Jai Vilas Palace

Jai Vilas Palace, also known as Rajbari, is one of the most prominent historical sites in Jawhar, Maharashtra. Built by Raja Yashwant Rao Mukane in the early 20th century, it served as the royal residence for the Mukane rulers of the Jawhar princely state. Built from syenite stone, the palace blends Western and Indian architectural styles and is known for its pink stone facade. It is situated on a hill, which offers panoramic views, and is surrounded by lush gardens.

Key historical aspects:

• Mukane Dynasty:
  This palace is a testament to the rich history of the Mukane Dynasty, who ruled Jawahar for centuries.  
• Architectural Style:
  It shows a blend of neoclassical architecture with Indian influences, featuring intricate carvings and a pink stone facade.  
• Historical Significance:
  It served as a royal residence and was a strategic location for the rulers, making it a convenient location.  
• Filming Location:
  The unique architecture of this palace has made it a popular location for filming films.  

Current use:According to the Maharashtra Tourism Department , it is a popular tourist destination and a place of historical attraction, attracting tourists interested in its architecture, gardens, and history.

Mukne Dynasty

The founder of Jawhar State was Jayadevarao (Jayabajiraje), a king of the Kshatriya Mahadev Koli community. In the 14th century, Jayabajiraje Mukane first established this state. And the Mukane dynasty ruled over this state for almost 600 years. After that, in 1947, Yashwantrao Mukane merged the Jawhar State with India.

History

Jayabaji Rao Mukane, the first ruler of the Mukane dynasty, built the Mahalaxmi Temple in Dahanu.

Jayabaji Rao's son, Nemshah Mukne, conquered as many as 22 forts and expanded his empire. As a result, on 5 June 1343, the then Sultan of Delhi, Muhammad bin Tughlaq, honored Maharaj Nemshah with the title of Shah and granted him the status of an independent state for the first time.[3] After that, Nemshah's grandson, Maharaja Devbarrao Mukne, fought against Sultan Ahmad Shah (Allauddin) of the Bahamani Sultanate at the fort of Bahmani Vidar. Upon learning of the war, he fell in love with the princess of the Bahamani Sultanate and married her and returned to Jawhar.

Rulers of the Mukane dynasty

The following is the list of Maharajas of the Mukane dynasty who ruled over the Jawhar state.

1) Srimant Jayabaji Rao Mukane (1316-1337 AD)

2) Srimant Dhulabarao alias Nemshah Mukne (1337-1388 AD)

3)Srimant Bhimrao alias Bhimshaha Mukane (1388-1429 AD)

4)Srimant Devbarao alias Muhammad Shah Mukane (1429-1492 AD)

5)Srimant Krishnarao Mukane I (1492-1560 AD)

6) Srimant Nemshah Mukane II (1560-1630 AD)

7) Srimant Vikram Shah Mukane I (1630-1678 AD)

8) Srimant Patangshah Mukane I (1678-1694 AD)

9) Shrimant Krishna Shah Mukane II (1694-1710)

10) Shrimant Vikram Shah Mukane II (1710-1742)

11) Shrimant Krishna Shah Mukane III (1742-1758)

12)Srimant Gangadharrao alias Patangshaha II (1758-1798 AD)

13) Shrimant Malojirao alias Vikram Shah III (1798-1821)

14) Shrimant Hanumanta Rao alias Patangshah III (1821-1865)

15)Srimant Narayanrao alias Madhavrao alias Vikramshaha IV (1865-1865)

16) Shrimant Malharrao alias Patangshah IV (1865-1905)

17) Shrimant Ganapatrao alias Krishnashaha IV (1905-1917)

18) Shrimant Martandrao alias Vikram Shah V (1918-1927)

19) Srimant Yashwantrao Martandrao Mukne alias Patangshaha VI (1927-1978)

20) Shriman Digvijay Singh Mukane (1978-1992)

21)Shrimant Mahendrasinh Raje Mukane (1992)……….

Shirpamal

Shirpa Mal is a tourist destination on the Jawhar Nashik Road in Dharampur Padya, near Jawhar city, Maharashtra, India. 

Shivaji Maharaj marched to Surat with the Maratha army. He camped near the state of Jawhar and met Vikramshah Mukne, the Koli ruler of Jawhar. Together they attacked Surat. Shirpa Mal was the meeting place of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Vikramshah and has since become a historical monument. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj visited Shirpa Mal in Jawhar on 31 December 1664. On 1 May 1995, the Chairman of Jawhar Municipal Council, Rajaram Mukne, erected a memorial of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at this place to commemorate this historical moment.

Vijay Stambh, Jawhar

Vijay Stambh in Jawhar is an important historical and tourist spot in Jawhar city. This pillar bears witness to the history of Jawhar. 

Jawhar,Vijay Stambh -

• Historical Importance:

An important part of the history of Jawahar is the Vijay Stambh. This pillar was built by the rulers of the Mukane dynasty.

• Construction:

This pillar is strong and beautifully constructed. Local architecture has been used in its construction.

• Sightseeing Place:

The Victory Column attracts tourists. The area around it is peaceful and scenic.

Bhupatgad Fort

Bhupatgad Fort is a fort near Jawhar in the Indian state of Maharashtra. This fort is located 16 kilometers from Jawhar. Bhupatgad Fort was probably built to guard the ancient trade route from Trimbak to Jawhar.

•  Bhupatgad Fort was the first capital of the Jawhar kingdom. Therefore, this fort has seen royal glory for a long time. Jawhar State is in Thane district and there are many ways to reach there, out of which two routes are popular. One is the Kalyan-Kasara-Vihigaon-Mokhada-Jawhar route, and the other is the Kalyan-Bhiwandi-Wada-Vikramgad-Jawhar route from Thane district. There is also a route through Kurlot village in Thane district to reach Bhupat. However, this route is steep.
• From Jawhar, one reaches the village of Jhap, 16 kilometers away, after passing small tribal villages like Chothyacha Pada, Kelicha Pada, and Pawarpada. There is also an arrangement of ST trains from Jawhar to Jhap every hour. The specialty of Bhupatgad is that one does not realize that there is a fort here until one gets very close to it. The mountain formations in the Jawhar area are very complex; none of the mountains here have a shape that can be clearly shown. Therefore, there is no other option than to ask for the direction of Chinchpada, located at the foot of Bhupatgad, from Jhap and go to the fort. A dirt road has been prepared from Chinchpada to the first plateau of Bhupatgad, and a flag has been placed here. There are steps carved in stone next to the flag. Local villagers traditionally call these steps 'Sita's steps'.

• From this plateau, which is called 'Sita's Footsteps', one can see the Bhupatgad fort, which is covered in dense forest. The steep path leading towards its top is also visible, and in just twenty minutes, one can reach the top of the fort through the fallen ramparts of Bhupatgad. Once you step on the top of the fort, if you take the path to the right, you will see the remains of the ruined gate of the fort. Here, the steps leading to the top of the fort are visible. This is the main entrance to the fort, and it is currently in a dilapidated state.
• There is a group of twin tanks on the southern plateau of Bhupatgad, and a wall is also seen built to block the water. There is a lake just below these tanks, and a wall is also seen on its banks to block the water. However, the water of this lake is not drinkable, but the water of only one tank in the tank group is drinkable. Except for a few ramparts on the southern edge of Bhupat, there are no remains left.
• If the air is clear, the Trimbak range to the north can be seen from the top of Bhupatgad. At the end of the rainy season, it is finally possible to see the appearance of this Bhupatgad and the surrounding sky. The Bhupat plateau adorned with Sonki flowers (Senecio grahamii, Graham's groundsel) and the vast landscape of the Pinjal river valley visible from its top, the Suryamal plateau, and the Khodala region are a feast for the eyes.