Dadra and Nagar Haveli is one of the seven Union Territories of India. It is located in the western frontier between the states of Gujarat and Maharashtra. This article is all about historical, geographical, social, religious, cultural, amazing, rare, unknown interesting facts about Dadra and Nagar Haveli union territory.
Quick Basic Facts about Dadra and Nagar Haveli
- Capital – Silvasa
- Official language – Gujarati, Marathi, Hindi, english
- Area – 487 Sq Km
- Area Rank – 4th
- Population – 3,42,853 as per 2011 census
- Population Rank – 5th (among all Union Territories)
- Population Density – 700 per Sq Km
- Sex Ratio – 775
- Sex Ratio Rank – 6th (among all UTs)
- Literacy Rate – 77.6 %
- Literacy Rank – sixth (among all UTs)
- No. of Districts – 01
- Legislature – None
- No. of Lok Sabha seats – 01
- No. of Rajya Sabha seats – Nil
- Established on – 11 Aug, 1961
- First Administrator – Tumkur Sivasankar
Historical Facts about Dadra and Nagar Haveli
- In Pre-modern and medieval times this land was ruled by Maratha rulers.
- Marathas made alliances and signed treaties with Portuguese to safeguard this region from the attacks of Mughals and British forces. In return Marathas offered Portuguese to collect tax from the villages of Dadra and Nagar Haveli.
- Portuguese influence grew up eventually after the loss of Maratha power in 3rd war of Panipat and Portuguese became the sole ruler of Dadra and Nagar Haveli.
- This territory was Portuguese colony till 1954 when its control was seized and annexed by India from Portuguese on 2 Aug 1954.
- The liberation and annexation of Dadra and Nagar Haveli is quite interesting. None of Indian armed forces was involved in this action. It was done by group of civilians and some nationalist organisations mainly United Front of Goans (Francis Mascerenhans, Waman Desai and some other leaders), RSS (Raja Wakankar and some other leaders), In the night of 1st August of 1954 a number of leaders and volunteers of these organisations attacked the police stations of Dadra and overpowered them to surrender. National song was sung and Indian flag was hoisted. On the next morning of 2nd Aug 1954 the territory was declared free from Portuguese rule. Although it remained as free territory till 1961 and was recognised as Union Territory in 1961 by government of India.
Geographical Facts about Dadra and Nagar Haveli
- Dadra and Nagar Haveli is located in south of goa and north of Maharashtra in the Western Ghats of India.
- Daman Ganga is the main important river which passes not only through Dadra and Nagar Haveli but also through territory of Daman & Diu, and several cities like Vapi, Dadra and Silvasa.
- It is surrounded by Valsad district of Gujarat from north, east and west; and by Palghar district of Maharashtra from south.
- High court of Mumbai serves as the Judiciary of this union territory.
- Main agricultural products of this UT are – Ragi, wheat, sugarcane, paddy, pulses, mango, chiku and lichi.
Social and Cultural Facts about Dadra and Nagar Haveli
- Dadra and Nagar Haveli has a fair literacy rate of 77.6 % which is above India’s avergage literacy rate of 74.04 %. It stands at 19th position if all states and union territories are taken together. If only Union territories are considered then its rank is sixth.
- Sex Ratio of this union territory is poor and staggering low of 775 females per 1000 male. It fairs just from Daman and Diu which is at the bottom place among all states and UTs with figures of 618 females per 1000 male.
- Main tribal groups of this union territory are Kokna, Varli and Dhodia.
- Main festivals of Dadra and Nagar Haveli are – Diwaso, Barash, Bhawada and Kali Puja.
- Main places of tourist attractions are Bindrabin, Deep Park, Khanvel, Vanganga Lake and Island garden, Dadra, Vanvihar Udyan, Tribal cultural museum.