Pen, India

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name = Pen | type = city | latd = 18.75 | longd = 73.08
locator_position = right | state_name = Maharashtra
district = Raigad
leader_title =
leader_name =
altitude = 18
population_as_of = 2001
population_total = 30,203| population_density =
area_magnitude= sq. km
area_total =
area_telephone =
postal_code = 402107
vehicle_code_range = 06
sex_ratio =
unlocode =
website =
footnotes =

Pen is a city and county in Raigad district of Indian state of Maharashtra. It lies on the NH17 Mumbai Goa Highway. It is famous for beautiful Ganesh Idols. There are some controversial plans to set up SEZ's on the outskirts of city.

Geography

Pen (T. Pen; 18°40'.N, 73°05' E; p. 8,607; RS. Khopoli, 12 m.) the headquarters of Pen taluka lies on the right bank of Bhogavati creek about ten miles from its mouth. At high water spring tides, the creek is navigable for boats of forty tons to Antora, a mile and a half below Pen. The Bhang Bandar or neap tide port is four miles below Pen. A built road joins Pen with Antora.

Pen is the centre of considerable traffic between the Deccan and the sea-coast. Trucks come down the Sahyadris along the Khopoli road bringing tobacco, molasses, pepper, and onions, and taking salt and rice. The public buildings of Pen are: Government grain-godown, police sub-inspector's bungalow, two police lines (residential quarters), P. W. D. inspection bungalow, Central Excise inspector's bungalow, a post-mortem building, mamlatdar's office, city survey office, Forest Department office, Salt Department's checking office, post-office, etc.

History

In historical times Pen was under rule of the Silaharas of Shri Sthanak (Thana) from 9th to the 12th Century and subsequently it passed under the control of the Yadavas. As Silaharas rarely acted as sovereign rulers and acknowledged the successive suzerainty of Gujarat in the north, Karnatak in the south, Pen is often referred to as belonging to their respective dominions. When Shayastakhan was sent against Sivaji, a detachment of the Moghal army had been kept at Pen but it was subsequently routed by him. In 1668 Pen is mentioned as a port which acknowledged the Moghal as its superior, though it lay in Sivaji's territories [ Bruce's Annals, II. 242.] . In 1676 it is mentioned by Fryer [ New Account, 51, 61, 77.] . Parvatibai, the wife of Sadasivrav Bhau, the hero of Panipat, came from the Kolhatkar family of Pen which incidentally had taken active part in inciting the impostor of Bhau to rise against Savai Madhavrav. In 1819 the easy communication with Bombay and with the Deccan by the Bor pass made Pen an important centre. Its chief prosperity lay in its salt beds. There was a considerable export of rice to Bombay [ Revenue Diary, 142 of 1819, p. 2570.] . A number of carved stones about the town appear to belong to an unusually large temple of about the thirteenth or fourteenth century.

Demographics

As of 2001 India census [GR|India] , Pen city had a population of 30,203. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Pen has an average literacy rate of 80%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 84%, and female literacy is 76%. 12% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Economy

People in city are employed mainly in service and commerce sector. Majority of rural population is dependent on agriculture- paddy crops- for livelihood. Industrial belt in western part of the county is causing a major problem of pollution in surrounding rural areas, creating health problems and reducing crop yields. Land prices are soaring due to controversial proposals to set up SEZ on the outskirts of city. Economy is growing rapidly but there are some serious concerns about uneven and unjust development.

Development

Because of plans to set up SEZ on the outskits of Pen city, it has seen a rapid development in recent years.In 2007 Moreshwar Adlabs(Multiplex) was launched by Adlabs cinemas. It is a 2 screen cinema hall with all modern facilities and first of its kind in Raigad district. Also retail chain called Spencer's Daily also started their retail store in Pen. Pen Municipal Corporation is building a mall cum shopping complex called Center Point and a state of the art Drama theater.

peciality

Ganesh Idols: Pen is very famous for its Ganesh Idols which are used widely for the "Ganesh Festival". Many of Ganesh Idols in Mumbai are brought from Pen. There are multiple lanes [termed as "Ali"] which consist only of such Idol Making craftsmen. Going through these lanes one can see the whole process of developing Ganesh Idols. Number of Ganesh Idols are now even exported to the Marathi population in US.
Papad Business: Papad or "Poppudom" made in Pen are also very famous. Papad's of multiple types are made here eg from potato,poha(rice) etc. Majority of Papad Exports are done from Pen.There are number of small scale business setups who sell Papad's.

Transport

Road: One can reach Pen through Panvel(30 km away),it comes on the Mumbai-Goa Highway Or from Pune-Mumbai Expressway/Highway by Khopoli-Pen State Highway (25 km away from Khopoli) The distance is approximately 80 km from Mumbai
Railways: Pen station comes under Konkan Railway. Long distance trains do not halt here however there is a local service running from Diva to Ratnagiri which can be used to reach Pen.

Politics

Before 1970's Pen was Raigad's district headquarter. Government Offices were controversially relocated to nearby town of Alibag. Pen has more than its share of hopeless, corrupt and greedy politicians.

References

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*Raigad district