Dadra, Nagar Haveli And Daman And Diu

Dadra and Nagar Haveli, union territory of India, located in the western part of the country and situated between the states of Gujarat to the north and Maharashtra to the south. It lies some 15 miles (24 km) from the Arabian Sea and about 80 miles (130 km) north of Mumbai (Bombay). The territory consists of two sections—Dadra and Nagar Haveli—which together embrace roughly 72 villages. The capital is Silvassa. Area 190 square miles (491 square km).

According to the 2011 census Dadra and Nagar Haveli has a population of 342,853. This gives it a ranking of 566th in India, out of a total of 640 districts. It has a population density of 698 inhabitants per square kilometre (1,810/sq mi), and its population growth rate over the decade from 2001 to 2011 was 55.5 percent, which is the highest percentage growth among all Indian states and union territories. Dadra and Nagar Haveli has a sex ratio of 775 females for every 1,000 males, and a literacy rate of 77.65% .

History: The history of Dadra and Nagar Haveli before India’s medieval period (roughly 11th–16th century CE) remains obscure. In 1262 CE a Rajput invader defeated the local Koli chieftains of the area and became the ruler of Ramnagar, a small state that included Nagar Haveli in its territory. The region remained under Rajput rule until the mid-18th century, when the Marathas acquired Nagar Haveli. The Marathas ceded Nagar Haveli to the Portuguese in 1783 as compensation for a Portuguese vessel that their navy had destroyed. Indian Nationalists seized Dadra on the night of July 21, 1954, and captured Nagar Haveli two weeks later. Their status as a single union territory was made official on Aug. 02, 1961.

Culture: Tribal groups make up a large part of the population viz 62%. The most prominent are Dhodia (16.90%), Kokna (16.85%) and Warli (62.94%), with small groups of Koli, Kathodi, Naika and Dubla scattered across the territory, collectively representing 3.31% of the population. Dhodias and Dublas mainly populate the Northern part, whereas Koknas and Warlis 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. Marathi and Gujarati languages are widely spoken. The prominent castes occupying this territory are Rajputs, Ahirs, Rohit, Mahar, and associated castes.

Languages spoken: Gujarati, Hindi, Marathi and English

There are 72 villages, mainly inhabited by the various tribal communities like the Warly (Warli), Kokana, Dhodia, Koli, Kathodi, Naika, Dubla and Kolgha. The tribal communities are locally known as adivasi (which means original inhabitant). Each community has its own culture, traditions and languages and dialects. None of these languages has written literature or script until today. The tribal communities consist of approximately 60% of the population of DNH. (Earlier in the eighties it was more than 80%, but after influx from different parts of the country, the percentage has reduced). But the influx has helped the tribal people in increasing their earnings and standard of living. Warli is the language spoken by the Warli people. Agri is spoken by Agri community. Both are dialects of Marathi.