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Suggest pagesUttara Kannada
| North Kanara | |
| — district — | |
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| Coordinates | 14°36′N 74°42′E / 14.6°N 74.7°ECoordinates: 14°36′N 74°42′E / 14.6°N 74.7°E |
| Country | India |
| State | Karnataka |
| Subdistrict(s) | Karwar, Ankola, Kumta, Honnavar, Bhatkal, Sirsi, Haliyal, Mundgod, Yellapur, Siddapur, Joida |
| Headquarters | Karwar |
| Deputy Commissioner | Smt Imkongla Jamir |
| Population • Density |
1,353,644[1][2] (2001[update]) • 132 /km2 (342 /sq mi) |
| Sex ratio | 971 ♂/♀ |
| Literacy • Male |
76.6[3]% • 84.5% |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+05:30) |
| Area • Coastline |
10,250 square kilometres (3,960 sq mi) • 142 kilometres (88 mi) |
| Climate • Precipitation |
• 2,835 mm (111.6 in) |
North Kanara is also called as North Kanara or North Canara. It is a district in the Indian state of Karnataka. It is bordered by the state of Goa and Belgaum District to the north, Dharwad District and Haveri District to the east, Shimoga District and Udupi District to the south and the Arabian Sea to the west.[2] The city of Karwar is the administrative headquarters of the district.
Contents |
[edit] History
There is a substantial amount of Chardo families in this area as they had migrated due to the persecution of the Portuguese in Goa. North Kanara was the home of the Kadamba kingdom from the 350 CE. to 525 CE. They ruled from Banavasi. After the subjugation of the Kadambas by the Chalukyas, North Kanara district came under successive rule of empires like Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, Hoysalas and Vijayanagar empire.
Famous Moroccan traveler Ibn Battuta is said to have stayed for a time in the district under the protection of Nawayath Sultan Jamal Al-Din at Hunnur. This place is presently known as Hosapattana and is located in the Honnavar taluk. Ruins of an old mosque and its minaret can still be seen in the village.
The district came under the rule of Maratha Empire from around 1700 CE. to 1800 CE. It was ceded to the British at the conclusion of the Third Anglo-Maratha War in 1818. The British established North Kanara district as a part of the Bombay Presidency. After India's independence in 1947, Bombay Presidency was reconstituted as Bombay State. In 1956 the southern portion of Bombay State was added to Mysore State, which was renamed Karnataka in 1972.
North Kanara was an ancient site of sea trade visited by the Arabs, Dutch, Portuguese, French and later the British. Ibn Battuta passed through this route during one or more of his journeys.
Significant and picturesque, the Sadashivgad fort of historical importance is now a popular tourist destination located by the Kali river bridge, which has been built at the confluence of the river and the Arabian Sea.
[edit] Portuguese
Cintacora was known to the Portuguese was a very old port and was also known as Chitrakul(Chittakula) and Sindpur. When Sadashivgad was built in this area, the village also came to be known by that name.
A fort existed at Cintacora which was captured and burnt by the Portuguese in 1510. They called it Pir fort due to the Muslim Dargah(Tomb of a Sufi Saint Shahkaramuddin) they found there – & was known in Portuguese language as Forte de Piro or Pito.
The creek at the mouth of the Kali River was a trading center from early days. It came into greater prominence after Sadashivgad was built and the Portuguese realised the advantages of its sheltered harbour.
[edit] British
In 1638 a rival English trading body, the Courteen Association, established a factory at North Kanara (actually the village named Kadwad, situated 6 km eastwards on the banks of the Kali river). It was a trade port frequented by traders from Arabia and Africa. Baitkhol port (the current civil port of North Kanara) was famous for its natural harbour. The name Baithkhol is Arabic term, Bait-e-kol, meaning bay of safety. Muslin was the chief commodity purchased but North Kanara was also a source for pepper, cardamom, cassier and coarse blue cotton cloth. Situated on India's west coast, 50 miles south-east of Goa, North Kanara was noted for its safe harbour. In 1649 the Courteen Association united with the British East India Company and North Kanara became a Company factory.
[edit] Kingdom of Mysore
In the Treaty of Mangalore signed in 1784, between Tipu Sultan and the East India Company, one finds reference to North Kanara and Sadashivgad written as Carwar and Sadasewgude respectively.[4]
[edit] Maratha Empire
North Kanara was a part of the Maratha Empire during the 18th century. After the defeat of the Marathas in the Third Anglo-Maratha War, it became a part of British territory. It was a part of the Bombay Presidency until 1950.
[edit] The British Empire
The British made North Kanara their district headquarters in 1862. Since 1862, the time from which it came under Bombay Presidency, North Kanara was described as a first rate harbor between Bombay and Colombo.
The renowned Bengali poet and Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore, who visited North Kanara in 1882, dedicated an entire chapter of his memoirs to this town.[5] The 22 year old Rabindranath Tagore stayed with his second brother, Satyendranath Tagore, who was the district judge in North Kanara.
[edit] Geography and Climate
The main geographic feature of the district is the Western Ghats or Sahyadri range, which runs from north to south through the district. Between the Sahyadris and the sea is a narrow coastal strip, known as the Payanghat, which varies from 8 to 24 km in width. Behind the coastal plain are flat-topped hills from 60 to 100 meters in height, and behind the hills are the ridges and peaks of the Sahyadris. East of the Sahyadris is the Balaghat upland, part of the vast Deccan plateau.
Moisture-bearing winds come from the west, and yearly rainfall averages 3000 mm on the coast, and as high as 5000 mm on the west-facing slopes of the Sahyadris. East of the crest is the rain shadow of the Sahyadris, which receive as little as 1000 mm annually. Much of the rain falls in the June–September Monsoon.
Four principal rivers drain westwards from the crest of the Sahyadris to the sea; from north to south they are the Kali, Gungawali, Aghanashini and Sharavati. These rivers form numerous waterfalls, the most famous of which is Jog falls, on upper reaches of the Sharavati in neighboring Shimoga district, other famous waterfalls include Unchalli Falls, where the river Aghanashini drops 116 meters, Magod Falls, where the Bedti river plunges 180 meters in two leaps, Shivganga falls, where the river Sonda (Shalmali) drops 74 meters, and Lalguli falls and Mailmane falls on the river Kali. In the lowlands, these rivers form wide estuaries, extending several kilometers inland from the coast.
[edit] Ecology
The district's high rainfall supports lush forests, which cover approximately 70% of the district. The North Western Ghats moist deciduous forests cover the Sahyadris below 1000 meters elevation. Many trees shed leaves in the drier months. In pockets above 1000 meters elevation lie the evergreen North Western Ghats montane rain forests. Anshi National Park near Dandeli, preserves approximately 250 km² of semi-evergreen forest, which is home to the tiger, black panther, leopard cat, gaur, Asian Elephant, sambar and a range of birds and reptiles. Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary protects 834 km² of semi-evergreen and bamboo forest in the watershed of the Kali river and its tributaries, the Kaneri and Nagajhari. The Wrought on free tailed bat is endemic to the forests of Bhimgad, a proposed wild life sanctuary.
The district is also home to patches of Savanna and degraded scrub jungles, which are often the result of overuse for logging or grazing. Much of the lowland has been cleared for agriculture. Mangrove forests can be found in the river estuaries, and the sandy beaches are home to groves of Calophyllum Inophyllum, Coconut and screw pine (Pandanus Spp.). The rocky beaches at Binaga, Arga, Belekeri, Tadadi, Ankola Keni, Kadle, Kumta, Dhareshwar, Kasarkod, Murdeshwar, Bhatkal and Belke of the district are rich with Marine Fauna Diversity. The rocky beaches of North Kanara District harbor the invertebrates belonging to the Phylum Porifera, Coelenterata, Annelida, Arthropoda, Mollusca and Echinodermata.
Attiveri bird sanctuary is home to 79 species of birds including migratory birds from 22 countries. Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary is famous for the elusive Black Panther among other animals like Gaur, Tiger and Leopards. The Kavala caves with their 5 ft. High natural Shiva linga, Synthery rocks is a 500 ft high rock flanked by natural caves and waterfalls, Vincholi rapids, Sykes point which offers a view of Kali river, and a suspension bridge are places worth visiting in this sanctuary. Yana is an enchanting place that can be reached by trekking about 10 km through lush forest. Yana is famous for its tall jagged rock formations and waterfalls. There is also a shrine of Bhairaveshvara here. Anshi National Park located some distance from Dandeli is undisturbed. Burude Falls is about 20 km from Siddapur, Unchalli Falls, Shivagangae, BeeneHolae Falls is about 25 km from Sirsi, Magod Falls and Sathodi Falls near Yellapura are some of the best natural falls in North Kanara District. There are many dams in this district namely Supa Dam, Kodasalli Dam and Kadra Dam. The famous Atomic energy station at Kaiga is on the beautiful banks of river Kali.
[edit] Border Issues
North Kanara district was a part of Bombay Presidency during the British rule. Before reorganisation of the States, the district was in Bombay State. The local Konkani-speaking people had close connections with Mumbai then. They had matrimonial relations also with the people in Bombay. Many Marathi-medium schools had also been established in North Kanara taluks. Marathi films were released often in district. The visit of Marathi drama troupes from Mumbai and Pune was an annual feature. However, Konkani-speaking people were disenchanted when Marathis began to claim that Konkani was a dialect of Marathi. They disputed it and asserted that Konkani had independent status as a language. It was the Konkani-speaking people led by late P.S. Kamat who argued before Mahajan Commission that North Kanara was an integral part of Karnataka. Karnataka state convener of the Goa State Konkani Ekikaran Manch (GSKEM). The Goa State Konkani Ekikaran Manch (GSKEM) was launched with Asha Palankar as convener in Sadashivgad in 2006. According to members of the Ekikaran Manch, their aim is to organise the movement for the unification of Konkani language speaking North Kanara with Goa. The local unit of the Maharashtra Ekikaran Samithi (MES) at Sadashivagad and its leaders like Vishnu Kalgutkar and Shivanand Rane joined hands with the GSKEM and said they would dissolve the MES unit and fight for merger of North Kanara in Goa. MES had a long history of pursuit for North Kanara alongside Nippani and Belgaum in their quest to merge these areas into the state of Maharashtra. The activists demanded that North Kanara, with 90 percent of Konkani speaking people, should be merged with Goa, the only Konkani state in the country. The local Konkani-speaking people had close connections with Mumbai then. They had matrimonial relations also with the people in Bombay. Many Marathi-medium schools had also been established in North Kanara Marathi films were released often in Karwar. The visit of Marathi drama troupes from Mumbai and Pune was an annual feature. However, Konkani speaking people were disenchanted when Marathis began to claim that Konkani was a dialect of Marathi. They disputed it and asserted that Konkani had independent status as a language. It was the Konkani-speaking people led by late P.S. Kamat who argued before Mahajan Commission that Karwar was an integral part of Karnataka.
[edit] Economy
[edit] Agriculture
The chief crops of the district are rice and sugarcane, along with a great diversity of other crops. Tree crops include coconut, arecanut, cocoa, cashew, mango, banana, pineapple, Garcinia, and sapota; vegetables include onion, radish, cucumber, cauliflower, sweet potato, brinjal, and amaranth; spices include pepper, cardamom, ginger and nutmeg. Millet and cotton are grown in the drier portion of the district east of the Western Ghats.
[edit] Industries
The major products of small scale industries in North Kanara are roofing tiles, coir products, jewelry, food products, wood and steel furniture, glass and ceramics and seafood. Some of these SSI and tiny industries provide job works, components and spares required for large and medium scale industries, both within and outside the district. Eight large and medium scale industries in the district produce a variety of products like paper, duplex board, caustic soda, Ferro alloys, transmission gears, food concentrate, herbal medicines and pharmaceuticals.
[edit] Towns
[edit] Demographics
According to the 2011 census North Kanara has a population of 1,353,644,[6] roughly equal to the nation of Swaziland[7] or the US state of Hawaii.[8] This gives it a ranking of 346th in India (out of a total of 640).[6] The district has a population density of 140 inhabitants per square kilometre (360 /sq mi).[6] Its population growth rate over the decade 2001-2011 was 6.15%. [6] North Kanara has a sex ratio of 975 females for every 1000 males,[6] and a literacy rate of 84.03%.[6]
[edit] Culture
Konkani is spoken as a local language in North Kanara. Karwaris.[9] Kannada, being the state language is also implemented so spoken (by 35% of the population). Marathi is widely understood in district due to the prevalence of Marathi literature and arts in the area [10] Urdu, Hindi and English are also used in social communication. The population is predominantly Hindu composed of majority communities Goud Saraswat Brahmins, Padyes and Bhatt Prabhus, Daivadnya Brahmins, Chitrapur Saraswat Brahmins, Rajapur Saraswat Brahmins, Chitpavan Brahmins, Kudaldeshkar Gaud Brahmans, Kramavant Joshis, Marathas, Vaishya Vanis, Konkan Marathas, Charis, Gomantak Maratha Samaj, Nutan Maratha Samaj, Naik Maratha Samaj, Bhandaris, Kharvis,Gabits, Shervegar Naayaks, Kansars, Gavlis, Madvals. The people of North Kanara are non-vegetarians except for Havyaka community. Islam’s are thinly spread out in North Kanara, community of Islam living in Bhatkal are known as Nawayaths. The Community speaks a dialect called ‘Nawayathi’. It is an amalgam of Persian, Arabic, Marathi and Hindi with Konkani as its base. The Navayath language uses Persian script for writing,it is interesting to note that "Persian script" was being used to write by the Nawayti's long before the language Urdu came into existence.Goan Muslims, Dakhini, Konkani Muslims of Coastal Maharashtra, Nawayath Muslims near Bhatkal, Darji Muslims of Kumta, Honnavar. Christians of Catholic and Protestant faiths.Goan Catholics, Karwari Catholics.
[edit] Dance
‘‘‘Yakshagana’’’ is a dance drama popular in the district of North Karnataka. It is believed to have evolved from pre classical music form and theatrical arts.[11] Yakshagana is popular in the districts of North Kanara, Shivamogga, Udupi, South Kanara and Kasaragod district of Kerala.[12] This would be considered to be a form of opera in western eyes. Actors wear costumes and enact the various roles. Traditionally, Yakshaganas would go on all night. It is sometimes simply called as Aataā in both Konkani and Konkani (meaning play).[12] Yaksha-gana literally means the song (gana) of a Yaksha. Yakshas were an exotic tribe mentioned in the Sanskrit literature of ancient India.[13]
[edit] Festivals
The traditional Islamic festivals of Eid ul-Fitr (Ramadan) and Eid ul-Adha (also known as Bakrid) are celebrated. Special Eid prayer is offered during these two occasions. Usually in the central Eidgah the Qadhi leads the Eid prayer and delivers Khutba. Colourful costumes, delicious food, exchanging the Eid greetings – Eid Mubarak (Arabic/Persian/Urdu: عید مبارک) and generous charity to the poor and needy are part of Eid celebration. Other occasions celebrated are 12th Rabi' al-awwal of the third month of Islamic calendar commemorating Meelad-al-Nabi — prophet Muhammad's birthday.
Diwali is celebrated by Hindus as the return of Rama, King of Ayodhya, with his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana to Ayodhya after 14 years exile, and a war in which he killed Ravana. It is also called the Festival of Lights. All homes, shops, establishments & offices are decorated & special arrangements are made at night for lighting.
The Christian community of North Kanara celebrates Christmas Day on 25 December, it being the birthday of Jesus Christ.
[edit] Cuisine
North Kanara is famous for a variety of seafood delicacies. Fish curry and rice is the staple diet of the locals, cashews and coconut
- Kurle Ambat – Crab prepared in coconut, red chillies and tamarind paste.
- Bangada Fry – Mackerel fried in masala (spices) and semolina.
- Gojju – A vegetable dish made of capsicum, carrot, cucumber and eggplant fried in butter.
- Kalwa Sukka – KALWA is jst like Sea shell but it is grown on the Edge of the sea Shore on the stones. Which will be attach to it. it cannot be removed, You have to Break the shell by use of hammer and get it out. and it is prepared using prepared in coconut, red chillies and tamarind paste.
- Tisaryachi Ekshipi – Clams with one shell on.
- Masli Kadi – Fish cooked in coconut gravy.
- Miri Phanas Chi Bhaji – Breadfruit cooked with grated coconut, spices and either shellfish or shrimp.
- Shagoti – Chicken or mutton cooked in coconut gravy and shagoti masala.
- Sukhe Masli – Dried, salted fish like mackerel (bangada), Bombay duck (bombil), sardine (tarle) and others.
- Paez – Parboiled rice (ukhde tandul) cooked in water and salt. Is eaten with ambat or masli kadi.
- Sutryan – Boiled rice shaped into a disc or vada-like form. Is eaten with prawn (zinge) gravy.
- Kakadi chi Roti
- Mungachi Kheer
- Sakhroli
- Chile
- Ghavane
- Shevaya – Vermicelli noodles made from boiled rice. Is eaten with coconut milk and jaggery.
- Patoli – A sweet prepared by wrapping the ingredients in turmeric leaves and steaming them.
- Patrado
- Sukrundo – A sweet prepared during Ganesh Chaturthi. People believe that this is Lord Ganesh's favourite.
- Bhinda Kadi – A drink prepared from the kokum fruit.
[edit] Newspapers and Media
- The District Media/News Center (Zilla Varta Kendra) is located near DC office, Karwar
- SahilOnline English Urdu & Konkani daily, Bhatkal
- Karavali Munjavu, Karwar
- Nagarika, Honnavar
- NudiJenu, Ankola
- Janantharanga, Kumta
- Konkani Vruththaa, Kumta
- Pathrakartha, Sirsi
- Janamadhyama, Sirsi
- Lokadhwani, Sirsi
- www.sirsi.in, Sirsi
[edit] Transport
[edit] Public Transport
North West Karnataka Transport Corporation (NWKRTC) is the state transport agency in the district. The NWKRTC covers all towns & villages of the district. There is a good network of public transport which connects the villages to the towns of the district. There are regular intra state services to major cities & towns of the state like Bangalore, Mysore, Mangalore, Hubli-Dharwad & Belgaum. The Kadama Transport buses of neighboring Goa state provides regular service from Karwar to all part of Goa state. Kumta & Sirsi are the main hubs for public transport which provides services to intra-district & intrastate round the clock.
Many private transport buses also provide services for inter / intra state from the district. The NH-17 which passes through the district which connects Mumbai to Kerala state, many private buses are plying on this Highway which provides inter-intra state services to places like Mumbai, Pune, Kolhapur, Belgaum, Panaji, Margao, Udupi, Mangalore, Kasaragod & Kannur etc.
[edit] Highways
The following are the National Highways which passes through the district of North Kanara.
- NH-17 which connects Edappally near Ernakulam in Kerala and Panvel near Mumbai, which start in the north of the district at Majali village & ends at Bhatkal.
- NH-206 which connects Honnavar and Bengaluru
- NH-63 which connects Ankola and Hubli
- NH-17A which connects Dandeli and Vasco
[edit] Railways
The following Railways pass through the district:
- Konkan Railway which connects Mangalore and Mumbai via Karwar,
- Londa to 'Vasco Railway line which passes through 'Castle Rock'
- Casle rock to Dandeli Railway line.
- Hubli -Ankola railway line is proposed to link Karwar port and the northern Karnataka.
- RO-RO (Roll on/Roll off) services is provided by Konkan Railway to / from Ankola railway station to Suratkal Railway station. Many truckers use this facility between Ankola to Mangalore.
[edit] Ports
North Kanara being one of the coastal district of the Karnataka state has a coast of 120 km has many ports which are used for Sea Trade, Naval base, Fishing & other maritime activities.
- KARWAR PORT is an intermediate sea port the main activities of this port are Berthing of Ocean Going Ships, Coastal Shipping, & Fishing Jetty. Ship bunkering facility is also available at Karwar port.
- INS KADAMBA is a naval base at Arga village of Karwar which is used exclusively for berthing of naval vessels. A naval ship repair yard (Dry Docks) is also attached to it.
- BELEKERI PORT is an anchorage port.
- TADRI PORT is a fishing port.
- KUMTA PORT is a fishing port.
- HONNAVAR PORT is a fishing port.
- BHATKAL PORT is a fishing port.
The Proposed Hubli-Ankola railway line can be feasible venture for the future developments of the ports in the district, for movement of the cargo, at present roads are only major mode of cargo movement which leads to congestion of the National Highways of the district.
[edit] Nearby Airports
[edit] Education
[edit] High Schools and Colleges
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North Kanara District 
