Introduction Dadra & Nagar Haveli
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Introduction Dadra & Nagar Haveli Located on the western side of the complexion with tribals (adivasi) foothills of western ghats constituting more than 75 percent encompassing an area of 491 square of the population, and the main km, the Union Territory (UT) of tribes are Dhodia, Kokna and Varli. Dadra & Nagar Haveli is the land The reserved forests comprise 40 of colourful tribals. Just 12 km percent of the UT providing a north west of Daman, a small part habitat for all kind of flora and of Gujarat (Vapi) separates the two. fauna. Because of proximity to the It has seen many rulers, ranging sea at Daman, the summer from the mighty Marathas to the temperature is not overpowering. fiery Portuguese. It was liberated The river Damanganga and in 1954 from Portuguese rule. its tributaries like the Varna, Dadra actually is much smaller Pipri and Sakartond criss cross the with only two villages apart from UT and drain into Arabian Sea Dadra itselt. Nagar Haveli consists at Daman. of 69 villages of which Silvassa, the The nearness of Daman, which is the capital of Dadra and Nagar Haveli sister UT, has common admini- is one. Dadra is separated from the stration with the Administrator as villages of Nagar Haveli by 3 km Head, has integrated the two UTs to of Gujarat territory. The entire form a composite block for the union territory is rural in its purpose of tourism. Visitors GUIDE Daman, Diu, Dadra & Nagar Haveli 1 CMYK The colourful dances and curious 200 and 20025' of latitude north rituals of this tribal land, top class and between the meridian 72050' resorts and complexes close to and 73015' of longitude. The vast nature, enchanting hills, the well stretch of the total geographical manicured gardens at Dadra, area of 491 square km is hilly Silvassa and Luhari, lion safari at terrain specially towards the north Vasona, water based thrills at east and east where it is Dudhni, trekking trails to the surrounded by ranges of Sahyadri forests, wildlife sanctuary at Mountains (western ghats). The Satmalia and the charming river Damanganga rises in the monsoon landscape of the entire Ghat 64 km from the western coast area are the visitors delight - the and discharges itself in the Arabian ideal place for a city dweller to Sea at the port of Daman. The unwind in and to get close to land under forest cover (20359 nature. A small sylvan place for hectares) in this territory all seasons. constitutes about 40 percent of the The network of the road within geographical area. The central the UT is good and Vapi (14 km) region of the land is almost plain and Bhilad (12 km) on the western and the soil is fertile and rich. rail line are the nearest rail heads. The nearest international airport CLIMATE is Mumbai (180 km). Silvassa, the The climate is moderate and capital has a variety of generally healthy in the central accommodation and restaurants zone, though hot and humid with well stocked bar. Well during the summer months but appointed cottages and camping less warm during the monsoon facility are also available to explore season from June - September. The this tranquil paradise. Of late this area referred to as Cherrapunji of has also emerged as the hub of the West India receives an annual business tourism because of its rainfall between 200-250 cm. excellent facilities and services. HISTORY GEOGRAPHY The Portuguese who entered India Surrounded on the west north and at the end of 15th century, after east by Valsad district of Gujarat occupying Goa also took some and in the south and south east areas on the Bay of Khambat by Thana and Nasik districts of (Cambay) i.e. Daman and later on Maharashtra, the union territory Diu on the Saurashtra coast. In the of Dadra and Nagar Haveli is 18th century, Marathas were a situated between the parallels of formidable force and had acquired 2 Visitors GUIDE Daman, Diu, Dadra & Nagar Haveli CMYK The nature's delight some areas of south Gujarat from T. B. Cunha and rulers of the Dharampur Raja and other adjoining Gujarat. With the principalities. The late 18th freedom of India, the nationalist century, around 1779, records a leaders found that Dadra & Nagar fierce sea battle between Portuguese Haveli was a good target against and Maratha forces in which Portuguese rule because the Marathas were compelled to cede territory was landlocked unlike some territory close to Daman to Goa, Daman and Diu and was the former. On 17th December, now in the midst of free India. 1779 Portuguese took territorial At this time, Portugal was ruled by control of the 72 villages by virtue Salazar who refused the Indian of a friendship treaty between Government demand to end the Portuguese and Marathas. This colonial vestiges in India. This group of 72 villages came to be infuriated the Goan nationalists known as Dadra &Nagar Haveli. who moved in and took control of With the independence of India the Police Station of villages in in August, 1947, the struggle by Dadra on July 22, 1954. Dadra was the freedom fighters of Goa to captured in the early hours with the liberate this territory intensified. support of local tribals and by In fact, the movement was afternoon the Portuguese officers initiated by a Goan teacher, Carles of other two villages in Dadra da Cruz, who got all surrendered. The frightened offices encouragement from Goan of the Portuguese administrator of nationalist movement leaders like Nagar & Haveli sought refuge in Visitors GUIDE Daman, Diu, Dadra & Nagar Haveli 3 CMYK adjoining Gujarat and by August of land holdings many of them 2, 1954 the entire territory was work as farm labourers or seek conquered without a single shot employment in other areas. fired from either side. In 1961, the Indian army marched into Goa, Daman and Diu ousting Tribes Portuguese from their colonial The shy and peace loving tribals possessions on Indian soil. inhabiting the UT attract tourists After its liberation in 1954, the with their rich and colourful tribal administration was carried on by culture. They retained their culture the local body till its merger with although the territory has had the Indian Union on August, 11, many years of foreign rule, from 1961. The area was created as a the Marathas to the Portuguese. Union Territory and formal The Varlis form the largest group statutory administration headed by (63 percent) and are found the Administrator. everywhere in this UT. Varlis are a tribe of non Aryan origin, who PEOPLE AND TRIBES were concentrated in areas near the The population of Dadra & Nagar Vindhyas and Satpuras from where Haveli is 2,20,451 (2001 census), they came towards Konkan region. an increase of over 60 percent over At present, they mainly inhabit the last census in 1991. More than the Valsad and Dang districts of 62 percent of the total population Gujarat and Thana and Nasik is tribal. The population density districts of Maharashtra as well as is 449 persons per square this UT, which they claim as their kilometer, sex ratio (number of original home. A loin cloth, a females per 1000 males) 811 and small waist coat and a turban the literacy rate 60.03 percent. The makes for the traditional dress of urbanites constitute about 23 the Varli men. Varli women use percent of the total population. knee length Lugden (one yard The urban Silvassa town is the saree) around the waist and a piece most thickly populated among the of cloth locally called Padar. Silver 11 village Panchayats. The majority and white metal ornaments are population is Hindu (over 95 part of adornment. The Varli tribe percent). The main tribes are follow form of Hinduism. Varlis, Dhodia and Kokna whereas Dhodias, the second largest (about the other constituents are a little 17 percent) tribal population is over 3 percent of the total tribal largely concentrated in area population. The main occupation around north part of the UT, is agriculture, but due to paucity south of Gujarat and a few 4 Visitors GUIDE Daman, Diu, Dadra & Nagar Haveli CMYK Simple, colourful tribal folks of Dadra & Nagar Haveli adjoining areas of Maharashtra. other parts of their body. The men They live in small thatched huts wear dhoti upto the knees, a waist (locally called Dhundi) and are coat or shirt and a turban on their cultivators and a majority are land head. The women wear colourful owners. The traditional wardrobe knee length or full length saree. of the Dhodia men is a white Others include Kathodis, leading dhoti upto the knees and a shirt a forest life and engaged in the or waist coat with a white cap and profession of catechew (katha) they wear ornaments such as making; the Dublas, scattered earrings and silver chains around along the coast line, also called the waist. The dress of a female halpatis for their profession of consists of a dark blue saree worn ploughing (hal); Kolghas and upto the knees with colourful bead Nayakas being the smaller groups necklaces, metal bangles on wrists represent about 3 percent of the and thick metal kadas around population together. their ankles. With improved communication, The well built Koknas constitute education, economy growth of the about 17 percent of the tribal region and the steps initiated by population and are settled along the Administration, the tribal's the foothills of the western ghats. way of living and thinking is Their life mainly depends on changing from their original cultivation (paddy) for livelihood. agriculture based and gathering This tribe is characterized by existence to near mainstream.