Nashik
Nashik
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|---|---|
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Vinayak Pande (2007) |
| Population (2005) | |
| • Total | 1,364,000 |
Nashik (Marathi: नाशिक) () or Nasik Marathi: नासिक) ( (also variously written Nassak, Nassac, Nassik, Nessuck)[1] is a city in India's Maharashtra state. Nashik is in the northwest of Maharashtra state, 180 km from Mumbai and 220 km from Pune. Nashik is the administrative headquarters of Nashik District and Nashik Division. The "Wine Capital of India", or the "Grape City", as it is popularly known in recent times, is located in the Western Ghats, on the western edge of the Deccan peninsula on the banks of the Godavari River. In addition to supplying the name to the famed Nassak Diamond,[2] the city is known for its picturesque surroundings and pleasant climate. The Godavari River flows through Nashik from its source, which lies to the southwest of the city, in Trimbakeshwar. It is a rapidly developing city with a population close to 1.4 million (2006 est).[citation needed]
Nashik in History
Nasik is also important mythologically, historically, socially and culturally. Known for the temples on the banks of the Godavari, it has historically been one of the holy sites of the Hindu religion. It is one of the four cities that hosts the massive Sinhastha Kumbh Mela once every twelve years.
Ancient Nashik
Legend dictates that the name "Nasik" is derived from the Hindu epic Ramayana. During the exile of Lord Raam, Shoorpanakha the sister of the demon king Raavan tried to seduce Raam. Angered, Raam ordered Lakshman to cut off Shoorpanakha's nose (nasika/naak). According to the Raamayan, Sita was abducted by Raavan from the area called Panchavati in the Western Ghats. It is a popular religious destination within the city limits, today.
The most important historical significance is that Kumbh Mela is conducted at Nashik once every twelve years, out of 4 places in India.
The famous Infant Jesus Shrine is located at Nashik Road and hosts an annual Infant Jesus Festival.[3]
The most striking historical structure in Nashik is the Trirashmi Caves also known as the Paandav Caves. These were originally vihaars of Buddhist monks carved in stone in the mountain. There are extensive writings in Brahmi script that show that the township of Nashik supported Bhikkhu Sangha from about a century BC to about sixth century AD. One huge cave is a donation of Gautamiputra Saatkarni, the most famous king of Saatkarni dynasty. Another one is made by a Greek (Yavan) father and son who apparently become monks.
Medieval Nashik
In the past, the Moguls were fascinated by the beauty of the city and renamed it "Gulshanabad" meaning the city of gardens. Beautiful fresh flowers were sent to Aurangazeb from Gulshanabad i.e. Nashik. It was during the rule of the Peshwas, when the place was finally renamed as Nashik. During the Peshwas period, Raghobadada and his wife Anandibai settled down at 'Anandwalli' in Nashik. There are some remains of Anandibai's fort. There is also a temple called 'Navasha Ganapati' built by Anandibai.
It was during the British rule in April 1818, when Nashik once again regained its importance. The British fell in love with the beauty of the city and developed it in various fields. The golf course, developed by the British, was one of the largest in Asia. Nashik is surrounded by nine hills, namely: Durga, Ganesh, Chitraghanta, Pandav, DingerAli, Mhasarul, Jogwada, Pathanpura and Konkani. This city with hills surrounding it has lakes which add to its beauty.
Nashik during the British Rule
In 1869, the region came to enjoy unbroken peace. Nashik was made a full-fledged district with its present talukas. With the return of peace Nashik flourished into prosperity. Reasons, political, religious, and commercial, led to its rapid development. With the construction of the railway, going from Bombay to north-east, from very near the city, religious minded devotees came to be attracted to the town in increasing numbers where they made their purchases of various artistic and useful articles. This made Nashik a great trade center where artisans skilled in manufacturing utensils and smiths excelling in workmanship in silver and gold crowded to ply their trade. Already Nashik was a highly flourishing town even under later Maratha rule and some time during that period the sow car families like Barves, Vaishampayans and Gadres of the locality started their financial activity. Under Maratha rule, they advanced sums to finance military campaigns of feudal Sardars and in their later times their Pedhis gradually began to finance the flourishing trade in metalware and fabrics as well as in grapes and onions.
However, the revolutionary activities at Nashik continued. It was during this time that 'Abhinav Bharat ' was formed. The young Nashikites were influenced by the speech of Lokmanya Tilak given on the 26th of August 1906. Veer Savarkar successfully organised underground movement against the rulers. Although elaborately planned and very cautiously carried out, they came to be suddenly interrupted on account of the hot-headed, intemperate, and hasty group of young men from Aurangabad, who involved some of the weaker members of the Mitra-Mela in their plan. Of these hot-headed persons, Anant Kanhere came to Nashik and on the night of 21st December 1909 suddenly fired at Jackson, the collector of Nashik, when the latter had gone to see the drama, 'Sharada', stagd by Kirlosker Natak Mandali in the local Vijayanand theater. The collector died on the spot. This set a whole chain of government inquiry into vigorous activity, the result of which was that all those connected with underground activities in the name of Mitra-Mela, including Savarkar, who at that time had been in India, came to be arrested, tried, and sentenced to severe punishments. The people involved in the incidence, Anant LaxmanKanhere, Krishnaji Gopal Karve, and Vinayak Ramchandra Deshpande were sentenced to death. The murder of Jackson challenged the British Rule and the embers of revolution flared. In those days, Marathi songs, full of patriotic fervour, were written by various writers, prominent among whom was G.T. Darekar, popularly called 'Govind Kavi'. His poem 'Who could ever win freedom without fight?' and his prayer to God Rama, saying 'When, O Rama, wilt thou be pleased to satisfy our burning desire for freedom' became very popular.
"If Italy be free, why not India ?
If Ireland be free, why not India ?
If America be free, why not India ?"
The tempo in singing such songs in congregation is used to enliven the audience and strengthen their determination to face the struggle. Subsequently, government banned all such songs and suppressed all undrground activities with a heavy hand. The government had become very sensitive and even an utterance or display of an objectionable picture led to extreme government action.
Shri Khare, a pleader in Nashik , was accused to have said the following a few days before the murder of Jackson: "Today 4 crores of people rule over 33 crores and they have destroyed Indian industries. It is the business of the white to ruin us black people. Europeans are like the demon ghost Putana, who was fair outside but poisonous within. The time for action has come. How many of you ae ready to go to jail or to die?" Shri Khare was asked to submit a personal bond failing which the High Court recommended that his sanad should be suspended till such time that the order to furnish security continues in force Another interesting case was that of Shridhar Waman Nagarkar of Nashik who was sentenced to three years of rigorous imprisonment for drawing and publishing a picture containing a mythological representation of the slaying of demon Mahish by the Goddess Durga, framed with portrails of certain persons, notorious for sedition. The government took the view that the picture is likely to excite disaffection towards His Majesty or the government established by law in British India. Similar was the case against Devising Mohansing & Shankar Gir Hanumantgir of Nashik for publishing a seditious picture under the title 'Rashtra Purusha'. The former was sentenced to three years of rigorous imprisonment.
Some of the major events in history of Nashik are-
Nashik today Modern efforts are on to promote the growth of an export-oriented rose farming and wine industry in the district. Nashik is also deemed "the third most industrialised city of Maharashtra after Mumbai and Pune", mainly due to extensive industrial development in recent times. It is home to an important thermal power plant (Eklahare) and a National Treasury Printing Press (India Security Press at Nashik Road). There are five "Industrial Zones" in the Nashik area and its outskirts (Satpur, Ambad, Sinnar, Igatpuri and Dindori). Nashik has a number of sugar mills. It is also chief exporter of white onions and pomegranates. Many renowned Indian and MNC firms established themselves in Nashik:
Nashik is also emerging as a BPO/IT destination and is in list of the selected Tier II cities for BPO/IT companies. Recently V-TECH has been completed; companies like Datametics and WNS have presence in Nashik. Nowadays, Nasik is becoming metro as more and more malls and multiplexes are being built in the city; almost all brand outlets have a place in Nasik. Approximately 4 multiplexes are coming in the city with SRS Cinema, PVR Multiplex, Inox, etc. Nashik is also the educational hub of Northwestern Maharashtra. The Yashawatrao Chavhan Maharashtra Open University (YCMOU) is a leading open university located near Gangapur village on the west side of Nashik. Many major colleges like K.K.Wagh Institute of Engineering Education & Research, Sir Visvesvaraya Memorial COE Chincholi , Nashik District Maratha Vidya Prasarak Samaj's College of Engineering, MET College of Engineering, and MET Polytechnic dot the city. The KTHM College of Architecture is one of the best architectural colleges in Maharashtra. Mahatma Gandhi Vidhyamandir's L.V.H. College, HPT Arts, and RYK Science are among the oldest colleges in Nashik. Lately, there have been several new colleges. Gangapur Road, College Road,and Trimbak Road form the lifelines of the suburbs. For many, Nasik is just a pit-stop en route to Shirdi or Trimbakeshwar. If one decides to stop and look around the city and its outskirts, there's plenty to see. The Gangapur Dam is a beautiful site. The Dudhsagar Fall near the village of Gangapur is worth a look in the rains. A few kilometers away from Gangapur village is a Stone Age site. On the road to Trimbakeshwar is the state's only Museum of Numismatics (study of coins). Anjaneri Parvat near Trimbakeshwar is well known for waterfalls during monsoon season. Pandav Caves the 4th Century BC cave of Buddhist origin, a Bird Santury "Nandur-Madhyameshwar" popularly know as "Bharatpur of Maharashtra", which was started in 1950s, is a little ways from the city and is a mesmerizing place for nature and bird lovers. Apart from the private industry, Nashik was very popular even during the British times. There are numerous structures of the Colonial Days across the city, and there are a lot of Anglo Indian families who have settled in Nashik-Road. The most famous Government Offices at Nashik:
Areas Of Nashik
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