DHULE

In ancient times, the region of Khandesh (now part of Maharashtra) was ruled by the Yadav dynasty. The Yadavs were known for their kind and fair leadership. Khandesh was surrounded by other ancient regions such as the Berar (ancient Vidarbha) to the east, the Nemad district (ancient Anupa) to the north, and Aurangabad  (ancient Mulaka) and Bhir (ancient Asmaka) to the south. Despite being bordered by these areas, the Yadavs were able to keep Khandesh stable and prosperous for many years.

Among the famous characters of this age was Asa, a wealthy and influential Ahir chief who had built a formidable fort at Asirgad. Asa was known for his giving attitude, and he opened his granaries to feed the impoverished and afflicted. However, the peace in the region was destroyed when Malik Nasir, Malik Raja's elder son, set his sights on Asirgad. Malik Nasir, a cunning and ruthless man, planned a strategy to conquer the fortress. He wrote to Asa, pretending despair and asking for a safe harbour for his family. Asa pleasantly welcomed Malik Nasir's family, only to be betrayed. Instead of women, Malik Nasir's litters were filled with armed troops who brutally massacred Asa and his innocent sons. Malik Nasir then constructed two cities on the banks of the Tapi River: Zainabad to the east and Burhanpur to the west. Burhanpur became the capital of the Faruqi dynasty, which ruled the province for centuries.

The region's affairs continued to shift as Khandesh came under the jurisdiction of the powerful Mughal emperor Akbar, who renamed it "Dandes" after his son, Daniyal. In the nineteenth century, Captain Briggs, the first political agent, became interested in the little village of Dhulia, which was divided into three sections: Old Dhulia, Devpur, and Moglai. Recognising Dhulia's strategic importance and commercial potential, Captain Briggs invited traders and artisans from Burhanpur and other places to help convert the town into a bustling centre of trade and industry. He established three offices, laying the groundwork for the city's future development.

Dhulia, known today as Dhule, changed through the centuries, influenced by the rise and fall of many kingdoms and emperors. It became the headquarters of the West Khandesh district before becoming a part of Maharashtra state. The district was later separated into Dhule and Nandurbar, each having its distinct history and character.

The Dhule district in the Maharashtra region of Khandesh is believed to hold a divine significance to Bhagwaan Krishna.

During ancient times, this land was recognized as a fertile agricultural domain, evident in references found in the mythological tales of Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Sudeshkumar Charitra. It was during the Yadava’s period, it took on the name Seunadesha, linked to Seunchandra (c. 880-900), the successor of Dridpahara. The Mahabharata's Bhishma Parva mentions various regions like Gomta, Mandaka, Kharda, Vidarbh, and Rupvahika. Historically, the term "Kharda'' appears to signify Khandesh. However, some historians propose that Khandesh was previously known as Kanhadesh, associated with the realm of Krishna. An alternative story suggests that the title "Khan" was granted to Farooqi Raj Malik II of Thalanar in Shirpur taluka by Sultan Ahmad I of Gujarat, resulting in the region's renaming to Khandesh.

Within this very Khandesh, Shirpur of the Dhule district is steeped in antiquity. It also narrates the origin of Shirpur's name. In ancient times, a devout man named Kalubaba worshipped Shri Khanderao Maharaj fervently. Despite being a family man, Kalubaba longed for children and made a pledge to Shri Khandoba, vowing to offer his head. Fulfilling his vow, he was blessed with a son. Legend has it that during the offering of shirkamal at the feet of Shri Khanderao Maharaj, a miraculous event occurred: the Bhandara (turmeric) overflowed, yet no blood emerged. Hence, the city was named Shirpur.

Amali, a village with a population of 921 in 1961, is primarily an agricultural settlement situated in the Sakri taluka. The village is renowned for its mandir dedicated to Vishnu, also known as Kanhaiyalal Maharaj. The legend narrates that Raja Makardhvaja of Mulher visited the famous devta in Dakor, near the port Okha. In a dream, the devta appeared to the Raja and requested to be taken to Mulher. The devta placed a condition that the palanquin carrying it should not be set down anywhere during the journey. The Raja enlisted Bhois to carry the palanquin, and as they traversed through the jungles, they reached a river near Amali. While taking a dip in the river, they inadvertently placed the palanquin on a pipal tree, which caused it to stick. Despite their efforts, the palanquin couldn't be moved, and they had to abandon it. After a while, the devta approached a poor villager named Pavba Bhagat and instructed him to build a small mandir. The devta assured Pavba that he would find the necessary wealth beneath the building stones. Pavba accepted the task, and true to the devta's words, he discovered the resources he needed.

With the assistance of villagers, the murthi was ceremoniously installed. This mandir, called Kanhaiyalal mandir, is enclosed by a compound wall and approached by around thirty well-crafted steps. Within the compound, eight smaller mandirs house various devtas, and there are also two old dharmashalas. The central mandir is constructed using black stone and measures 0.929 square meters (10 ft. square), featuring a reclining murthi of Sheshashai (Vishnu) under a Shikhar. The interior of the mandir is adorned with intricate paintings and carvings of devtas and animals. The entrance is guarded by two sculptures, and the devta is believed to fulfill the cherished desires of his bhakts. A fair, attended by thousands, is held in honor of the devta on Kartik Shuddha Ekadashi.

In another version of events surrounding the Kanahaiyalal Mandir, it is believed that Kanhaiyalal Maharaj's story began centuries ago when the village experienced a severe drought. The crops withered, and the population struggled. In desperation, farmers prayed to the devtas for help. Kanhaiyalal Maharaj, an incarnation of Vishnu, appeared to them in a vision.

Kanhaiyalal Maharaj, using his supernatural abilities, brought forth a bounty of rain and lush land, returning the community to its former glory. The villagers, grateful for his help, built a mandir in his honour. The mandir became a representation of optimism and wealth, attracting worshippers from all around. The locals believed that Kanhaiyalal Maharaj's blessings could heal illnesses, increase soil fertility, and even offer good fortune to those who sought his advice.

In one instance, Ramesh and Priya, a young couple, went to the mandir one day to ask Kanhaiyalal Maharaj for his blessings on their barren land. They had tried every treatment, but their crops continued to wither. The mandir pujari, Shriji, a wise and gentle man, listened to their narrative and encouraged them to undertake a special puja, a devotional and prayer ceremony. Ramesh and Priya followed the pujari's directions and performed the puja with passion and trust. As they moved, they sensed an odd energy flowing from the mandir, as if Kanhaiyalal Maharaj was present among them. The next day, they returned to their field to discover that the crops had miraculously begun to grow and the soil was once more productive. Word of the miracle spread quickly, and people from all over the region began going to the mandir to seek the blessings of Kanhaiyalal Maharaj.

Janardhan Sakharam Vispute was born in 1914 in Ner Dondaicha, Dhule District. He grew up with a love of study and sports. As a teacher, he urged his students to attend Dhule's exercise school for national education and physical activity. His commitment to physical education won him a diploma in 1936.

Janardhan once had the honour of sharing a coach with Mahatma Gandhi while travelling from Surat to Bhusawal. Gandhi advised him to boycott foreign goods, and Janardhan was moved by the great leader's remarks. He also met Balubhai Mehta and worked as a clerk for Ghanshyam Laxmidas, a Gujarati lawyer.

Janardhan's role in the independence movement began in 1938 when he attended a Congress session in Haripur. He was impressed by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru's address and volunteered at the Pat endowment, which was presided over by Subhas Chandra Bose. Janardhan's father died in 1940, and he joined Vakil the following year. He actively engaged in the 1942 Chale Jaa (Quit India) agitation, alongside his brother Govind Chowdhury and other Congress supporters. During the campaign, he participated in many underground movements, preparing and distributing anti-British periodicals in communities.

Janardhan's bravery and dedication to the cause gained him recognition as one of India's admired independence fighters. Sharad Pawar, the then Chief Minister of Maharashtra, honoured him on March 2, 1995, for his contributions to the Indian freedom struggle.

In the scorching sun of the Mumbai summer, an 84-year-old farmer from Dhule, Maharashtra, made a desperate attempt to raise awareness about his condition. Dharma Patil, a feeble and worn-out man, had travelled to the Maharashtra Mantralaya, the state secretariat, to meet with the Chief Minister and other top ministers. His objective was to seek justice and fair recompense for his land, which had been acquired for a solar-generating plant.

Patil had fought for years to receive a fair settlement from the government. His five acres of land, which had been in his family for centuries, were taken away without adequate recompensation. He received only ₹4 lakh, far less than the value of his land.

Patil's frustration grew as he waited outside the Mantralaya. He drank poison in a frantic attempt to bring attention to his condition. His son, Narendra, was by his side and took him to the nearby St. George Hospital. Despite the medical team's best efforts, Patil's health deteriorated, and he died of acute kidney failure. Patil's death caused shockwaves across the state. The opposition parties, including the Congress and the NCP, condemned the government for the farmer's death. They accused the government of ignoring the farmers' concerns and enacting anti-farmer policies. The government was forced to take note of the farmers' situation. A retired judge was assigned to investigate the circumstances surrounding Patil's death, and the government pledged to revise its laws and provide fairer compensation to farmers. The incident served as a sharp reminder of farmers' problems in Maharashtra, as well as the importance of the government listening to their concerns.

Ravi lived in Anakwadi, a small village in Dhule, Maharashtra. He was known for his hard work and dedication as he tended to his family's farms. One day, while working in the fields, Ravi stumbled upon an unusual object buried in the soil: a glittering golden ring.

Intrigued, Ravi placed the ring on his finger. To his surprise, a surge of energy flowed through his veins. Suddenly, he could command the elements, summon fire with a single thought, and even manipulate the thoughts of people around him. Ravi was intoxicated by the power the ring had bestowed upon him.

At first, Ravi used his newfound talents to help the residents of Anakwadi. He increased crop yields, provided clean water to the neighborhood, and even built a new school for the children. The villagers expressed gratitude and praised Ravi as a kind and benevolent leader.

However, Ravi's craving for power became obsessive over time. He began to harness the ring's magic for his own selfish purposes, exploiting the people and accumulating wealth and authority. He became cruel, ruling over Anakwadi with an iron grip, and anyone who dared to oppose him was punished harshly and mercilessly.

The once-prosperous village quickly fell into ruin. The crops withered, the water supply became polluted, and the villagers lived in fear of Ravi's fury. Ravi realized the true nature of the ring he possessed: it was cursed, and its power was gradually corrupting him, turning him into a rakshas.

Desperate to overcome the curse, Ravi sought the advice of a knowledgeable old sadhu who resided in the surrounding mountains. The sadhu advised him that the only way to escape the curse was to give up the ring and accept responsibility for the evil he had caused.

Filled with regret, Ravi returned to Anakwadi and admitted his wrongdoings to the villagers. He then took the ring and threw it into the depths of a neighboring lake, ending the curse forever. The villagers, now free of Ravi's oppression, welcomed him back with open arms and worked together to reconstruct their once-thriving community.

The story serves as an important lesson, reminding us of the value of responsibility and the consequences of unchecked authority. It highlights the corrupting influence of power and the importance of self-reflection and accountability.