Thalner

Thalner (Thaleshwar)
Dhule district,Maharashtra
Thalner Fort
Thalner (Thaleshwar)
Coordinates	21.255°N 74.955°E/21.255; 74.955
Site information
Owner	Government of India
Open to the public	Yes
Condition	dilapidated
Site history
Built	1128
Built by	Ahirs,Malik Raja Faruqi
Materials	Stone, lime and lead
Events	Battle of Thalner (1818)
Garrison information
Occupants	Ahirs,Faruqis,Holkars,British

Thalneris an Shirpur Tahsil's Village, the first capital of theFaruqikings, stands on the banks of theTapiriver, inShirpurtehsil about 46.67 km. (28 miles) north-east ofDhuleinMaharashtrastate, India. It was fortified and played a significant role in the history ofKhandesh.At the foot of the fort is an old stone temple dedicated to Thaleshwar. The nameThalnerprobably derived from this temple. The capital was once a significant commercial centre.

Thalner fort

The fort had one side rising out of theTapiand the three other sides were surrounded by a hollow way, varying in width from 91.44 to 137.16 metres (100 to 150 yards). The walls rose to the height of about 18.28 metres (60 ft.) above this hollow and the interior had the same elevation. The only entrance was on the eastern side, secured by five successive gates communicating by intricate traverses, whose enclosure gradually rose to the height of the main wall. A winding ramp, interspersed in some places with steps, ascended through the gate into the terreplein of the rampart. Great ingenuity had been exercised to make this part as strong as possible, apparently under the idea that the profile of the rest rendered it secure, notwithstanding the absence of a ditch.

Today only a small portion of the walls that were on the river side is standing, the others having collapsed for the most part. Even of this wall one of the bastions was ruined by the great floods of the Tapi which took place in 1876, and a tunnel opened in which a small, well executed idol ofVishnuwas found.

Situated on the banks of the Tapi and the foot of the fort is an old stone built temple dedicated to Thaleshwar. Its 1.828 X 1.828 metre vestibule contains a smalllingsymbol. It is crowned by a 7.62 metre (25 ft.) highshikhar.

History

According to a local grant, in 1128, while the country for 32.18 km (20 miles) around was ' without a light', and twenty-seven of its forts were deserted, Thalner prospered under Javaji and Govaji of the Tale sub-division ofGavali rajasor theAbhira kings.At that time, Daulatrao, son of Bajirao ofDaulatabadcame to the people ofKhandesh,and finding Thalner flourishing established Javaji's family as headmen of the town.

In 1370, whenFirozshah Tughluq(1351–1388) grantedMalik Raja Faruqian estate on the south border ofGujarat,Malik chose Thalner as his headquarters. In 1371, defeated by the Gujarat king, Malik was forced to take refuge in Thalner fort. On his death in 1399 Malik left Thalner to his second son Iftikar Khan. But in 1417 with the aid of the Sultan ofMalwa,Nasir Khan, the elder son, wrested it from his brother. In 1498 Thalner was invaded byMahmud Begada,king of Gujarat, whose army laid waste the district and would not retire till arrears of tribute were paid. In 1511 Mahmud Begada granted Thalner with about one-half of Khandesh to Malik Hissamuddin, a noble of his court. But in the next year, Hissamuddin was murdered and Thalner was restored to Khandesh. In 1566 it was the scene of the defeat of the Khandesh kingMiran Muhammad Shah IIby Changiz Khan of Gujarat. In 1600, when it passed to EmperorAkbar,Thalner was noticed as being of great strength though in a plain. In 1660Taverniermentioned it as one of the places of trade on theSuratandBurhanpurline.

In 1750 it was a strong fort, the centre of thirty-two little governments. Shortly after this, it passed to thePeshwa,and was by him made over toHolkar,who, around 1800, pledged it to theNimbalkars.It was recovered the following year and kept by the Holkar family until in 1818, under the terms of theMandesartreaty, it was handed over to theBritish.

Battle of Thalner, 1818

Sindvawas a place with a much greater name for strength in the Khandesh region, but it surrendered to the British at once, hence no resistance was expected at Thalner. However, its capture proved to be one of the bloodiest incidents in the conquest of Khandesh.

• 
  Plan of the assault of the fort of Thalner, 27 February 1818
  Kalakriti Archives
• 
  Plan and section elevation of Thalner's gates, 27 February 1818
• 
  Lt Col Murray withstands his adversaries. Artist:William Heath
  British Museum
• 
  Capt M‘Craith drags Lt Col Murray clear of the wicket whilst warding off blows with his sword.
• 
  Tombs of British officers killed in the battle, 2017

Present condition

The fort of Thalner is in a dilapidated condition. Besides the tombs of Major MacGregor and Captain Gordon, the chief objects of interest are tenMuhammedandomed tombs of common country black stone and two of burnt brick. Of the whole number, one is eight cornered and the rest are square. They vary in size from eleven feet by eleven to three and a half feet square. Though more or less damaged outwardly and with the inside part of their domes partly destroyed, they are in good order. The eight-cornered tomb has some Arabic writing, but so worn as to be unreadable.

Tourist attractions

In Thalner there are two temples, one dedicated to Mahadeva and the other to Khandoba's Temple. The Mahadeva temple is located at Tapi riverside, and Khandoba temple is located near the Thalner bus stand.

Notable personalities

Lata Mangeshkar's mother, affectionately called 'Mai', was from Thalner. She was the daughter of Seth Haridas Ramdas Lad, a prosperous businessman of the town.

References

• "Dhulia".The Gazetteers Department of Maharashtra.