The Witness of Ages: Archaeology of the Madh Island and Versova, Mumbai Suburban District Mayur Thakare1 1. Directorate of Archaeology and Museums, Government of Maharashtra, St. George Fort, St. George Hospital Campus, Near C.S.T, Mumbai - 400 001, Maharashtra, India (Email:
[email protected]) Received: 07 August 2016; Accepted: 06 September 2016; Revised: 13 October 2016 Heritage: Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies in Archaeology 4 (2016): 542-606 Abstract: The mere mention of the Madh Island and Versova spells today of the luxurious villas owned by Mumbai's and Nation's Urban rich, a place for exotic shoots and a weekend travel spot of tired Mumabaikars or Tourists from other part of the Nation and very few from abroad. School, College bunkers, young/old couples, families, Travel enthusiasts - you can spot everyone on the sandy Beaches and rocky Sea fronts of the Madh Island. At present, one has to go from Malad (West) in Mumbai Suburban District to reach the Madh Island by a good conditioned motorable road or one can simply cross the Versova Creek by a boat to reach the Madh Island. The Island has the Arabian Sea on the West and South, Manori/Gorai on the North and Malad on the East. It is at present divided from the mainland of Mumbai Suburban District or former Salsette (Sashti) Island by a narrow Creek surrounded by the Mangroves. The Madh Island from North to South has the villages Marve, Aksa, Erangal, Madh and Wadis such as Shankarwadi, Patelwadi, Pascalwadi etc. A good portion of Island is under the control of Defense establishments of the Government of India such as the Indian Navy, Indian Air Force.