Panchgani
Panchgani, located just 18 km from Mahabaleshwar, has a very different historical origin. While Mahabaleshwar grew as a religious site and a Maratha stronghold, Panchgani was purely a colonial creation. Discovered and shaped by the British in the mid-19th century, it was designed specifically as a residential and educational retreat.
The Historical Evolution of Panchgani
Panchgani’s development is closely tied to British settlement and its transformation into an educational hub:
The Discovery by John Chesson
1860s
A British officer named John Chesson was charged with finding a suitable alternative to Mahabaleshwar, which suffered from incredibly harsh, unlivable monsoon rains. He found this windy plateau, sheltered by five surrounding hills, which enjoyed pleasant weather year-round.
The Settlement & Flora Import
1867
Chesson was appointed the superintendent of the new hill station. He planned the town infrastructure, mapped out plots, and planted imported Western trees like Silver Oaks and Poinsettias to give the station a distinctly British countryside feel.
Becoming an Educational Hub
Late 19th Century
Because of its clean air and pure water, the British saw Panchgani as the perfect environment to raise and educate children. Renowned boarding schools like St. Peter’s School (founded 1872) and Kimmins High School (1898) were established, drawing elite families from across the British Empire.