Vasai

History

Bajipur the original name of Vasai as it appears in Padma Purana, which was later restored during the rule of Peshwas (so many mistake Bajipur to be named after Peshwa Bajirav).In the Stone Inscriptions the name “Vasai” appears in the Kanheri Cave writings.Vasai is mentioned as “Bussy” in Ain-I-Akbari Ch. II-66, of Abu Fazal . It is called “Baxay” in Barbosa Pg.No. 68.Finally, after Indian independence it was renamed as Vasai.

People from various faiths and countries used to come to Bharat for higher studies in Philosophy, Medicine, Astronomy, Engineering, Music, Art etc. Thus they used to visit “Surparaks” too, which was once a great centre of Indian Wisdom.Thus we find mention of “Surparak” in Bible too where

many persons mentioned in Old Testament came to acquire knowledge 
and information.Thus,Sopara is refered in the Old Testament as
Ophir, the place from which King Solomon brought gold; 1 Kings
9:28, 10:11. Cf. Psalms 45:9, Isaiah 13:12. Josephus identifies
Ophir with Aurea Chersonesus, belonging to India (Antiquities
8:6:4). 

Septuagint translates Ophir as Sophia, which is Coptic for India. This refers to the ancient city of Soupara or Ouppara on the western coast of India.

Vasai was the seat of the various political powers namely Guhashayas, Mauryas,Sudhanva, Guptas, Satvahanas,Shilahaaras, Yadavs, Moghul, Portuguese, Marathas, British, Union of India (Since 1947 called Free India) Vasai boomed as a seat of knowledge where students and scholars from as far as europe came to learn and also propogate their philosophy.It was trade centre for spices, grains, sugar,and the ship building industry. The salubrious climate and the burgeoning profits saw many wealthy merchants in the buddhist rule and fidalgosin the portuguese rule ; blue blooded Portuguese nobles resided here in lavish villas. It later became the town where the Portuguese aristocracy sent their illegitimate sons rather than exhibit their illegitimate offspring. The floor of St Francis Church is paved with the graves of the Portuguese nobility along with their royal insignia.

Vasai (and Sopara had always been the largest contributor of scholars for the Vedic Religion,Jain-Buddhist sects and priests to the Bombay Archdiocese. This place is a place known for the one of the four famous sarovars, Nirmal Sarovar of Vedic religion, called Mahasmashan during times of Lord Parashurama, it was one of the 84 Gacchas of Jains, it was the centre of learning for the Maitreya Buddhist sect, the sacred place with 3 tombs each of 5 th,7 th and 38th Jagadguru Shankaracharyas namely Vidyaranya Swami,Padmanabha Tirtha Swami,and Narayan Upendra Swami.The diocese has also contributed India's only Catholic saint St. Gonsalo Garcia.

Chronological Order Of Vasai's History

The important events in the recorded history of Vasai (other than the religious manuscripts is as follows.)

• Around 3000 B.C.-Pandavas visit Shurparak (Sopara) on their way to Prabhas, they halted at a place where a well was built centuries ago, now this is located in place called Pandav Vihir at Chulne Gaon.
• Around 2000 B.C. –Utkala Naresh Guhashaya of Chandra i.e. Somavansh Kshatriya clan ruled Shurparak.
• Around 1700 B.C.- Shripaala charita chapter III mentions, King Mahaasena rules Sopara and his daughter Tilaksundari married King Shripaala.During this period Sopara’s Buddhist Stupa (Burud Raja’s Mound) and the present hillock of Nirmal Church was considered as one of the 84 gachchas of the Jain Sect. Here debated used to be held on the banks of Nirmal sarovar among the scholars from the Gacchas and Vedic Scholars attached to the Vilameshwar temple established by Lord Parashuraama.
• Around 1500 B.C.- Here was the prevelance of Vedic Dharma and people used to worship Shiva, Varuna, Kubera, Shakra, Brahma, Hari, Shankara and various mataas that is devis. The considered Asuras, Mahoragas, Yakshas and Danavas with evil poswers.Burud Raja, a great Dharmic raja rules Sopara.
• Around 1472 B.C.- Rule of Ashoka Maurya starts. During his period Yavana Dharmarakshita, the Aparanta missionary came and preached contemporary religious principles in Shurparak.Purna, the son of a rich sopara merchant by a slave girl, whose worth and skill raised him to be one of the leading merchants of Sopara turned most of the people of Kunkana 9now called Konkan) into Buddhism, and here the Burud Raja’s Kot was turned into Bauddha Vihara.
• Around 800 B.C.- Daamaniya and Mahaarashtrika kings rule Shurparaka.
• Around 700 B.C.-690 B.C.- Shurparak was ruled by Samrat Kuber, the by his son Samrat Bindusar.
• 520 B.C. – Samrat Sudhanva rules Bharata Varsha.Sudhanva had a sun and a moon cresent along with a Holy Pot on his every edict.

*527 B.C.              – Adi Shankaracharya, the greatest Acharya
or Cardinal religious leader of Hindus, arrives in Shurparak on
Kartik Shukla Trayodashi enroute from Gokarna to Saurashtra.Stays
at Vimaleshwar Mandir, whereas Sureshwaracharya , His disciple
stays on other banks of Vimala Sarovar where he establishes the
Shivalingam wins over the debate with Jains. On victory Adi
Shankaracharya names the Shivalinga as “Sureshwar” and establishes
a moorti of Saraswati (Ubhaya Bharati) and names it Sureshwari. 

Adi Shankaracharya along with shishyas and the defeated Jains (who come back to their original vedic fold at their will after knowing the futility of Jain Philosophy), take a Holy bath at Vimala Sarovar on the Poornima Day and performs the Kartika Swami Pooja at night with the Deepotsava. The whole of Shurparaka enjoys this festival and till date this ritual of Deepotsava to commemorate the Debate Victory of Jagadguru Shankaracharya over Jain Sect.

• 495 B.C. – Shurparak was ruled by son of Samrat Sudhanva, Samrat Veerdhanva, the succeeded by Samrat Jayadhanva during whose reign the famous mythology of Jeevdhan happened. Later during the rule of Jayadhanva’s son Samrat Veer Sinh, it was handed to Ahoka Gupta of Magadha.
• 400 B.C. – Magadha king Ashoka Gupta’s rule starts in most of the Bharat varsha , hence Shurparak too goes under his regime.
• 422 B.C. – Ashoka Gupta’s son Jalauk travels through the length and breadth of Bharat along with his Rajaguru, the

5 th Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swami Vidyaranya, untiringly traveled
to defeat Jains and Buddhists in the philosophical debates and
established Hindu Vedic Dharma on firm footing.During His visit to
Shurparak after defeating Jain and Buddhists scholars from
Shurparak, Kanheri and other places , attains Samadhi on Kartik
Krishna Tryayodashi B.C.404 at Vimaleshwar Mandir. 

His Samadhi is located in the Vimaleshwar Mandir.Some Kashmiri Pandits visit Swami Vidyaranya here at Shurparak requesting him to ask Jalauk raja to build a mandir in Shri Nagar where Adya Shankaracharya defeated the Kashmiri Shaivas.Here King Jalauk was ordered to build a Mandir in Srinagar (Kashmir) at the site where Adi Shankaracharya stayed for some time. Jalauk obeys the orders of Swami Vidyaranya.These Brahmin families settled in Shurparak to serve Swami Vidyaranya. Even today their descendent families stay in Sopara.

*373 B.C.             – 7 th Jagadguru Shankaracharya Padmanaabha
Yirtha Swami during His visit to Shurparak attain Samadhi at a
hillock near to Vimaleshwar Mandir. This was destroyed by the
Portuguese in 1550’s but the fragments of the original Samadhi were
preserved by the local people near Shankaracharya Mandir.

• Around 225 B.C.- Rule of Ashoka Gupta of Kalinga and Magadha. This has been mentioned in the 8 th and 9 th rock edict of Ashoka.During this era Vasai had 18 Gates, 64 Yoginis (jeevdani being one of them), Kshetrapaala mandir (now located at Brahman Ali Papdi), as per the ancient “Nagara Rachana Shastra”.
• 228-198 B.C. – King Krishna Saatavahan rules Shurparak later hands over his empire’s rule of North Konkan to his son Ugradev. Saatavahan Kings continue the symbol of Sudhanva Samrat in their edict viz. a sun a moon cresent and a holy pot. This symbol shows the followance of the then Jagadguru Sankaracharya’s orders showing unity among Somavansha and Surya Vansha Kshatriyas. Ugradev Raja reconstructs the Vasai fort.
• 200 B.C. –King Ugradev rules Sopara.
• 56 B.C. – Samrat Vikramadatya, the Great of Ujjain obtains Shurparak and obtains one of the Panchadands.During his period too the rajya of Shurparak remains under the hands of Saatavanah Kings, loyal to Samrat Vikramaditya. Their names Simruk, Krishna, Shatakarni Purnotsanga , Skandasthambi,etc.
• Around 10-50 A.D.–Kshatrap Ushavadatta (also called Ushavadaat) , son of Kshatrap Nahapaan ruled Shurparak and builds large Dharmashalaas and Anna Chhatras.He was very religious and very kind.
• Around 50 A.D. – Jivdatta (Jivdaat), son of Ushavadatta too was very religious like Ushavadatta. He then becomes king of Shurparak.Jain ascetics from Gujarat wanted this generous king to follow their fold for their monetary benefit.Thus appoint Vajrasen for this task.
• 60-80 A.D. – Jain preacher Vajrasen converts four sons of Jivadatta into Jain Sect. Thuys these four sons become the founders of the four families, that is Kuls hence their descendents are called “Chaukalsis”.
• Around 90 A.D. – Gautamiputra Shatakarni establishes his rule over the western strip of India including Shurpaaraka.
• Around 120 A.D.- Satavahan ruler Rishabha Datta ruled this region which finds its mention in the edict at the 10 th cave in Nashik.

During the same period 38 th Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swami
Shivananda Saraswati establishes a Parishad of Vaidik Sanyasis at
place called Nangol in Shurparaka (Sopara).Here the Sanyasis and
Sadhus of the Charaka order lived near Rahatirtha, presently called
Ramkunda at Sopara.

• Around 160 A.D. – Gotamiputra Yajnashri Shatakarni ruled Shurparak and thus the north Konkan by defeating the Nahapan kings and reestablishing the yajnya culture from vedic dharma.His rule marked the crest jewel in the history of Satavahan kings.His rule saw skilful masons, coppersmiths and goldsmiths. The present hamlets of the “Kasar and Sonar people” in Sopara belong to this period.Renovates the Vasai Fort.
• 280 A.D. – Ramachandradev Yadav of the Somavanshi Yadav Clan start rule in Shurparak. Now the Yadav rule starts and lasta till 1071 A.D. for around 9 centuries.
• 300-400 A.D. –Nala Dynaty and Maurya Dynasty rules Shurparak for some period.
• Around 400-500 A.D. – Shurparak goes into the hands of Trikutaka Empire.During this period three Trikutaka rajas ruled Shurparaka successively viz.Indradatta, Dahrasen and Vyaghrasen.
• Around A.D.850 – Dridhaprahaara Yadav rules.
• Around A.D. 900 – Seunachandra (I) Yadav and then Dvaadiyappa Yadav rules.
• Around A.D.916 – Bhillam (I) Yadav rules. Here starts relationship with the Shilaahaara Kings, with the marriage of Bhillam Yadav with Lashtiyavva the daughter of King Shilahaara Jhanjha.
• Around A.D. 1017- King Aarakeswar Shilahaar rules Shurparak.
• Around 1030-1069 A.D.- Yadav Seunachandra (II) of Somvanshi clan ruled Shurparak including Vasai.His raajaguru was Sarvadevaachaarya. On his commands Bimba Yadav rules Shurparak.Here the name of village “Chincholi” appears. “Sonaarbhat”, a colony of skilled Sonar’s (goldsmiths) find first mention in this period.
• 1072 A.D. – Rule of Shri Haripaala Shilahaara. A great Religious congregration of Vedic Religion was conducted at Shurparak and various scholars from different parts of Bharat Varsha (Undivided Hindustan) were honoured and many of them were requested to stay at Shurparak. Sri Haripaala Shilahaara donates a fruit orchid at village Ranjali to great scholar Vishnu Upadhyay who was a Kanyakubja Brahmin.He was such a great scholar that in 1059 A.D. a donation of 10 Drammas (the currency of Eastern India) was donated to Him for his nobel activities like running Veda Patha Shala.The Mahapradhan Ahamalladev donates the revenue of Ane Wadi to a scholar Brahmadeva Deva Bhatta.During this eccassion Vasudev Padwal, Mahapradhan Padmashiva Raul, and Pradhan Vasugi Nayak were present.

Here we find the name of Vattaaraka modern day name Vatar. Here during the religious congregration various lands were donated by Raja Haripaala to many Brahmins of various branches, thus the 12 villages around this Vattaraka were given to Brahman Scholars many of them Rigvedi, Yajurvedi, Saamavedi and Atharvavedis.But these Brahmins later during the crises went away in the Vatodara region and Nasik region only to leave behind some of their traces which later faced conversions from Portuguese and intercaste marriages and inter gotra marriages with the local Kshatriyas, Agris and Koli clans.Thus during the Portuguese all this region was depleted with pure Brahmin society.

• Around 1138 A.D.- King Pratap Bimba Chalukya, brother of Govardhan Bimba raids Shurparak from northern side of Vaitarana. Captures Shurparak and remakes the old city of Mahikavati i.e. Kelve Mahim.His empire extends from Daman to Valukeshwar (Walkeshwar).
• Around 1148 A.D.- Pratap Bimba Chalukya dies in 1147 A.D., Mahi Bimba ascends to throne of Mahikavati (Mahim).Taking advantage of new power, Krupal Shilahaara captures back Shurparak, but his boundaries remain limited TO Shurparak , i.e. from North coast of river Ulhas to the southern bank of famous Vaitarni River.
• 1138 A.D. TO 1185 A.D. A round this period Sopara becomes epicenter of various political activities with this famous city going into hands of many rulers during this short time period*
• Around 1160 A.D.- Aparaditya Shilahaara attacks Sopara and arrests Mahi Bimba from Pratap Bimba’s family and keeps him in the prison of Sashti. According to the treaty Mahi Bimba leaves claim from Daman to Dahisar and hands over this land to Aparaditya Shilahaara. Pratap Bimba (II), son of Mahi Bimba now establishes new Mahim in Mumbai and rules there till A.D.1267.
• Around 1161 AD –King Mallikarjuna Chandra Dev rules Vasai. His collegues being Prabhakara Nayak, Paadhi Anant, Devshiv Rajguru and Shaivaite Temple Priest Bhopa Dharmashiva and Avajha Upadhyay Laakhnak. Here it should be noted that all the above names belong to Eastern India.The name Mallikaarjuna is very common in the Rajmahendri (Rajmundri) district of Andhra. The surnames Nayak, Paadhi, Raajguru, Bhopa, Avajha Upadhyay all are the names very common even now in Orissa.All these names are taken from the inscribed stone obtained from Sopara and now kept safely in Royal Asiatic Society Mumbai. Here we get the mention of three names of places in old Shurparak namely “Shilaarvaavak”,”Padhaalasak”, “Katkhadi”.General Ambud, a Somavanshi Kshatriya from Gujarat, from Anhilvaad, whose lineage runs back to orissa somavanshis, tried to attack Mallikarjun Shilahaar and for this settles near Dahanuka river (Dahanu).At the same time Mohamedeans attack Anhilvaad and thus the somavanshi sena stays near Dahanuka .They help Yadavs to conquer North Konkan and defeat Shilahaaras. In return Yadavs accommodate these Somavanshi kshatriyas in Dahanu.
• Around 1161-95 A.D.- Aparaditya Shilaahaara rules Vasai. He was called “Maharaajaadhiraaja Konkana Chakravarti”.Here during this times we find names of villages “Saatuli” (Now Sativli), “Nandui” and name of Brahmin named Vedaanggraasi.Shilaaharas rule Shurparak.

Ambassador of Shilahaar King Aparaditya, named “Tejakantha” defeats
the scholars of other faiths in a grand debate organized at
Shurparak and then Aparaditya had honour of sending the Shurparak
deligate Tejkantha to literary conference at Shardi in Kashmir for
further proving his scholarship.

There a mention of his visit to Shankaracharya Hill in Srinagar to receive blessings are found in the Kashmiri records.There he visits the relatives of Kashmiri Brahmins at Sri Nagar whose relatives were settled at Vasai. Even today the Brahmins of Vasai with surname Pandit who are locals, claim themselves to be descendents of Kashmiri Brahmins.

• 1195-1232 A.D.- Keshiraaja Shilahaara rules Sopara. . He was also called “Maharaajaadhiraaja Konkana Chakravarti”. During his rule, his feudal Raja Anurodha ruled Shurparak. During this period a great saga of Bimbadev Rana starts at Shurparak.Bimbadev Rana,was the illustrious son of Kanauj Vidyapur’s King Shankardev Rana and Devi Mankoji Bai. After Shankardev, the step brother of Bimbadev named Mahipaal Rana ascends the throne by backing of the Mohamedeans, though Bimbadev was original heir of Shankardev. Thus Mankojbai leaves Kannauj with her son Bimbadev Rana, gets help from her brother Hedurao and King of Sorat Ankush Rana(whose nation was also facing Mohamedean wrath). All these came to Devgiri to meet illustrious Ramdevraya.Seeing the valour of Bimbadev Rana, Ramdev hands over the kingdom of Paithan to Bimbadev as his feudal. Bimbadev acquires fame for his able administrative skills..But at the same time, an innocent Brahman was killed by Ramdevrao. This act was condemned by the regional Kings. Even Bimbadev Rana who had highest regard for the meritorious Brahmins now refused to remain as feud of such a King. In such a religious dilemma now Ramdevrav got some support from the “Patane Prabhu” community and some “Palshi Clan”, and using the support of these people he continued his kingdom.Seeing this, Bimbadev Rana preferred to leave Paithan and ascend towards Konkana and defeated King Anurodha,fued of Shilahaar on the place of confluence of River Vaitarana and Sindhu Sagara. During this campaign Raja Bimbadev Rana got support from the old Gujarati Somavanshi Kshatriya friends of Hedurav and Raja Ankush Rana, who had settled in Sopara about a century ago. After this campaign, Bimbadev donated 66 villages to his 66 Sardars and this was none other than the “Sasti” island. He honoured the Brahmins here and felicitated Somvanshi heads namely Thakur, Raut, Chaudhari, Mahapatra (Mhatre), Save (Saave) and Gharat. He also honours and released orders in 1204 A.D. that the somavansha kshatriyas are eligible to use “Chattra Sinhasana and 5 Kalashas”. Thus since 1204 A.D. these Somavanshi Kshatriya clan (Both from Orissa Somavanshi clan who had settled in Shurparak in 280 A.D. and Gujarati Somavanshi clan) come to be known as “Panchkalshis”.But his kingdom doesn’t last long, after his death Shilahaaras took over Shurparak.
• 1233 A.D. – Rule of Ramachandra Dev Shilahaar starts. The head of Konkan was I(Vi)shwar Dev and head of Shurparak Pranta was Kanher Dev, who was born by the grace of Kanher Dev Shiv Mandir located in Krishnagiri (Kanheri) Caves.
• 1255 A.D. – Rule of Jetugi Dev Shilahaar Konkana Chakravarti starts.His ministers were Shri Udayiprabhu, Maayi Naayaka (from Orissa),Daada Prabhu, Jasami Naayaka (From Orissa). A great astrologer of International fame named Shri Khidev (from Orissa) resided in Nivayi Garden in Sandor,Vasai during these times.During this period a Raajapatha (Royal Road) was built in Sopara passing through Nirmal.Here at Sandor the Shilahaara Kings renovated the Revatirtha Mahadev and installed a Nandi there. This place is now called “Relbav”.
• 1290 A.D. – Rule of Yadavs of Somavanshi Clan of Eastern India ,thus they carry in their names the title “Chandra Dev”.King Iyarandev and later King Naarandev rule Shurparak for a short time.
• 1294 A.D. – Bhimdev Yadav starts rule over Shurparak and Mahikavati.He established Suryavanshis and Sesha Vanshis in Mahim and Shurparak. Bhimdev also brought Agales (i.e. Agris) from Mungi Paithan in Paithan District on banks of Godavari, who work as Patharvat (Road Makers), Mithagre (Working on Salt Pans). In Portuguese rule Agaris were forced to work as sanitary cleaners by Portuguese. Agris are considered to be clan originating from a Kshatriya Prince Yayati and his maid servant (dasi) Aagalika. Bhimdev Yadav gave a new look to the city of Shurparak. The city comes to a new repute from the educational and cultural point of view.

Bhimdev Raja invited 101 st Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swami
Sukhabodha Tirtha to Shurparak around 1296 A.D. and requested a
dharmic justice to purify Anhilvaad Somvanshis assisting them to
take Prayashchitta about the abhakshya bhakshana (about eating
flesh of horse) during the war with the Mumbai Somvanshis and
Mohamedeans.

• 1350 A.D. – Internal conflict starts between descendents of Bhimdev and Seshvanshi’s. The Somavanshis of Anhilvad assist Seshavanshis and defeat Yadav dynasty. Survanshis flee to Sashti and Chaul. Now Shurparak goes into hands of Seshvanshis with only three clans of kshatriyas left namely Anhilvaad (now called vaadval) Somavanshi Kshatriyas, Seshavanshi Kshatriyas and Chaukalshi Kshatriyas.
• 1394- 1414 A.D.- Rule of Natharao Sinda Bhedari-Bhongle from Sheshavanshi Kshatriya Clan. He was the first king to build the Vasai Fort. Vasai was called Bajipur in the Puranic Records.(Bajipur is original name of Vasai, as mentioned in Padma Purana,but people mistake it to be named after Bajirav Peshwa.
• 1414 A.D.-1507 – The political crisis reign the Shurparak and Mahikavati with clashes between Somavanshis , who now called themselves Paanch Kalshis and Seshavanshis. Thus Shurparak becomes very weak politically. Mohammedeans prepare themselves to take advantage of this weak rule.
• 1507-1530 A.D.- Moghuls from Gujarat continuously raid Vasai and ultimately in 1530A.D. Sultan Bahadur of Gujarat and foe of Humayun , hold Vasai and start heavy destructions of Stone Temples of Hindus and Burud Raja’s Palace, destroy stone lined “Tirtha Sthalas “ (Lakes & reservoirs. (Ref. Jordanus’ Mirabilia Pg. 23).
• 1507-1517 A.D. – Mirat-I-Ahmadi mentions the rule of Mahmud Begada.
• 1526 A.D. – Portuguese establish the first factory.
• 1529 A.D. – Hector-de-Sylveria attacks Ali Shah - burns and plunders Vasai. Religious Conversions start under guidance of hoary Franciscan missionary

                              Fr.Antonio-de-Porto.               

• 1532 A.D. – Governor of Diu Malik Tokan of Bahadur Shah re-fortifies Vasai. Establishes

15000 Cavalry and Infantary.

• 1533 A.D. - Portuguese General Nuno-da-Cunha alongwith Diogo-de-Sylveria and Manuel-de-Macedo bring 150 Ship- 4000 men (half Europeans, Half Goanese) and attack Vasai. Bahadur Shah cedes Vasai. Religious Conversions restart under guidance of hoary Franciscan missionary Fr.Antonio-de-Porto.
• 1536 A.D. – Antonio Galvano opposes Moghul Attack on Vasai, lays foundation corner stone for the reconstruction of Bacaim Fort.
• 1537 A.D. – Antonio Galvano furiously pulls down certain Muslim Mosques and in their place builds Cathredal of St.Joseph.
• 1539 A.D. – Muslims see this act as danger to Islam in this region and calls “Jehad” and pray to Moghul Emperor. Moghuls attack Bacaim, but the Portuguese valour thrash them.
• 1542-1680 A.D. – Clergymen under guidance of fathers of Jesuit College start conversions of natives into Christanity by preachings and back supported by the brutal forced conversions of around 10000 natives by infantary led by Antonio Galvano.Basically Portuguese backed Franciscians.

Immediately at the advent of Portuguese rule, the missionary of
zeal St. Francis Xavier arrive in Vasai not once in 1544 A.D., and
twice in 1548A.D. and train the pastors for Evangelisation. Soon
the Portuguese stripped lake banks, pulled down around 200 temples
and used the stones in building Portuguese Churches, forts, houses,
religious and state buildings whose ruins still adorn Bassein.

• 1583 A.D. – Bacaim becomes full fledged trade centre with trade of rice,corn and timber for ship building. St.Joseph Cathredal construction completes, 5 Convents , 13 Churches, an orphanage (for the illegitimate children of the portuguse ) and a hospital built in the city of Bacaim.Of which Dominican Church was built in the Fort under the invocation of Sam Goncalo.Portuguese intensify their evangelization movement to increase support against invaders of other faiths, by waving off tax named “Tethis” to all the converted natives. Start torture of unconverted natives (Shamedis, Bhandaris & Kolis)which was so brutal that the King Phillip II of Spain feels pity of the status of natives in Bacain and complains about the same in 1587 A.D.

*1587 A.D.          – Conversion movement by Jesuits fathers
supported by brutality implied by Portuguese rulers on the
unconverted natives including Hindus,Musalmans and Parsis come to
such a limit that the Europe shivers with reports of such brutality
to the effect that King Philip II of Spain strongly opposes such
misdeeds of religious institutions in support with Infantary. 

• 1607 A.D. – Bacaim gets international acclaim to be place of Ship-building, place of export of building stone, (these stones are used to construct all Goanese Churches).
• 1603-1612 A.D. - Portuguese start heavy persecutions upon unconverted natives that made many Hindus, Musalmans and Parsis leave their homes and live in the dominions of Shah Jahan. (Ref . Goez 1603 & New Account I.180)
• 1612 A.D. – Muslims besiege Bacaim but fail considerably.
• 1618 A.D. – Due to curse followed by such brutality, on May 15, 1618 morning 2 A.M. earthquake and diabolical storm destroys churches and dwellings of Jesuits, Augustinians and Franciscans. A succession of disastors fall heavily on Bacaim. Superior of the College Emanuel Acosta dies this night.Jesuit Fathers repent for their sins on native unconverted and pray in the church with groans. Sudhanva (520 b.c.) had a sun and a moon cresent along with a Holy Pot on his every edicts, which was maintained by all Hindu kings thereafter.This symbol continues in various various edicts found at Vasai as also some Portuguese churches and Hindu temples in Vasai continue to draw this symbol. This is a practice which is followed in no churches other than at Vasai.

Portuguese accepted this demand at the request of native converts,
who refused to part off with their Hindu customs, thus even today
all the rituals and dress code of the native Christians remain the
same as their original religion Hinduism.Even the native converts
refuse to part off with their traditional caste , and hence call
themselves as samvedi Christians, bhandari Christians, koli
Christians and so on. 

They continued to wear their traditional dhoti,Kupari Laal Topi,
nauvaar saadi of red or blue colour. Maintained their ornaments
like Putala Haar, Lahaan Shiran, Vajrateek, Dole,Paashi Haar, Ketak
and Gulaab Phule, Thushi, Sonyachi Kanthi and Kot, Duledi,
Bormaal,Chude, Navale,Dandakade, Vaalaa,Gof, Toda, Mangaal Sutra
and all such soubhagya alankaara including green bangles. 

Only Portuguese refrained them from applying Kumkum to distinguish themselves from the native unconverts.

• 1618-1634 A.D. – Portuguese give conversions a slow down and start maintaining good relations with native unconverts to avoid conflicts, curses and thus grow their trade in rice, pulses, grains and cocoanuts.They allow 200 native Christians to stay within the walls of Bacaim along with better class of Christians.Though craftsmen and Hindus were not allowed to live within the walls. The Jesuit college gets reformed with fine library of commentaries, works on history and morals, increase hospitality and made public places of entertainment unnecessary. In mean time Marathas under Shivaji came to know of plight of unconverted natives of Bacaim and the ill treatement ment on converted natives by Portuguese.They keep close watch on Portuguese rule.

*1665 A.D.          – In August 1665 Christian Father Domieo Vierra
congratulate Moghuls on defeating Shivaji.

• 1674 A.D. – 600 Arab pirates from Muskat landed at Bacaim and plundered all churches outside of the walls and did cruel violence on native converts and unconverts. This marked the decay of Portuguese power. These Arabs settled in the now what is called as “Hathi Mohalla “ and later spread in Papdy. Seeing this as right opportunity, Shivaji recommends More Pandit to settle in Kalyan and forced Portuguese to pay one forth of Bacaims revenue.
• 1676 A.D. – Shivaji, the great Hindu Warrior cautiously advances near Bacaim and fortifies Saiwaan.He invested Bacaim , but the Surat Campaign leaves him witrh less time to conquer Bacaim.
• 1690 A.D. – Bacaim striken by pestilential plague continuing the Bacaim city along with Ahmedabad, Surat, Deccan and Bombain for seven to eight years.About two thirds of the city lost the life in this deadly disease.
• 1693 A.D. – Jagadguru Shankaracharya Narayan Upendra Swami of Jyotish Peetham arrive in Vasai during his onward journey from Rameshwaram back to Jyotishpeetham. But due to the continuing plague, decides to stay in Nirmal to prevent his staff from the plague. Here he attains Samadhi. This is located in the open ground near “Sureshwar Mandir” .
• 1702 A.D. – The economic crises in London adversely affect the trade from Vasai.
• 1728 A.D. – Portuguese Officer sent from Goa observes that outposts, stockades, forts and grassion of Bacaim was in poor state with only unskilled and untaught and undrilled robber like soldiers left in the fort. Portuguese take strong steps to restructure the Bacaim’s administrative structure.
• 1737-38 A.D. – Knowing the continuing plight of the unconverted natives and ill behaviour of such robber like soldiers. Even the Britishers at Bombay were annoyed at the hostility and treachery of the Jesuits. Grabbing this opportunity to reestablish the Hindu religion in its original form, Marathas march towards Bacaim.They seize Arnala and occupy Versova and Dharavi.
• 1739 A.D. - Seize of Bacaim begins on 17 th February 1739 under able leadership of Bajirav’s brother Chimnaji Aappa.Marathas exhibit besiegning force, skill, courage and perseverance and thus Portuguese loose their commander Sylveria-de-Menezes. But Portuguese Garrison defends with highest courage and constancy with hand grenades, musketry and mortars.Angre’s fleet plays and brave role and opn 16 th May 1739 Marathas defeated Portuguese with might. Portuguese offered to capitulate, but requested to allow to march out with honours which Marathas accepted, as a mark of humane protocol to the defeated army. The loss of Portuguese was about 800, and that of Marathas was 5000 and 7000 injured. But Bacaim fell from Portuguese as a stately tree never to rise again.
• 1739 A.D. – Bacaim was named as Bajipur. To restore the Hindu Culture and resettle the unconverted natives from the tortures they incurred upon by the Portuguese Rule, Peshwas brought a filght of well trained, well learned Brahmans to purify the native converts willing to reconvert to their original Hindu fold and made them fit to take their place in their old castes. To the converts unwilling to come back to Hindu Fold or to those who were born out of Portuguese Peshwas left their Churches unhurt to enable them to follow their faith freely.

                             Chimnaji Appa restores the Nageshwar Mandir near Naga Kunda, Hanuman Mandir which existed in the Fort from the times of  Bhongle Raja. And also revives the oldest Trivikram Mandir in Fort and Vamana Mandir of Aggasi said to have been established by Shri Vamadev Tirtha Swami in B.C. 388.Restored Bhavani Shankara Mandir of Aggasi, Papdy Kshetrapaleshwar Mandir which existed from time immemorial but renovated by Bhongle Raja and destroyed by Portuguese.Also rebuilt and restored Jagadguru Shankaracharya Mandir at Nirmal. Also reestablish the Padmanabha Tirtha Swami Samadhi Ruins on the outskirts which were destroyed by Portuguese. Shankarji Keshav , the Subhedaar of Vasai took lead in all these activities.

• 1767 A.D. – Dutch wished to establish the factory at Bassein
• 1774 A.D. – The Bassein town was taken by British but was again restored to the Marathas.
• 1780 A.D. – British led by Godrad attacked Vasai from 13 th November to 10 th December and acquired Vasai from the Marathas.
• 1783 A.D. – Under the treaty of Salbai (March 1782) Bassein was restored to Marathas.
• 1802 A.D. – 31 st December , the Treaty of Bassein was concluded.
• 1817 A.D - Bassein with the rest of North Konkan passed to British. British soon start establishing modern Catholic Churches including Our Blessed Lady of Mercy, Our Blessed Lady of Remedies, St. Michael the Archangel (Manikpur 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 A.D. – British attempted to revive the industry in Bassein by starting the Sugar Factory, but the scheme failed from the death of Mr.Lingard the promoter.
• 1838 A.D. – Bassein almost became deserted with just a small population of fishermen, hunters, native converted and native unconverted ones. The population dropped down from 60499 in the beginning of 1802 A.D. to 10356 in 1881 A.D.
• 1852 A.D. – The ruined Portuguese Church of N.S.-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.D           - Road was built connecting Bassein to Manikpur
(Umela).

• 1860 A.D. – The land of the fort was leased for thirty years to Major Littlewood, whose son cultaved the fields in the fort for some time. Franscian Church was closed by bastion of Sam Sebastian under the pressure of British and Mrs Littlewood.
• 1864 A.D. – Bassein Municipality was established.A new town beside Par Naka was established in the village of Malonde. The Bassein Municipality limit included Old Fort, Malonde, Dhauli, Sandore, Mulgaon and many gardens and fields between Bassein and Papdy.
• 1869 A.D. – Mamlatdaar Office gets established.
• 1872 A.D - Balwantrao Hari Naik Dispensary was estrablished in the house given byYashwantrav Balavantrav Naik.
• 1947 A.D. – British Rule Vasai.
• 1947-2007 A.D. – Rule of Union Government of India rule Vasai from New Delhi by the democratically elected representatives.

Educational institutions

• G. J. Vartak High School
• Holy Paradise High School
• VidyaVardhini's College of Engg and Technology (Vartak college)
• Thomas Baptista High School and Junior College
• St. Francis High School
• St. Francis Xavier High School
• St. Petter English High School
• Carmelite Convent English High School
• St. Augustines School
• Vidya Vikasini English High School
• New English School
• St. Anthony's Convent High School
• St. Thomas High School
• Holy Family Convent High School & JR College
• Fr. Stephens Academy High School
• St. Aloysius Convent School
• Huzaifa Urdu high school
• Nazareth Convent Girls' School
• Holy Family School, Bhuigaon
• St Elizabeth Convent Holi.. 1987 Batch
• The Ambassador High School,Waliv,Vasai East
• R.P. Wagh High School, Remedy, Vasai

Places of Interest

• Bassein Fort
• Suruchi Baug
• Chimaji Appa Playground
• Ayyappa Temple
• Clean Coast Line (Best for Couples)
• Bhuigaon Suruchi Baug
• Bhuigaon Sea Beach

Churches in Vasai

Churches In Vasai:

1) Cathedral Of St.Joseph , Now called St.Joseph (Built by Viceroy Dam Joao De Castro by pulling down Musalmaan Mosques built by Bahadur Shahs General by pulling down Umraleshwar Mahadev Temples) , Umrale Gaon (1546 A.D.) 
2) Nossa Senhora da Vida (1548 A.D.)
3) Church Of Saint Joseph, Umrale built by Viceroy Dom Joao de Castro (1546 A.D. renovated on                                            1973)
4) Church Of Invocation of St. Antonio 
5) Nossa Senhora de Annunciada
6) Holy Cross Church , Nirmal (1556 A.D.)
7) Nossa Senhora da Ajuda built in the Sandor village for the  
converts by Donna Irina (1564 A.D.St.Gonsalo Garcia was present as
a boy for the foundation ceremony of this chapel The chapel was 
destroyed by Muslim Arab invaders from Gujarat in 1571, and was
reconstructed in 1573. In 1679, Arabs from Gujarat once again 
attacked and damaged the church. In 1690, a certain muslim invader
by name of 'Nayati Kakaji' of Sopara also attacked and damaged the
church.. This is now known as St.Thomas the Apostle Church , Sandor.
7) St.James Church, Agashi (1568 A.D.)
8) Holy Spirit Church, Nandakhal (Built in 1573 A.D. by razing the
Nandeeshvar Mahadev Mandir along the “Nandika Tirtha” lake
mentioned in Padmapuran by Fr.Malchoir Gonsalves a close friend of
St.Xavier).
9) Dominican Church of Invocation of Sam Gonsalo (1583 A.D.)
          (Gonsalo Garcia Church), Gaas Gaon. 
10) Nossa Senhora dos Remedios (Ramedy) Dhauli Church –(1821 A.D.)
11) St.Thomas the Apostle, Sandor Church (1838 A.D.)
12) Our Blessed Lady, The Mother of God Church, Pali – by 
destroying “Bilva Pali” tirtha of Lord Shiva, renovated in 1840 A.D.
13) St. Michael The Archangel , Manikpur Church (1851 A.D.)
14) Our Blessed Lady of Grace , Papdy Church (1865 A.D.)
15) St.Rock , Gokhivre (1930 A.D.)
16) St. Peter , Arnala (1931 A.D.)
17) St.Peter, Koliwada (1933 A.D.)
18) Holy Family , Bhuigaon (1946 A.D.)
19) Fatima Mata , Chulan Gaon (1964 A.D.)
20) Nirmala Mata Church (1974 A.D.)
21) St.Paul , Naan bhat (1975 A.D.) 
22) St. Mary Magdelena (Mulgaon)
23) Our Lady of Mercy (Merces)
24) St. Francis (Giriz)
25) Infant Jesus (Merces)
26) Ignatius Loyola church (Ambadi)
27) Infant Jesus Church (Evershine City, Vasai East)
28) Holy Trinity church(Gomesali)

The Vasai region were never disturbed by the intra-Catholic Padroado-Propaganda conflict as the region remained firmly faithful to the Archbishop of Goa and refused to accept the authority of the Vicars Apostolic of Bombay and their successors, the Archbishops of Bombay. In 1886, the northern part of the Archdiocese of Goa was carved out as the Diocese of Damao, including the Vasai region, and it was only in 1928 that the two dioceses (Damao & Bombay) were merged, so that the Vasai region came under the Archbishops of Bombay for the first time in 1928.Now it comes under the Dioceses of Vasai.

Theatres

• Janki Theatre
• KT Multiplex
• Parvati Cinema Hall
• Sapna Theatre
• dhananjay talkies
• Kulraj broadway

Tungareshwar mountaining Brijeshwari

Restaurants

• Bageecha
• Gold Coin
• Kinara
• Kubera
• Priya
• Dwarka
• Celebrity
• Neelam-e-Punjab
• Green Garden (serves authentic local and different foods)
• Mahesh
• Vrindavan
• Rishikesh
• Kasbah
• status
• panchavati
• haridwar
• green house
• Onam
• Akshaya
• Jalsa
• planet 50-50
• Carnival
• Liberty
• Sai Leela

Prime Community

Vasai has basically 5 communities: 1)Brahmins 2)Kudal Deshkars 3)Saraswats 4)Panamali (Somavanshi Kshatriya Samaj) 5)Bhandari (Seshavanshi Kshatriya Samaj) 6)Shamedi 7)Palshe 8)Aagri 9)Chambhar 10)Koli

In all the above 10 communities half the population was converted to Christanity around 1570 A.D. by the then trecherous Portuguese regime.

Somvanshi Kshitriya/ Panmali

Vocabulary The word "Somavanshi Kshatriya" means the 2 nd 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/Paan Bhandari:

Sopara and Mahim are said to be the land of confluence of the 
Somavanshi Kshatriya clan, one from Utkala and other from  
Gujarat and still other from Magadha and Mahishmati.The Somavanshis 
of Vasai & Palghar taluka have a unique history. 

1)The history of Somavanshis in Vasai date back to B.C.2000 to the rule of Utkal (now Orissa) Naresh Guhashaya.Raja Guhashaya ruled Shurparak during 2000 B.C. Since then Shurparak was the place ruled by able Kshatriyas of Somvansha. 2) Later during 14 th century B.C. Somavanshis Maurya clan ruled Sopara , thus bringing in some Somvanshi Kshatriyas from Magadha Pradesha. 3)Later the clan of Somavanshi Raja Sudhanva of Mahishmati and Laat ruled Sopara from B.C.600 to B.C.200. Thus some Somavanshi families from Mahishmati too came to Sopara. 4) Later around 280 A.D. Ramachandradev Yadav of the Somavanshi Yadav Clan of Telangana start rule in Shurparak. Now the Yadav rule starts and lasts till 1071 A.D. for around 9 centuries.During this rule many Telangana Somavanshi Kshatriyas migrated to Sopara. 5) Later around 1138 A.D., King Pratap Bimba Chalukya, brother of Govardhan Bimba, of the Somavanshi Kshatriya clan from Dekkhan raids Shurparak from northern side of Vaitarana. Captures Shurparak and remakes the old city of Mahikavati i.e. Kelve Mahim. Thus Somavanshi Kshatriyas from Dekkhan starts residing in Shurparaka (Sopara), but mainly in Mahim. 6) Around 1161 A.D. Senapati Ambud, a Somavanshi Kshatriya from Gujarat, from Anhilvaad, whose lineage runs back to orissa somavanshis, tried to attack Mallikarjun Shilahaar and for this settles near Dahanuka river (Dahanu).At the same time Mohamedeans attack Anhilvaad and thus the somavanshi sena stays near Dahanuka, later called Vadval .They help Yadavs to conquer North Konkan and defeat Shilahaaras. In return Yadavs accommodate these Somavanshi kshatriyas in Dahanu. 7) Raja Bimbadev Rana in 1204 A.D. gift the Simhasan and 5 Kalashis to the Somavanshi Kshatriyas of Sopara, Mahim and Dahanu as a mark of encouragement to Kshatriyas. But the Somavanshis of Sopara, who belonged to the royal clan of Samrat Sudhanva were only allowed to carry “Panchachattris” on their heads during marriage.

Thus Vasai carried Somavanshi Kshatriyas from Utkala, Magadha, Mahishmati, Dekkhan, and Anhilvad(Gujarat).Later all these Somavanshi Kshatriya clan got united and there started the marriages between the Somavanshis of Sopara, Mahim and Dahanu. Thus now all of them are called either Somavanshis , Vadval or Panchkalshis.All of them consider Jagadguru Shankaracharya as their traditional Guru and visit Nirmal often. They worship Goddess Bhuvaneshwari Mahalakshmi or Vajrabai (Vajreshwari) or Ekvira Devi or Mahikavati Mata as their Kulaswamini. Those who worship Bhuvaneshwari Mahalakshmi belong to the Somavanshi Clan of Utkala (Orissa). Those who worship Vajreshwari Mata belong to Magadha and Anhilvad. Those who worship Ekvira Mata are descendents of Dekkhan Somavanshis belonging to Devgiri or Mungi Paithan.Those who worship Mahikavati Mata are descendents of Mahishmati’s Somavanshis.

Normally the surnames of Somavanshis are Thakur, Raut, Chaudhuri, Mahapatra (Mhatre), Save (Saave) and Gharatha. These are the six important families of Somavanshi Kshatriyas. Of these Thakurs were locatedin Mahim, Rauts in Bajipur, Chaudhuri’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.

These Somavanshis , consult Brahmin Purohits during the marriage. This was according to the orders given to Kshatriya clan by Bimbadev Rana in Shake 1124. (See Bimbakhyana).After the consent of Brahmins the marriage process starts.During marriage the “Varaja” (Bridegroom) sits on a Sinhasana, made of wood. The size of Sinhasana was 3.5 ft*3.5. ft. The four sides of Sinhasana were decorated by 4 Kalshis or 4 Banana branches decorated with 4 green coconuts.Beside the “Varaja” a big Banana Trunk of height around 3 feet used to be kept and on it a Coconut figure made from Banana trunk was kept as 5th Kalasha. On this kalasha “6 Kamtyas” used to be kept as the mark of 6 Surnames, 6 Villages of Somavanshis and 6 faces of Brahmachari God Kartikeya. A dome (Ghumat) was made on the Sinhasana. Thus the “Naval” used to start for the Marriage procession.Somavanshis of Sopara used “Panchachattris” also.The bridegroom used to wear “Raanav Patta” (given by Bimbadev Rana), “Veer Kankan”,and “Todar”(ornament of Feet). The bride cladded with various customary ornaments like Putala Haar, Lahaan Shiran, Vajrateek, Dole,Paashi Haar, Ketak and Gulaab Phule, Thushi, Sonyachi Kanthi and Kot, Duledi, Bormaal,Chude, Navale,Dandakade, Vaalaa,Gof, Toda and would arrive in marriage tent seated on a well decorated bullock cart.After marriage the “Varaja” gives her Mangaal Sutra and all such soubhagya alankaara including green bangles and Kimkum (Pinjar).The “Mangalsutra” is traditionally made in Somvanshi community with a gold pendent woven in a Haldi Dhaga and embedded with “Moti” and “Pachu”. At the passage of times, when the Shurparak lost to the hands of Mohamedeans and later to Portuguese, such use of Sinhasanas were thought to be useless. People felt shame to use them since they felt themselves shy to use Sinhasans who were unable to defend their region from the foreign adharmic invaders.Thus only horse was used for bridegroom in coming times. Later at the advent of Peshwa rule , Peshwas promoted Somvanshis to use Sinhasanas and till 1926 A.D. Sinhasana was used for marriage. The last marriage when Sinhasana was used was of Panduranga Bhaurav Patil” whose descendents now reside in Dadar-Mumbai.

Now this community is engaged in business of flowers, agriculture and jobs in Mumbai region. Many Somvanshi women are employed as teachers in various BMC School and Zilla Parishad Schools. The present generation has acquired higher educational qualifications and are more and more of them are preferring jobs abroad.

The prominent people of this community include Padmashri Bhausaheb Vartak and the present politician Hitendra Thakur who has been consecutively been the MLA of Vasai Taluka since last 15 years.But his work has got the praise from wider areas, though there is hardly any crime which is not charged on him.

The present new trend in Somvanshi community is that , since they are called “Panmalis”, they have started acquiring OBC Reservation facilities of the Government. But the real history shows that they were not Backward classes nor they were Economically Backward. Some Somvanshis call this politico-selfish trend of acquiring Government reservations for Job and Studies as shame on the community name.

Thus Somavanshis were customarily and historically very nice and cultured.

Shamedi

Vocabulary The word “Shamedi” is the colloquial term ofrom the original Sanskrit word “Shamaneedresh” (“Shaman = Entertainment”, “Edresh = “Attributed”), meaning those workers in the royal court entertaining the King. The then king appointed these people to offer music services at the Samadi place, thus they were called “Samaadhi” which later became “Shamedi” meaning the Samadhi Temple musicians. 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).

Family deity The Family deity is considered to be the goddesses Bhuvaneshwari and Vimala. These goddesses are said to reside in the Utkala, present day Orissa.

History The history of Bassein dates back to Treta Yuga. Bassein (or Vasai or Oppire or Orparak or Shorparag or Shurparaka as it was called from time to time) was established by Bhagawan Parashuram. Bhagvan Parsuram established Vimaleshwar Mandir and Vimala Sarovara. He established the 64 yoginis in and around Vasai, since the yoginis were considered to be the devotees of His mother Goddess Renuka. He also established 108 Teertha Kundas or Pushkarinis in Vasai. This is quoted in the Holy Edict Skanda Purana and Padma Purana (Lotus Purana ).

Shamedis came as expert singers to Shurparak (Bassein) during the Buddha era 1500 BC from the remote areas of Orissa, then called as Utkala. During the Buddhist rule, their following of Vedic Dharma was loosened. At the advent of Adya Shankaracharya in Nirmal around 497 BC, the Buddhist Monks were defeated in the debates and returned to the Vedic Fold. Hinduism in the Samedis returned and they started strict following of the Vedic Dharma. They regarded Adi Sankara Jagadguru as their cardinal preacher. This is quoted in Holy Text Siva Leela Amrut.

Purna, the disciple of Gautama Buddha, belonged to “Vasai” i.e. earlier “Shoorparak”, and he preached in the Eastern India. Even after the advent of Sankaracharya, some Buddhists were left who used to criticize the Vedic Philosophy. Thus the King Jalauk of Kalinga took the then Jagat Guru Shankaracharya of Eastern India, i.e. H.H. Shankaracharya of Puri, to Shurparaga. He was 5th Shankaracharya of Puri named Swami Vidyaranya. His Holiness Swami Vidyaranya defeated remaining Buddhist Monks from Karla Caves, Mahad Caves, Kaneri Caves, and Shruparak and strongly revived the Vedic Dharma. Dur to old age and at the earnest prayers of the local Shamedis and Bhandaris Jagad Guru Shankaracharya Vidyaranya Swami of Puri Peetham took Mahasamadhi at the Nirmal Vimaleshwar Mandir in B.C 404 on the dark 11th day of Kartik. Emperor Jalauk (son of Ashoka) built a big Samadhi Mandir according to the Orissa architecture.

Later during the Vijaya Yatra the grand disciple of Swami Vidyaranya, named Swami Padmanabha Tirtha, the 7 th Jagadguru Sankara charya of Puri Govardhan Peetham arrived in Vasai during the “Vijaya Yatra” . His Holineess stayed here for some months and later attracted to this Holy Place decided to reside eternally at this place of his grend Guru. Thus Swami Padmanadha Tirtha Shankaracharya, who was devotee of Lord Vallabha (thus He was also called Vallabha Swami) (i.e. Krishna achieved Mahasamadhi at Vasai in B.C. 373 on a hillock next to the Nirmal hillock. A temple devoted to Lord Krishna in front of His Samadhi by the then Kashmiri Brahmin community who used to reside in Nirmal, brought by Raja Jalauk, from the area around Shankaracharya Parbat, Sri Nagar (Jammu and Kashmir).

Later this place was visited by 38 th Shrimad Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swami Shivananda Saraswati of Puri Govardhan Peetham during the rule of the Satvahan Kings.

During the times of Raja Bhimdev of Puri, inorder to solve the religious difference in between the Kshatriyas, the 106 th Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swami Sukhabodha Tirtha arrived in Vasai during the 13 th century A.D..

This Holy place was visited by Swami Vidyaranya, the 13 th Shankaracharya of Sringeri Sharada Peetham in the 15 th century. His samadhi is located at Hampi, Karnataka.

During A.D.1543 Portuguese started their rule in Bassein and started destruction of various cultural places in Vasai. The temple of Padmanabha Swami which was located at the hillock place now called “Nirmal Naka” was destroyed. The Brahmins, Shamedis and Bhandaris who regarded Jagadguru Shankarachrya as their Holy Guru were sad at this ill act and they brought the stones of the samadhi of Padmanabha Swami and placed them in front left hand side of Vidyaranya Swami Samadhi Mandir. During this period 200 religious places were destroyed by foreigners in Bassein. The atrocities of the Portuguese were on rise .At the request of the Citizens of Vasai Chimaji Appa Peshwa attacked Portuguese at Vasai and conquered Vasai in the18 th Century A.D.

He requested the guidance of monk - Swami Vidya Shankara Bharati who was the 8 th generation of the institution of Karvir- Sankeshwar (this is the institution established in 16 th century A.D. in Sankeshwar, Karnataka). He was the disciple of Jagadguru Shankaracharya. At the guidance of Swami Vidya Shancara Bharati, Chimaji Appa renovated, in the Orissa Architecture, the Samadhi Mandir of Swami Vidyaranya and Swami Padmanabha Tirtha, the 5 th and 7 th Shankaracharya of Puri Peetham,. This place due to atrocities of Portuguese rulers were devoid of Brahmins. Under the guidance of Swami Vidya Shankara Bharati, Chimaji Appa Peshwa, in consultations with Peshwa Bajirao, appointed 1 Konkanastha Chitpavan Brahmin, 1 Karhade Brahmin, 1 Devrukhe Brahmin and 4-5 Shukla Yajurvedi Gujrathi Brahmins in this region. Thus there were only 7-8 houses of Brahmins in whole Sopara region. Later Swami Vidya Shankara Bharathi went back to Sankeshwar and attained samadhi on the banks of River Hiranyakeshi.

In A.D.1926 Swami Bharati Krishna Tirtha, the 143 rd Jagadguru Shankaracharya of Puri Govardhan Peetham was received with warm welcome in a specially reserved train at Nala Sopara station. The Jagadguru Swagat Samiti was presided by a well known Shamedi Shri Vaze. Jagadguru had the Holy bath in the Vimaleshwar Sarovar then had Darshan of the Shri Sureshwar Mandir, Shri Vimaleshwar Mandir, and the two Samadhis of the previous Shankaracharyas viz. Swami Vidyaranya and Swami Padanabha Tirtha of the Puri Govardhan Peetham. This time Jagadguru addressed a large gathering of Shamedis. A big Yajnya was organized to commemorate this event. Again the same Puri Shankaracharya Swami Bharati Krishna Teerth visited Shurparak in the 1950’s. This time also there were huge gatherings which were hosted by Swami Nityananda of Ganeshpuri. This time also Shamedis extended great efforts in organizing the event.

Surnames of Shamedis There are six 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”. These 6 surnamed people belong to the following Gotras viz. 1) Bharadwaj 2) Kashyap 3) Atri 4) Kaushik 5)Vashishtha 6) Angirasa.

Profession of Shamedis The traditional profession of Shamedis 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 nagavel leaves. The cultivation of paddy was added to the profession in the late 17 th century.

Later during the 18 th century after the opening of the Mumbay (Bombay) as the chief city, the profession switched over to the gardening of flowers and wadis.

Presently many Shamedis are engaged in the professions like Politics, School Administration, Construction and Business.

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shamedi"

References

Da Cunha's Bassein
Fryer's New Accounts
Trans.Bom.Geog.Soc VII
Hamilton's Gazzetteer I
Dikinson's Report
Blue Book
Treaties Engagements and Sanads 
Nairne's Konkan
Bom.Quar.Rev. IV
Churchill's Voyages
Ovington's Voyages
Orme's History Frag.
O Chron. de Tis. I
Bruce's Annals
Hamilton's New Accounts
Mandelslo's Voyages.
Cordara's History of the Jesuits
Madras Journal V
Pyrard de Laval 
Portuguese Asia III- By Faria-y-Souza
O Chroniosta de Tissuary III
Hakluyt II
Gladwin's Ain-i-Akbari II
Harris I 
Ferishta-By Briggs
Bird's Mirat-i-Ahmedi
Kerr Voyages VI
Stanley's Barbossa
Gov.Res. 1393 of 1829
Thana's Statistical Account - Part I
Journal Of The Bombay Asiatic Society for 1882
Hardy's Manual of Buddhism - 2nd Edition
McCrindle's Periplus
Wilkinson's Ancient Egyptians
Champolion's L'Egypte I
History of Antiquity I 
Beke's Sources of the Nile
Vincent's Commerce Of The Ancients II
Smith's Dictionary of the Bible
Manning II
Heeren's Hist. Res. III
Max Muller's Science of Language Pg 190-192 Ed. 1861
Robertson's Ancient India I 
Acad. Des. Insc. XV II
Reinaud's Memoir Sur l'Inde 
Ritter's Erdkunde
Bunsen's Egypt III
Jahn's Hebrew Commonwealth
Cunningham's Anc. Geog. I 
Duncker's History of Ant. I 
Caldwell's Dravidian Grammar , Intro.
Yule's Cathay, I
Lindsay's Merchant Shipping I
Bible
Bom. Arch. Sur. X
Dowson's Classical Dictionary 
Trans. Sec. Ori. Cong.
Masudi's Prairies d'Or. I
Jour. B.B.R.A.S.XII
Jaubert's Idrisi, I
Reinaud's Abul Fida, II
Philostorgius III
Arch. Sur. of India. Report VIII
Spencer's Principles of Sociology I 
Arch . Sur. Report VI 
Senart's Journal Asiatique III
Government List of Civil Forts , 1862
Rao Saheb Mandalik In Jour. Bom.Br. Roy. As. Soc. X
Report On Portuguese Defences O Chron. de. Tis I
Surpur Shurparak Sopara By D.C.Nene
Aadya Shri Parshuram Kshetra- Nirmal Surpur By. V.Godbole
Shri Vajreshwari Mahima By H.Lele
Saatvahan aani Pashchami Kshatrapa Yaancha Itihaas Ani 
Koriiva Lekha - Dr. V.V.Mirashi
Gazeteer of the Bombay Presidency- Thane District - Vol 13 Part 2,
Ed 1882
Vasai Cha Sapramaan Aprasiddha Itihaas - Vedmurti D.Vaidya Shastri
The Portuguese and the Marathas - Dr.P.S.Pissurlenkar
Karaveer Riyasata - S.M.Garge
Vasai cha Killa - Fr Corea
Samvedi Christincha Itihaas - Fr. Corea
Aai Jeevdani- B.A.Dhapre
Shri Kshetra Tungareshwar Mahadev Mandir - D.S. More
Vasaitil Khristi Dharma va Kshristi Mandir- R.D'Silva
Bhagwan Parshuram Bhumi - B.Patil
Karveer Math - Karveer Math Publication
Shri Shivaleelamruta - Shridhara Swami
Shrimad Shankaracharya Sammata Nirmal Mahatmya
Bhagvatpaada Adi Shankaracharya S.P.Smrutigrantha
Shri Shankara Vijaya Churnikaa
Skanda Purana 
Padma Purana 
Mahabharata Vanaparva Ch 118
Harivansh Vishnu Parva Ch 39
Shripaala Charita Ch III
Bhagvata Purana
Raghuvansa IV
Zend Avesta I ccclxxiv
Stone Inscriptions from Royal Asiatic Society and Cions preserved
in Prince of Wales Museum Mumbai.

External links

19°23′N 72°50′E