Dabhol

A view of Dabul from "De Zee En Land-Caarten en Gizigeten van steeden en landvertooningen van oost-indien," published by the Van Keulen family, 1752,

Dabhol, also known as Dabul (Marathi: दाभोळ), is a small seaport town in the Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra in India. •

History

Hardly a trace remains of the once-flourishing port of Dabhol (known as Dabul by the Portuguese and then the English), on the north bank of the mouth of the Vashishti River in the Konkan region of India.

In the 15th and 16th centuries, Dabul was an opulent Muslim trade center, first under the Bahmani, later under the Adilshahi sultans of Bijapur. As the port with most convenient access to the Bahmani sultanate's capital at Bidar, Dabul's fortunes ascended quickly with that dynasty. At its height, it was arguably the most important port between Chaul and Goa.

It was exactly the prominence of Dabul as a Muslim trade center and port that led it to be bombarded, sacked and razed by a Portuguese expeditionary force under Francisco de Almeida in December, 1508, in a prelude to the famous Battle of Diu. Although the city's fort was not taken, it was only the first of several times, in the course of the next few decades, that the Portuguese tried to destroy Dabul. By the time of the last recorded attack, in 1571, there was little left to sack.

A view of a very old mosque (Shahi Masjid) near the Dabhol Port built in Adilshah's regime.

The break-up of the Bahmani state into several smaller Deccan sultanates had accelerated Dabul's decline. As new capitals for these statelets were erected, Dabul's geographic position was no longer as fortuitous as it had been before, and alternative, more convenient ports were cultivated. In the course of the 16th century, a lot of commerce was redirected away from Dabul and towards the rising new port of Rajapur further south.

A view of a very old mosque near the Graveyard at Dabhol.

The Dabhol port boasts of centuries old history. Dabhol was of great importance in the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries. It used to be the principal port of South Konkan region, carrying on trade with ports in the Mediterranean, the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf. During 13th to 15th centuries this port was ruled by the Bahamani dynasty and was known as Mustafabad. Later on it was Hamjabad and then it was Dabhol.

You can find many religious places of Hindus and Muslims. There is a fine mosque called Shahi Masjid with dome and minarets standing close to the port which was built in Adilshah’s Regime by Aisha Bibi in 1659-60 and the builder name was Kamil Khan. It is said that Adilshah’s Begum spent around 1.5 million rupees in Indian currency for the construction of this mosque. Shahi Masjid is an excellent example of Muslim architecture. Dabhol was previously very famous, but of late much ruined by the Wars, and decreased in trade.

Dabul was conquered by Shivaji around 1660 and annexed to the new Maratha kingdom. The erection of the Maratha fort of Anjnavel right across the river eclipsed whatever role remained for Dabul, and the once-great port city simply evaporated and disappeared from the maps.

Attempts to locate the historic port have sometimes led historians to mistakenly identify historic Dabul with modern Dapoli, an interior town several miles north of Dabhol.

Sadly, Dabhol's name was revived in the 1990s in association with the notorious Dabhol Power Station erected near the site by the Enron company.

The ferry boat at Dabhol that can carry vehicles to the otherside of the creek. Locals call it as Jungle Jetty.

Places Of Interest

Chandika Devi Mandir - Temple of Goddess Chandika, situated in an underground cave. The temple is believed to be a part situated in ancient Dabhol fort. Remains of the fort wall can traced at the entrance of temple premises.

Dabhol Jetty (Dhakka) - Until 80's this jetty was being used by boat service from Mumbai. Now the same is being used by fishing boats & for ferry services between Dabhol - Veldur, Dabhol-Govalkot.

Shahi Mosque - Also locally known as 'Anda Masjid'. A beautiful mosque built in dressed black trap stone. The mosque was built in 1659 by Ayesh Bibi, princess of Bijapur. The Mosque is classified as heritage building by archeological department. Shahi Masjid, one of the oldest masjid in Kokan region, built by a Bijapur princess Aisha Bibi, and the builder name was Kamil Khan. The masjid was built in A.H. 1070 (1659-60 A.D)

People

Dabhol is broadly divided into three parts i.e. Bhandarwada, Bajarpeth & Varcha Mohalla. The Interior of Varcha Mohalla is further divided into many Mahullas (groups of families), Such as Bamne Mahulla, Vankar Mahulla, Tamdi Mahulla, etc. The Bamne's are believed to be the Bahamani people. Over a period of time name changed from Bahamani to Bamne. It has mix population of Hindus & Muslims. People live a very simple life, with majority of them having occupations like fishing, supply of Alphonso Mangoes, Coconuts, Cashew Nuts, etc. As of now 2012, it has good population. Nowadays due to proper job openings from Companies like Bharati Shipyard, the living standard has risen significantly.

How to reach Dabhol

Dabhol is situated around 27 km from Dapoli. State Transport (ST) buses / private shared jeeps, rickshaws run between Dapoli and Dabhol. You can hire an auto rickshaw or drive down. Rented jeeps / cars are available. One can reach Dabhol through Ferry boat service from Dhopave, village across the creek which has connectivity to Guhaghar & Chiplun.

Directions from Dapoli to Dabhol:

• From Dapoli Bus Stand, take the second left at 'Kelaskar Naka' towards Dabhol
• Continue on the straight road to Dabhol

(Road Route: Dapoli – Kelaskar Naka – Jalgaon – Nante – Vanaushi – Dabhol)

Sources

• Dames, M.L. (1918) "Introduction" in An Account Of The Countries Bordering On The Indian Ocean And Their Inhabitants, Vol. 1 (Engl. transl. of Livro de Duarte de Barbosa), 2005 reprint, New Delhi: Asian Education Services.

• Nairne, A.K. (1873), "Musalman Remains in the South Konkan", The Indian Antiquary, Vol. 2, p. 278-83 article