city, western Maharashtra (Mahārāshtra) state, western India. It lies at the mouth of the Thana River and head of the Ulhas estuary, northeast of Mumbai (Bombay). The city is primarily a residential suburb of Mumbai, though it has a large industrial complex, including an industrial estate. It has chemical, engineering, and textile industries and is the divisional headquarters of the state road-transport service. There are a fort, Christian churches, and many historical buildings.

The surrounding region is generally undulating, with spurs of the Ghats reaching to the sea. The hills are interspersed with short, swift rivers, including the Ulhas and the Vaitarna. It receives the full impact of the southwest monsoon in summer and has reliable and heavy rains. The area is primarily an agricultural region for Mumbai. Chief crops are rice, millet, and fruits and vegetables. Pop. (2001) city, 1,262,551.