To the layman, Thane’s sole claim to fame is the fact that the first Railway train ran between Thane and Bombay on April 16, 1853. However, the city’s link to history is not so tenuous and dates back to antiquity. 

Throughout recorded history the city has left its mark under various names. However, it’s present-day name is said to be derived from Sthan or Sthanaka, the capital of the Shilahara kings of Konkan. 

The earliest evidence of Thane appears in the works of the Greek geographer, Ptolemy, who, in his writings (135 – 150 AD) refers to a place called Chersonesus, which, according to researchers, is the area around Thane creek. 

The city crops up again in the Middle Ages and slabs and copper plates dating back to the period have been discovered in Thane. One of them, dug up from the foundations of Thane Fort in 1787, dated 1078 AD, is apparently a land grant from Arikesara Devaraja, sovereign of the city of Tagara, wherein he address the inhabitants of a city called Sri Sthanaka. 

The great Venetian traveller Marco Polo, too, in the course of his wandering set foot in Thane in 1290 AD. He describes the city as a great kingdom, which apparently had a well-developed port, for he mentions a continuos traffic of ships, and merchants trading and exporting leather, buckram, cotton, and importing horses. In fact, the present day Ghodbunder is said to be the site where horses were unloaded from ships. 

Friar Jordanus, a great traveller, who visited the city between AD 1321 and 1324, describes it as being under a Muslim governor. He leaves a detailed sketch of early Christians in Thane and refers to the martyrdom of four Christian priests in the region, more than 200 years before the Portuguese ever set foot in India. 

The celebrated Ibn Batuta and Abul Feda, contemporaries of Friar Jordanus, also came here. They refer to Thane as Kukin Tana and speak of its fame as a port from which ships sailed to the gulf carrying a kind of cloth called ‘Tanasi’ which was produced in Thane. Duarte Barbosa, a noted traveller, described Thane by the name Tana Mayambu 25 years before the portuguese conquest. He paints a vivid picture of the town as one of Moorish mosques and temples, with many pleasant gardens. 

The Portuguese came to Thane about 1530 and ruled for over 200 years till 1739. Thane was then known as Cacabe de Tana. Work on the Thane Fort began in 1730. 

The Marathas, who conquered Bassein and Thane in 1737 and 1739, held sway over the region till 1784, when the British captured the Fort and ruled Thane, then also called Tanna. They made it the headquarters of the district administration with a district collector stationed in Thane. The Thane Municipal Council was formed in 1863 when the city had a population of 9000 souls. 

After independence, Thane grew slowly and attained the status of an industrial town in the 60’s and 70’s. There was also a corresponding growth in trade, transport and construction activities, which picked up tremendously in the 80’s. The 90’s has seen the city burgeoning ahead, with great stride in construction and housing. The population has also increased manifold and Thane now occupies pride of place as a prime suburb and is all set to make its mark in the next millennium. 

Thane is located to the North of Mumbai. Although being a district place, the city has always been shadowed by the existance of the metropolis just on its outskirts. Spanned over an area of about 147 sq. Kilometers, this city houses over 10 Lakh people. A total of 200 Kms roads run through the city. The city is surrounded by scenic hills, which add to its beauty. The Hill of Yeoor is considered to be the hill station for the Thaneyites. On the other hand is the Parsik Hill. The city is divided by Thane Creek, a stream of water from the Arabian Sea. Two road bridges & one rail bridge connect the two parts of the city.

Essel World
Esselworld was the very first amusement park to come up in Bombay Situated at Gorai which is a distant suburb of the city, it contains 34 rides including three roller coasters, bumper cars and lots more. You can reach Esselworld from Marve, Bhayander or Borivali. Special bus services are available that take tourists straight to Esselworld. Inside the complex are several restaurants and cafes where you are served delicious food. The entrance fee for adults is Rs 200, while children get in at Rs 150 This is inclusive of all rides. 
For details contact : 4933289 / 4933281

The Great Escape
Two hours drive close to Virar (3- 4kms) is a water world for people who love to spend a bit. With slides and splashes,Swimming pool, Disco theque, food, lodging, play places for kids its an ideal getaway on a sultry summer weekend. 

Beaches
A weekend stay at the cottages/seaside bunglows on beaches like gorai, Aksa, Madh, Marve is recommended for people who wish to be away from home. For folks who wish to be away from home. For folks who wish to be away from home beaches like those in Alibaug, Chawl, Manori, Murud-Janjira are great choices

Resorts
In order to reach Manori Bel one would have to take train to Malad, rick it down to Marve beach, aferry accross the creek and then take rick down to the resort. Sounds like too much of travel but once you reach there, it is worth all the travel. It is a cost effective place. The resort has its own pseudo private beach. Good food, beautiful enviornment cosy cottage, inviting hamocks, sea sand and sunset. The resort does not serve liquor but allows you to bring your own. A good place for family as well as an ideal place for couples for a day or a weekend.

Lonavala & Khandala
These are two charming little hill stations on the western slopes of the sahayadri, lying on the busy Mumbai-Pune highway. These hill stations were discovered in 1871 and they are wonderful destinations in the mansoons, the clouds literally envelop the entire town, the hills break out in the lush greenery and waterfalls spring up allover. Khandala is 4.5 Kms from Lonavala and is separated by a valley on one hand and a lofty hill on the other. Both the places are famous for their chiwda and chikki and fudge of caramel and nuts.

Nishiland
Located on Bombay Pune highway one and half hours drive from Thane, just ahead of Panvel is the Nishiland waterpark, a cool place for hot summers specially for kids a place with loads of fun with water and slides, wave pools and splashes with lodging and food facilities its kind of place where you want to forget your worries for a day.

Water Kingdom
Adjacent to Esselworld, Water Kingdom boasts of having the largest wave pool in Asia! In addition to this, they have 12 water slides, as well as swimming pools for adults and children. Entrance to Water Kingdom you can get a package deal, paying Rs. 325/- for adults and Rs. 225/- per child. This is inclusive of all rides. Take advantage of special offer. 
For details contact : 4933280 / 4933281 

Matheran
Matheran is only 70 Kms (approx) away from Thane. It is accessible through trains from the station, which takes you up to Neral in about 1.5 hours. From there you board a mountain toy train to take you up the ghats to Matheran. For those with the spirit of adventure, Matheran is a 11 km hike by road from Neral. this hilly idyll offers the traveller delightful picnic and fireside campings, hiking, horse-riding and shopping. Vehicles of any kind are not permitted in the town, which makes it a very quiet and serene place. One of the best places to stay is Anand Ritz.