Dadra and Nagar Haveli

For the Indian musical form, see Dadra.

Dadra and Nagar Haveli દાદરા અને નગર હવેલી दादरा आणि नगर हवेली
—  union territory  —
Silvassa Location of Dadra and Nagar Haveli દાદરા અને નગર હવેલી दादरा आणि नगर हवेली
Coordinates	20°16′N 73°01′E
Country	India
District(s)	1
Established	1961-08-11
Capital	Silvassa
Administrator	Shri Narendra Kumar, IAS
Population • Density	342,853 (33rd) • 704 /km2 (1,823 /sq mi)
HDI (2005)	0.618 (high)
Official languages	Hindi,Gujarati, English
Time zone	IST (UTC+05:30)
Area	487 km2 (188 sq mi)
ISO 3166-2	IN-DN
Website	dnh.nic.in

Dadra and Nagar Haveli (Gujarati: દાદરા અને નગર હવેલી, Marathi: दादरा आणि नगर हवेली, Portuguese: Dadrá e Nagar Aveli) is a Union Territory in western India. Nagar Haveli is wedged between Maharashtra and Gujarat, whereas Dadra is an enclave lying a few kilometres north of Nagar Haveli in Gujarat. Its capital is Silvassa. The territory lies some ten to thirty kilometres up-river from the city of Daman.

Dadra and Nagar Haveli are in the watershed of the Daman Ganga River, which flows through the territory. The towns of Dadra and Silvassa both lie on the north bank of the river. The Western Ghats range rises to the east, and the foothills of the range occupy the eastern portion of the district. The territory is landlocked, although the Arabian Sea coast lies just to the west in Gujarat.

The major spoken languages in the territory are Gujarati, Hindi and Marathi.

In order to keep the English at bay and to enlist their support against the Moghals, the Marathas made friends with the Portuguese and signed with them a treaty in 1779. According to this historic treaty of friendship, the Maratha-Peshwa agreed that the Portuguese will be allowed to collect revenues from Dadra and Nagar Haveli which consisted of 72 villages, then known as parganas (now referred to as "district place"s). These territories were earlier ruled by the Koli chiefs who were defeated by the Hindu kings of Jawhar and Ramnagar. The Marathas conquered and annexed these territories to their kingdom.

By and large, this treaty was signed only to the extent that the Portuguese will only collect the revenue in compensation for their loss of a warship called ‘Santana’ which had earlier been captured by the Marathas but not surrendered to the Portuguese in spite of their many entreaties.

The area of Dadra and Nagar Haveli spread over 491 km²., land locked between Gujarat in North and Maharashtra in South was liberated from Portuguese Rulers by people themselves on 2 August 1954 . The people of the U.T. established free Administration of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, which was finally merged in to Union of India in the year 1961

History

The profound history of Dadra and Nagar Haveli begins with the defeat of the Kohli chieftains of the region by the invading Rajput kings. It was the Marathas that retrieved the region from the rule of the Rajputs in the mid 18th century. In 1779, the Maratha Peshwa formed an alliance with the Portuguese allowing them to collect revenue from the 79 villages of Dadra and Nagar Haveli. The rule of the Portuguese in the region continued till the region gained independence on 2nd August 1954. The region was merged with the Union of India in the year 1961.

Portuguese era

The Portuguese occupied Nagar Haveli on 10th June 1783 on the basis of Friendship Treaty executed on 17th Dec.1779 as compensation towards damage to the Portuguese frigate by Maratha Navy. Then, in 1785 the Portuguese purchased Dadra. It was administered by the Portuguese Governor of Daman until 1954

Liberation of Dadra and Nagar Haveli

Main article: Liberation of Dadra and Nagar Haveli

After India attained Independence in 1947, the residents of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, with the help of volunteers of organisations like the United Front of Goans (UFG), the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, the National Movement Liberation Organisation (NMLO) and the Azad Gomantak Dal liberated the territories of Dadra and Nagar Haveli from Portuguese rule in 1954.

Integration into India

Old map of the territory.

Although it enjoyed de facto independence, Dadra and Nagar Haveli were still recognized internationally (e.g., by the International Court of Justice) as Portuguese possessions. The residents of the former colony requested the Government of India for administrative help. Mr. K.G. Badlani, an officer of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) was sent as the administrator.

From 1954 to 1961, the territory was administered by a body called the Varishta Panchayat of Free Dadra and Nagar Haveli.

In 1961 when Indian forces took over Goa, Daman, and Diu, Mr. Badlani was, for one day, designated the Prime Minister of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, so that, as Head of State, he could sign an agreement with the Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru, and formally merge Dadra and Nagar Haveli with the Republic of India.

Geography

Dadra and Nagar Haveli occupies an area of 491 square kilometres (190 sq mi), comparatively equivalent to the Phillippines' Biliran Island. The stretch of the geographical area is hilly terrain specially towards the north east and east where it is sorrounded by ranges of Sahyadri mountains (western ghats). The central region of the land is almost plain and the soil is fertile and rich. The river Damanganga rises in the Ghat 64 km from the western coast and discharges itself in the Arabian Sea at the port of Daman. About 53% of the land is under forest cover. However the reserved forest cover is about 20,359 hectares (50,310 acres) in this territory constitutes about 40% of the total geographical area. The rich bio-diversity makes it an ideal habitat for a variety of birds and animals. This makes it a perfect spot for eco-tourism. Silvassa is an incredible eco-tourism spot for wildlife enthusiasts.

Administration

Population Growth
Census	Pop.		%±
1951	42,000		—
1961	58,000		38.1%
1971	74,000		27.6%
1981	104,000		40.5%
1991	138,000		32.7%
2001	220,000		59.4%
Source:Census of India

A Lieutenant Governor administers the territory, which covers an area of 188 sq mi or 487 km² and consists of two talukas:

• Dadra
• Nagar Haveli

Dadra is the headquarters of Dadra taluka, comprising Dadra town and two other villages. Silvassa is the headquarters of Nagar Haveli taluka, comprising Silvassa town and 68 other villages.

Economy

Dadra and Nagar Haveli's gross state domestic product for 2004 is estimated at $218 million in current prices.

Manufacturing is the main economy in Dadra and Nagar Haveli as the taxes are low.

Demographics

According to the 2011 census Dadra and Nagar Haveli has a population of 342,853, roughly equal to the nation of Belize. This gives it a ranking of 566th in India (out of a total of 640). The district has a population density of 698 inhabitants per square kilometre (1,810 /sq mi) . Its population growth rate over the decade 2001-2011 was 55.5 % which is the highest percentage growth among all Indian states and Union Territory. Dadra and Nagar Haveli has a sex ratio of 775 females for every 1000 males, and a literacy rate of 77.65 %.

Tribals make up a large part of the population - 62%. The most prominent are Dhodia (16.90%), Kokna (16.85%) and Varli (62.94%), with small groups of Koli, Kathodi, Naika and Dubla scattered across the territory, collectively representing 3.31% of the population. Dhodias and Dubles mainly populate the Northern part, whereas Koknas and Varlis are found all over the Union Territory. They worship the primary deities of Dis (Sun) and Chand (Moon), and Narandev, Kanasari, Himai, Hirva, Veer, Rangtai and Vagdev.

One prominent feature of this union territory is that people from all over India form a part of non-tribal residents. Though Gujaratis have a prime influence in the area. The same is reflected by the fact that Gujarati is a part of one of the three official language. Others being Hindi and English. Besides Gujaratis, one can find Marathis, Rajasthanis, Biharis, Tamils, Uttar Pradeshis, and people from several other states. The prime reason for such diverse population is the industrial hub. Employment opportunities, good climate and the landscape is highly appealing.

As per Census 2001, out of the 137,225 ST persons of the UT, except 3,796 (2.8 per cent) Christians, the remaining all are Hindus. At the individual tribe level, Kokna have the highest 6.7 per cent Christians population in 2001. Jains also form an important part of the non-tribal population. Recently the Digambara Jains constructed a temple in the capital city Silvassa. Swetambara sects also have a temple in Dadra and Silvassa - two important towns of the union territory. The influence of Swaminarayana has also grown especially in Silvassa. Their temple is under construction and will supposedly be the biggest and most expensive in the area.

Tribes

Tribals make up a large part of the population - 62%. The most prominent are Dhodia (16.90%), Kokna (16.85%) and Varli (62.94%), with small groups of Koli, Kathodi, Naika and Dubla scattered across the territory, collectively representing 3.31% of the population. Dhodias and Dubles mainly populate the Northern part, whereas Koknas and Varlis are found all over the Union Territory.

Varli

Although commonly associated with Maharashtra, and found in Gujarat too, Varlis actually consider Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli to be their original home. A tribe of non-Aryan origin, they are the largest tribal group in the territory and constitute 62.94% of the total tribal population.

Rituals are extremely important to the Varlis - they are nature worshippers who regard the Sun and the Moon as the eyes of God. Their main deities are Naran dev, Hirwa, Himai and Waghio, and stone images of these deities are found in tree groves. A Bhagat plays the Ghangal (a musical instrument made from gourd, bamboo and iron strings) and performs the rituals.

Traditionally the Varlis wear a loin cloth with a small waist coat and a turban. The women wear a knee length, one yard saree - Lugde - and adorn themselves with silver and white metal ornaments.

Dhodia

The term Dhodia seems to be derived from Dhundi, which means a small thatched hut, and the Dhodias are primarily hut dwellers. They reside mostly in the northern part of Dadra & Nagar Haveli. They are known to be the most educated among all the tribes and are good cultivators. Some own enough farm land to be able to earn a decent livelihood.

Traditionally the men wear a white knee length dhoti with a shirt or waist coat, white or coloured caps and ornaments like earrings and silver chains around their waist. The women wear a knee length dark blue saree with an aanchal worn from the front and left loose at the back. Popular accessories include colourful bead necklaces, and metal ornaments such as bangles or thick kadas around their ankles

Kokan

The Koknas derive their name from the Konkan region in West India. They haveland of their own, produce paddy and are better cultivators than the Varlis. With the introduction of formal education many of them have moved up the social ladder.

Koknas well built and both men and women often tattoo their bodies, especially their foreheads. The men wear a dhoti up to the knees, with a waist coat or shirt and a turban. The women wear traditional colourful sarees that are either knee length or full length.

Kathodia

The Kathodis, called Katkari in the Thane district of Maharashtra, make up 0.08% of the total tribal population of Dadra & Nagar Haveli. Their name is derived from their profession of kattha or catechew making.

They are considered to be at the bottom of the tribal social ladder. They usually live in forests, in semi-permanent settlements. Most of them cut wood and collect charcoal. The government has tried to improve their standard of living by engaging them in permanent professions. They wear minimal jewelry; what is worn adorns the women only.

Dubla

The Dublas, a scheduled tribe that is unevenly distributed in the southern part of Gujarat and the Thane district of Maharashtra, are 2.29% of the total population of schedule tribes in the Union Territory. They have villages all along the coastline and are not forest dwellers like the Varlis and Koknas.

The name Dubla comes from a Sanskrit word, Durvala, which means ‘obstinate in nature’, rather than its colloquial meaning which is ‘physical weakness’. They are also called Halpatis; a name that better suites them for their primary profession of ploughing, since they use the hal or plough.

The men largely wear dhotis and shirts while the women wear coloured knee length sarees, with the aanchal used to cover their heads. They also wear ornaments like earrings, bangles, metal necklaces and thick metal kaddas around the ankles.

External links

• Government website
• Dadra and Nagar Haveli travel guide from Wikitravel