Chiplun ( [t͡ʃipɭuːɳ]) is a city in Ratnagiri district in the state of Maharashtra, India. It is one of the financial and commercial Hubs of Ratnagiri district, and the headquarters of Chiplun taluka. It is about 250 km south of Mumbai and 90 km North of Ratnagiri in the Konkan region of Maharashtra, on the Mumbai–Goa highway (NH-66). It has a long history and a strong cultural background. Recent decades have seen much industrial development in it and its and surrounding areas.
Geography
The city lies near the source of the Vashishti river. To the east of the city lie the Western Ghats and to the west lies Guhagar taluka which was carved out of Chiplun taluka. The region has a tropical climate. The 'rainy season' — the monsoon lasts normally from June until October. The Koyna Hydroelectric Power Project Stages III and IV are situated near Chiplun.
Religious significance
Chiplun was believed to have the first home of the Konkanasth or Chitpavan Brahmans. According to local folklore, after claiming Konkan region from the aggressive sea, people were supplied with sixty ponds and sixty gardens by Parashurama, the sixth incarnation of the Hindu god Vishnu. Parashurama is believed to be the founder and creator of the Chitpavan Brahman community.
History
Chiplun was initially ruled by the Satavahanas, Shakas, Kshatrapas, Kalachuris, Chalukya, and Rashtrakutas. Later it was ruled by the Kadambas & Traikutas followed by the Delhi Sultanate, Marathas and Peshwas majorly.
Ancient history
Ancient texts mention Chiplun as a port. During the rule of the Chalukya in 8th century, the place was called Chiprarulana. An inscription called Chiplun stone which has a date of 1186 CE had the names of a Shilahara king and his ministers.
Islamic era
In the seventeenth century it was a great village, very populous and plentifully stored with all provisions. The nearby Gowalkot was the trade center being the major harbour over Vashishthi River. The Paag area in town was named so because it was mainly used for war horse stables. The central area in Chiplun, called Markandi, is believed to have taken name from the Yadnya performed there by Maharshi Markandeya.
Maratha empire
In the recent history, when Shivaji took over Konkan and established his reign, he won the Gowalkot fort in 1660 and renamed it as Govindagad. During the times of Maratha Empire Chiplun was halting place when travelling towards upper ghat regions of Satara. Shivaji came to Gowalkoat fort in Chiplun to take an update of his Arm forces before going for his coronation at Raigad.
Chiplun was taken over later on by means of fort battles including Sambhaji, Tulaji Angre, Chimaji Appa, and Siddi Sat, before taken up by a body of Ramoshis in 1818, but abandoned on the approach of British forces.
During this time Peshwa Bajirao II, who for some years (1812-1815) came down the Kumbharli pass to visit his palace at Guhagar near Dabhol, built a rest house for himself which is now used as a Government office.
British colonial rule
The British colonial rule (1818-1947) saw large seasonal or permanent migration of people to the emerging Industrial city of Mumbai from Chiplun and other areas of Northern Konkan.
Demographics
At the 2011 India census, Chiplun had a population of 55,139 of which 27,355 are males while 27,784 are females as per the report released by Census India 2011. Literacy rate of Chiplun city is 93.92%, higher than the state average of 82.34%. In Chiplun, male literacy is around 96.50%, while female literacy is at 91.42%.
Attractions
The Lokamanya Tilak Smarak Vachan Mandir library and Museum
The 155-year-old library in Chiplun called Lokmanya Tilak Smarak Vachan Mandir with a large collection of rare books added a museum in November 2018 to display its collection of ancient artifacts. This includes Stone Age tools, artifacts from Harappan culture, pottery of ancient Jorwe and Malwa cultures from Inamgaon excavation near Pune, articles from Maratha empire era and ancient statues of many gods and goddess discovered in the area. The museum also has a collection of coins ranging from Roman era to that of Maratha states.
Akkalkot Swami Math
This Hindu hermitage or Math dedicated to Shri Swami Samartha was established by Shri Gopalbuva Kelkar alias Shri Preetinand Swamikumar Maharaj who authored a book about miracles done by Shri Swami Samartha. The Math showcases Swami Samartha's silver slippers and wooden dand (meditation arm-rest).