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History of Alibag

The great Admiral of Shivaji, Kanhoji Angre planned and executed the creation of Alibag town towards end of 17th century.
Present day Ramnath happened to be the Alibag of those days. Most land of today’s’ Alibag was then under sea. Beautiful coconut and betel-nut orchards stood on the shores. Legend has it that a wealthy Muslim named Ali owned many plantations, which gave the town the name Alibag.

Alibag is the seat of District Administration of Raigad (formerly Kolaba) district since 1852.

The name Kolaba is attributed to a sea Fort Kolaba built by Shivaji the great, in 1680 to flight the mighty naval prowess of the siddis’ (Abyssinians) of Janjira and the British of Mumbai. The later historic events vindicate the far sight of Shivaji. Some people like to call Alibag, ‘Shribag’. The town flourished under the regime of the Angres.

Eight surrounding places-Revdanda, Chaul, Nagaon. Aakshi, Varsoli, Thal, Kihim, Awas-are known traditionally as the ‘Ashtagars’ (eight fertile lands).

Among the historic battles, one was at Varsoli between Siddis and Kanhoji Angre. Another was aggression on Kolaba Fort by the English and Portuguese jointly, which they lost. Next was the battle of chaul between the British and Sakhoji Angre which Sakhoji won and held them captive in kolaba fort. The angers demonstrated their supremacy by creating their own currency ‘Alibag Rupaiah’.

In 1852, Alibag was made the district Headquarters.