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At 1,372 metres above sea level, Mahabaleshwar is one if the most spectacular and the largest
of Maharashtra's hilI-stations. Mahabaleshpur has pleasant walks and Panoramic lookouts and
area has strong historical connections with Shivaji.Mahabaleshwar is Sanskrit for God of Great
Power. The first
Briton to set foot here was Sir Charles Malet in 1791. Under General Peter Lodwick and Sir John
Malcolm, the Governor of Bombay, a sanatorium was built in 1828. Mahabaleshwar was then considered
a British territory and was named 'Malcolm Peth' for some years. The bazaar is stilI named so.
John Malcolm was completely taken in by the hilI-station. Under Britis roads were built,
folIowing which several resorts quickly sprang up. Bungalows, churches and the Mahabaleshwar
Club were built. A polo ground and race course were opened. In the 19th century, as soon as the
sanatorium was founded, an open jail reformatory centre was established. Convicts from China and
Malaysia were stationed here. They were involved in constructing roads, grinding cornflour,
maintaining potato cultivations and other vegetable gardens in the English resorts. Now, the
Public Works Department bungalow stands on the site of the prison. Mahabaleshwar was the summer
capital of the Governor of the old Bombay Presidency. The Britishers built various mansions,
cottages and bungalows around the town, lending it a charming, sophistication.
The place is popular with tourists, especially from Mumbai and Pune, wanting to take a break
from the rush of the rat race. The hilI-station is very crowded during vacations like Christmas
& Diwali and in summers.
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