Google Map Of Dadra & Nagar Haveli

Official Website: http://dnh.nic.in/
Established: 1961-08-11
Capital: Silvassa
Largest city: NA
Districts: 1
Government Body: NA
Legislature: NA
Parliamentary constituency: 1
High Court: NA
Area Total: 487 km2 (188 sq mi)
Area rank: NA
Population 2011: 342,853 (5th)
Population Density: 704 /km2 (1,823 /sq mi)
Time zone: IST (UTC+05:30)
UN/LOCODE: NA
ISO 3166 code: IN-DN
Vehicle registration: NA
HDI: 0.618 (medium)
HDI rank: NA
Literacy: NA
Official languages: Gujarati, Marathi

Overview and Introduction:

History Behind the Name:

Dadra and Nagar Haveli is a group of 72 villages found between the cities of Mumbai, Surat and Vapi. Dadra and Nagar Haveli was ruled and administered by the Portuguese Governor of Daman from 1779 to 1954. It was merged to India after Independence and made a Union Territory in 1961. Silvassa is the capital city of Dadra and Nagar Haveli.

Silvassa is obtained from the Portuguese word “silva” which means wood.

Population:

Dadra and Nagar Haveli has a total population of 3,42,853 according to the 2011 census. This land consists of more than 1 lakh tribes. Almost 60% of the population is tribals. The main tribal groups are:

• Varli
• Kokana
• Dhodia
• Dublas

The Dhodias and the Dublas are mainly settled in northern parts of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and the Varlies and Kokanas are found all over the union territory.

Geography:

The Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli is situated at the western side foot hills of the Western Ghats. Dadra and Nagar Haveli lies between the states of Gujarat and Maharashtra. This union territory covers a total area of approximately 700 sq. km. About 40% of its geographical area is covered by forests and looks like a land of woods. Lovely green forests with tall trees, huge waterfalls, swinging rivers, hills and streams along with nature’s fantastic flora and fauna decorate the surface of Dadra and Nagar Haveli.

Weather Information:

Pleasant climate prevails over Dadra and Nagar Haveli during the months from November to March. The summers are not very hot and as this union territory is close to the sea, the nights are very cool. The winters are very pleasant and there is considerable amount of rainfall in this region. The climate of Dadra and Nagar Haveli is very ideal and suitable for tourists who wish to have a long vacation.

History of Dadra and Nagar Haveli:

During the Maratha rule in 1783, Nagar Haveli was given to the Portuguese for the sinking of its ship by the Marathas. In 1785, the Portuguese purchased Dadra and was administered by the Governor of Daman. Dadra and Nagar Haveli was under the Portuguese domination for more than 150 years Even after Independence Dadra and Nagar Haveli was liberated from Portuguese rule by the pro-India administration only in 1954. In August 1961 the territories of Dadra and Nagar Haveli was made a centrally administered union territory.

Demographics:

The population of Dadra and Nagar Haveli grows at a rapid rate. The languages spoken by the tribals are Bhili, Gujarati, Marathi and Hindi.

Economical Information:

Agriculture is the main occupation for the local people of Dadra and Nagar Haveli. Food crops like paddy, wheat, pulses, ragi and cash crops like sugarcane are cultivated. Fruits like mango, chiku, litchi, and apple are also produced. Dadra and Nagar Haveli only possess some medium and small scale industries. They produce chemical engineering goods, automobile parts, cotton, silk and nylon fabrics, wrist watches and confectionaries.

Culture:

The culture of Dadra and Nagar Haveli has remained unchanged from the Maratha rule to the Portuguese rule and from its Independence until now. They willingly participate in their native dances like Tarpa Nach and Bhavada. Tarpa is a cultural dance in which the Kokna tribes dance to the tune of an instrument made from dried gourd, called Pavri or Tarpa.

Cuisine:

The cuisine of Dadra and Nagar Haveli is unique in that the local tribals use a wide variety of vegetables, pulses, mushrooms and bamboo shoots. The food tastes a mixture of sweet and salt. Rice, raagi and corn are used for making the main dish roti. The leaves and fruits of wild shrubs and herbs are used to make chutneys. Ubadiyu a special dish made of mixed vegetables, beans and herbs cooked in a mud pot, is enjoyed by the locals with turmeric-flavoured buttermilk. The non-vegetarian delicacies include crabs, a variety of fish from the rivers and chicken.

Festivals:

The regular festivals celebrated by the Hindus, Muslims and Christians are also celebrated in Dadra and Nagar Haveli. The other tribal festivals include:

• Barash which is an important festival celebrated by the Varli and Kokna tribal people.
• Akhatrij a festival celebrated only by the women belonging to the Kokna tribe.
• Divaso celebrated by the tribes of Dhodia and Varli.
• Rakhi-Bandhan which is a festival celebrated by another set of Dhodias.

Religion:

The largest population of Dadra and Nagar Haveli are Hindus and the rest are Christians and Muslims.