Ghal near Varandha Ghat about 30 km from city. The village Umarath of Tanaji Malusare & Kinjaloli of Murarbaji are also in vicinity of Mahad.

The first RBI governor of India C. D. Deshmukh's birthplace in Nate Village is nearly 8 km from mahad. As per mythological story, The ancient Pandav Lene in Gandharpale is the sculptured houses built in one night by the Pandavas.(But according to historians & archeologist these are buddhist caves build by Prince Vishnupalita Kambhoja).

Apart from this, Mahad was the central market for people of Poladpur, Raigad villages and the Cool Hill Station Mahabaleshwar. It has a very huge market in the part. City is Surrounded by the Sahyadri mountain range & Savitri,Kal and Gandhari rivers originating through Mahabaleswar,Hills in Mulashi & Raigad fort respectively. Mahad was very flourishing port in past."Mahadi Gul" was very famous in Gujarat which is made in Satara,Pune districts & exported to other locations through Mahad port.