Dadra and Nagar Haveli
Dadra and Nagar Haveli is a district situated in the western region of India, forming part of the union territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu. It occupies a unique geographical position, consisting of two separate land parcels: Nagar Haveli, which lies nestled between the Maharashtra and Gujarat states, and Dadra, a smaller enclave located to the northwest, surrounded by Gujarat.
Historical Background
The history of Dadra and Nagar Haveli is marked by its colonial past under Portuguese rule. Initially, in 1779, the Portuguese acquired the right to collect revenue from 72 villages in Nagar Haveli through a treaty with the local Maratha rulers, and in 1785, they purchased Dadra, officially annexing it to the Portuguese State of India. The Maratha Empire's defeat in the Third Anglo-Maratha War in 1818 consolidated Portuguese control over the territory.
Nagar Haveli was divided into several civil parishes, known as freguesias, including Silvassa, which is now the district's capital, Noroli, Dadra, Quelalunim, Randá, Darará, Cadoli, Canoel, Carchonde, and Sindonim. The Portuguese administration continued until 1954 when the territories were liberated by pro-Indian forces under the leadership of the Azad Gomantak Dal.
Integration into India
Following the liberation from Portuguese control, Dadra and Nagar Haveli operated as a de facto independent entity until 1961, during which time it was known as Free Dadra and Nagar Haveli. The territories were administered by local representatives and maintained a separate political identity. The official annexation into India occurred following diplomatic negotiations and the passage of the Annexation of Dadra and Nagar Haveli in 1961.
The district was ultimately integrated into the Indian Union and maintained as a union territory. The administrative framework of the region has evolved over time, with the district being reconstituted as part of the newly formed union territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu in 2020.
Economy and Culture
The economy of Dadra and Nagar Haveli is primarily industrial, with a significant number of manufacturing units due to the tax incentives provided under the union territory status. The region is also known for its lush green landscapes and tribal culture, which includes communities such as the Warli, Kokna, and Dhodia.
Culturally, the district is renowned for its Warli art, a traditional form of painting by the Warli tribe that uses simple geometric shapes to depict daily life, nature, and folklore.
Administrative Structure
Dadra and Nagar Haveli's governance falls under the jurisdiction of the DANICS, an administrative service that manages the civil affairs of certain union territories in India. The district is part of the Dadra and Nagar Haveli Lok Sabha constituency, which elects a representative to the lower house of India's Parliament.