Dombivli

Introduction

Dombivli, the most happening town in the central suburbs. Densely populated city with an average population of 1193000 (2001 Census).

Dombivli History

There are many reference found about the existing of Dombivli since 13 Century or even before that. Some of them are:

  • In the year 1075, King Harpal Dev had referred to Dombivli on the stone inscriptions, which was situated in Mahul village, near the Turbhe Port. From this, we come to know that Dombivli village existed approximately 800 years ago.
  • There is a also a reference given for Dombivli in the year 1730 during the Peshwa Rule.
  • The stone writings present at the Gaodevi Mandir, referring to its existence in the years 1396-97 is a proof of the great heritage of Dombivli.
  • The Portuguese stationed themselves at several places when they came to Dombivli.
  • The stone inscriptions that existed in the year 1300 B.C. at “Agasan” have been preserved in the Museum even today.

Dombivli Railway Station:

Dombivli Station comes under Central Railway and is a 23 suburb from Mumbai Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus (Mumbai C.S.T.). It is 48 KM from Mumbai C.S.T. and has Mean Sea Level (M.S.L.) of 15m. There are total 5 platforms with 3 bridges. The Mumbai C.S.T-Side bridge is a public bridge while the middle and the Kalyan-Side bridge are for valid ticket holders only.

Dombivli Railway Station was set-up in the year 1887. There was only one tall cabin, which was used for ticketing as well as signaling. Initially the Railway Tickets to Dombivli” was stamped as “Dimali”. Efforts were also made to rename it as “Subhash Nagar”.

Dombivli Topology

Dombivli is located in Thane District and is a part of Kalyan Taluka making a Corporation city. The city is administered by Kalyan-Dombivli Mahanagar Palika (K. D. M. C.)In the 19th Century farmers cultivated Paddy and sold it in the areas from Kalyan to Mumbai.

In the past, within Dombivli also, the areas were named on the basis of the inhabitants, e.g., the areas where the THAKURS” (Tribal) lived was called “THAKURLI”. The areas where the “PATHARWATS” or “STONE-CUTTERS” lived were known as “PATHARLI” and the area where the “DOMBAS” or the (low caste) lived was called “DOMBIVLI”. The area Diva, Ghariwali, Agasan was the neighboring village since ancient times.

Topologically Dombivli was surrounded by the ruins of the following villages:

  • To the East the CHOLE village.
  • To the West is the Airey(Aayre) village.
  • To the South is the Patharli village.
  • And to the North is the Thakurli village.

Dombivli Education

Dombivli had the honor of becoming the first fully “literate” town in the whole of Asia (till very recently, Now a town in Kerala has taken over). Over Hundred schools offer Primary and Secondary education and over dozens are affiliated to the University of Mumbai. A Couple of the colleges also offer Technical Education and are affiliated to the Board of Technical Education, Mumbai. There are Engineering, Pharmacy, Arts, Commerce, Science colleges in Dombivli. With numerous Big and Small Private Institutes offering Diplomas in Computer Applications and Short term courses, the town contributes to the ever demanding technical knowledge in the field of Information technology. One really needs to take a walk across the street and everything is available… From Electronic items to Match Sticks and from Fashion accessory to the Music Instruments, Name it and you don’t have to travel all the way to Mumbai for the same. Dombivli’s education has made all this happen.