Sindhudurg district (Marathi pronunciation: [sin̪d̪ʱud̪uɾɡə]) is an administrative district of the Konkan division in India, which was carved out of the erstwhile Ratnagiri district. The district headquarters are located at Oros. The district occupies an area of approximately 5,207 km2 and has a population of 849,651, of which 12.59% were urban (as of 2011).[1] As of 2011, it is the least populous district of Maharashtra (out of 36).[2]

Sindhudurg District
Clockwise from top-left: Sindhudurg Fort, sunset at Sawantwadi, Tirlot Bridge, Amboli Ghat, Chivla Beach
Location in Maharashtra
Location in Maharashtra
Country India
StateMaharashtra
DivisionKonkan
HeadquartersOros
Talukas1. Dodamarg, 2. Sawantwadi, 3. Vengurla, 4. Kudal, 5. Malvan, 6. Kankavli, 7. Devgad, 8. Vaibhavwadi
Government
 • BodySindhudurg Zilla Parishad
 • Guardian MinisterRavindra Chavan
(Cabinet Minister MH)
 • President Z. P. SindhudurgNA
 • District CollectorMs. K. Manjulekshmi (IAS)
 • CEO Z. P. SindhudurgNA
 • MPsNarayan Rane
(Ratnagiri–Sindhudurg)
Area
 • Total5,207 km2 (2,010 sq mi)
Population
 (2011)
 • Total849,651
 • Density160/km2 (420/sq mi)
 • Urban
12.59%
Demographics
 • Literacy85.56%
 • Sex ratio1,036
Time zoneUTC+05:30 (IST)
Major highwaysNH-66
Average annual precipitation3,287 mm
Websitesindhudurg.nic.in/en/
Map of Sindhudurg district with its talukas
Tirlot Bridge, north of Amberi

History

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Sindhudurg district was established on 1 May 1981.

The word 'Konkan' is of Indian origin and considerable antiquity, though the origin of the name has never been definitively explained. The seven kingdoms of the Konkan of mythology are mentioned in the History of Kashmir and are said to have included nearly the whole west coast of India. The Pandavas are said to have passed through this region in the 13th year of their exile and to have settled in this area for some time. The Raja of this region, Veerat Ray, accompanied them in the war at Kurukshetra with the Kauravas.[3]

In the middle of the sixth century, kings of the Maurya and Nala dynasties appear to have ruled in the Konkan. The district of Ratnagiri was under the Silahars, and the capital of their kingdom was probably Goa. Later it may have been relocated to a more central place in the vicinity of Ratnagiri or Kharepatan. Chandrapur was one of the most ancient towns in Konkan, probably founded by Chandraditya, son of the Chalukya king Pulakeshin II.[3]

The 16th century saw the advent and rise of Portuguese power on the west coast of India and Sindhudurg was not immune. The sultan lost his hold on the district in 1675 with the rise of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, and the district became part of the Maratha Empire. Marathas continued to rule the district till 1817, when the conflict between the British and the Peshwas concluded and the whole of Konkan was transferred to the British.[3]

In 1819 South Konkan was formed as separate district with its headquarters first at Bankot and later at Ratnagiri. Three northern subdivisions were transferred to Thane district in 1830 and the district was reduced to a sub-collectorate level under Thane district. In 1832, it was again made a full-fledged district and named Ratnagiri district. In the year 1945, a new Mahal (tahsil) called Kankavli Mahal (tahsil) was formed. The former Indian state of Sawantwadi was merged with the district and the taluka boundaries reorganized in the year 1949. In the same year the new taluka of Sawantwadi was created and two new mahals, Kudal and Lanja, were formed. With the reorganization of states in 1956, the district was included in Bombay State and since 1960, it is a part of Maharashtra. The name of the district has been adopted from the sea fort of Sindhudurg. This was built by Shivaji Maharaj near Malwan and its name literally means ‘Sea Fort’. Its construction started on 25 November 1664 and was completed in three years, designed such that it could not be seen easily by enemies coming from the Arabian Sea.[3]

Sindhudurg district is the southern part of the Konkan coast which is historically known for its long coast line and safe harbours. Sindhudurg district was earlier a part of Ratnagiri district. For administrative convenience and industrial and agricultural development, Ratnagiri district was divided into Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg with effect from 1 May 1981. Sindhudurg district now comprises the eight tahsils of Sawantwadi, Kudal, Vengurla, Malvan, Devgad, Kankavli, Vaibhavwadi and Dodamarg.

Geography

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Sindhudurg district is the southern most district of Maharashtra.[4] It has deposits of Iron, Bauxite and Manganese.[4] Sindhudurg is bordered on the north by Ratnagiri district, on the south by the state of Goa, on the west by the Arabian Sea, and to the east across the crest of the Western Ghats or Sahyadris is Kolhapur district. Sindhudurg is part of the Konkan (coastal) region, a narrow coastal plain in western Maharashtra which lies between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea.

Sindhudurg has a semi-tropical climate and remains warm and humid most of the year. It has three clear seasons: rainy (June–October), Winter (November–mid February) and Summer (mid February–May). Temperatures rise to a maximum of 32 °C and monsoon winds bring heavy rains (average rainfall 3240.10 mm).[citation needed]

The people of Sindhudurg district mostly speak Konkani and a distinct dialect of Konkani called "Malvani"; almost all are fluent in Marathi as well.

Administrative Divisions

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The eight talukas of this district are Devgad, Kankavli, Malvan, Kudal, Sawantwadi, Vengurla and Dodamarg and Vaibhavwadi.

There are three Vidhan Sabha constituencies in this district. These are Kankavli, Sawantwadi and Kudal. All of these are part of the Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg Lok Sabha constituency.[5]

  • Talukas: 8
  • Towns: 16
  • Municipal Councils: 3
  • Nagar Panchayats: 5
  • Gram Panchayats: 433
  • Villages: 743
  • Police Stations: 9
  • Police Outposts: 23

Tehsils and Panchayat Samiti

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  1. Dodamarg
  2. Sawantwadi
  3. Kudal
  4. Vengurla
  5. Malvan
  6. Kankavli
  7. Devgad
  8. Vaibhavwadi

Nagar Palika

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  1. Sawantwadi
  2. Malvan
  3. Vengurla

Nagar Panchayat

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  1. Kankavli
  2. Kudal
  3. Vabhave-Vaibhavwadi
  4. Devgad-Jamsande
  5. Kasai-Dodamarg

Proposed Nagar Palikas

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  1. Kankavli
  2. Kudal

Proposed Nagar Panchayats

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  1. Oros
  2. Vijaydurg
  3. Amboli
  4. Banda
  5. Nerur
  6. Rameshwar
  7. Majgaon
  8. Kalmath

Cities

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  1. Malvan
  2. Vengurla
  3. Sawantwadi
  4. Vaibhavwadi
  5. Devgad
  6. Kankavli
  7. Kudal
  8. Dodamarg
  9. Oros

Smaller Towns

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  1. Vijaydurg
  2. Amboli
  3. Banda
  4. Nerur
  5. Rameshwar
  6. Majgaon
  7. Kalmath
  8. Jamsande
  9. Vabhave
  10. Kasai

Villages

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  1. Kumbhawade
  2. Otvane
  3. Tulsuli
  4. Girye
  5. Shiroda
  6. Mhapan
  7. Mangaon
  8. Phondaghat
  9. Bhedshi
  10. Kot Kamte
  11. Kandalgaon
  12. Katta
  13. Gothos
  14. Talere
  15. Shirgaon
  16. Naringre
  17. Kharepatan
  18. Achara
  19. Sukalwad
  20. Khotale
  21. Hedul
  22. Vanygawde
  23. Kasal
  24. Pawashi
  25. Kadawal
  26. Trimbak
  27. Masure
  28. Bandiwade,(बांदिवडे) Malvan
  29. Shiroda
  30. Ghonsari
  31. Hivale
  32. Poip
  33. Tirlot
  34. Navanagar
  35. Amberi
  36. Waghotan
  37. Tirawade
  38. Redi
  39. Talvade Gate
  40. Tale Bazar
  41. Salgaon
  42. Bhuibawada- Vaibhavwadi
  43. Kunkeshwar
  44. Katwan
  45. Phanasgaon
  46. Undil
  47. Manache-Mutat
  48. Mathbudruk
  49. Budhavle
  50. Sanadave
  51. Masure
  52. Chouke
  53. Shivapur Kudal
  54. Ovaliye
  55. Padel
  56. Sarambal
  57. Verle
  58. Tulas
  59. Satuli
  60. Akeri
  61. Madkhol
  62. Karivade
  63. Sarmale
  64. Kesari
  65. Danoli, Sawantwadi
  66. Chaukul
  67. Fansavde
  68. Parpoli

Agriculture

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Sindhudurg's major crops are Rice, Coconut, Kokum, Mango and Cashew, of which the last three are the major annual crops.

The irrigated area in Sindhudurg is 23.48%, through wells and small canals. 33,910 hectares of the district's agricultural land are irrigated, while 104,390 hectares are not. 74% of the total land holding in the district is held by small and marginal farmers. The district has 38,643 hectares of forest cover.

Irrigation

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  • Major projects: 2 (Tilari and Talamba)
  • Medium projects: 4
  • Small projects (state owned): 33
  • Small projects (Zilla Parishad owned): 460

Education

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  • Primary schools: Zilla Parishad operated – 1469, Private – 49
  • Secondary schools: Grantable institutions - 184, Central Government institutions: 1, Private: 22
  • Junior Colleges: 43
  • Senior Colleges: 7
  • D.Ed./ B.Ed. Colleges: 4 + 1
  • Medical Colleges: 2 (Government Medical College (GMC[6]) started in 2022, it is in town Oros[7])
  • Engineering Colleges: 2
  • Polytechnic Colleges: 3
  • Industrial Training Institutes (ITI): 7 (1. Sawantwadi 2. Malvan 3. Deogad 4. Sindhudurgnagari 5. Vengurla 6. Phondaghat 7. Vaibhavwadi)
  • Art Institute: 1 (B. S. Bandekar College of Fine Art (Applied Art), Sawantwadi).

Demographics

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Historical population
YearPop.±% p.a.
1901543,058—    
1911553,550+0.19%
1921531,211−0.41%
1931598,968+1.21%
1941637,574+0.63%
1951676,335+0.59%
1961724,817+0.69%
1971757,917+0.45%
1981780,891+0.30%
1991832,152+0.64%
2001868,825+0.43%
2011849,651−0.22%
source:[8]
Religions in Sindhudurg district (2011)[9]
Religion Percent
Hinduism
91.85%
Islam
3.09%
Buddhism
2.91%
Christianity
1.82%
Other or not stated
0.33%

According to the 2011 census Sindhudurg district has a population of 849,651,[2] roughly equal to the nation of Qatar[10] or the US state of South Dakota.[11] This gives it a population ranking of 474th in India (out of a total of 640).[2] The district has a population density of 163 inhabitants per square kilometre (420/sq mi).[2] Its population growth rate over the decade 2001–2011 was -2.21%. Sindhudurg has a sex ratio of 1037 females for every 1000 males, which is second highest in Maharashtra,[2] and a literacy rate of 85.56%. 12.59% of the population live in urban areas. Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes make up 6.54% and 0.82% of the population respectively.[2]

Languages in Sindhudurg district (2011)[12]

  Marathi (91.22%)
  Malwani (2.29%)
  Konkani (1.65%)
  Urdu (1.54%)
  Hindi (1.33%)
  Kannada (0.93%)
  Others (1.04%)

At the time of the 2011 Census of India, 91.22% of the population spoke Marathi, 2.29% Malwani, 1.65% Konkani,[a] 1.54% Urdu, 1.33% Hindi and 0.93% Kannada as their first language.[12]

Population Literacy
Overall 8,49,651 85.56%
Male 4,17,890 91.58%
Female 4,50.935 79.81%

Economy

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  • Banking sector: The district has
    • Nationalised banks (66 branches), Co-operative banks (106 branches) and rural banks (15 branches).
  • Fisheries
    • Sindhudurg has a sea coast length of 121 km. and an Exclusive economic zone spanning 16000 km2.
    • Main fisheries centers of Sindhudurg are 8 - Vijaydurg, Devgad, Nivati, Achara, Malvan, Sarjekot, Vengurla, Shiroda
    • Total fish production: 19273 M. Tons
    • Fisheries Co.Op. Soc.: 34 (total members: 14216)

Transportation

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Sindhudurg is connected to the state capital Mumbai by road through the erstwhile National Highway 17 (NH-17), now renumbered as NH-66.[13] This highway also connects the district to neighbouring Goa and Karnataka. There are regular MSRTC and private luxury buses connecting to adjoining cities like Kolhapur (110 km away from Kankavli), Belgaum (90 km from Sawantwadi City), Panaji – Goa (55 km away Sawantwadi & Vengurle). Towns and major villages are well connected to Mumbai as a large percentage of emigrants from the district are based in the Mumbai area. The district is also well connected by Konkan Railway to Mumbai, Thane, Goa and other parts of the country like Mangalore, Karwar Ernakulam, Thiruvananthapuram, Coimbatore, Tirunelveli, Hapa, Veraval, New Delhi, Jodhpur and Porbundar. The main railway stations on this route are Kudal, Kankavli and Sawantwadi. Many trains halt at these stations. The nearest major airport is MOPA airport & Dabolim Airport in Goa which is around 80 km from cities like Sawantwadi, Kudal and Vengurle. Sindhudurg Airport at Chipi-Parule, near Malvan was inaugurated in 2019.Currently Alliance Air, a subsidiary of Air India provides daily flight services to and from Mumbai & Fly91 provides alternate day flights to Bangalore & Hyderabad.[14]

Cuisine

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The cuisine of the district is popularly known as Malvani cuisine. Coconut, rice, and fish feature prominently in Malvani cuisine. Seafood, particularly Bangada, Paplet, prawns, and Tisrya, is very popular. Kombdi Vade, also called Vade Sagoti, a chicken savory, is the most popular dish. Others include Ukadya Tandulachi Pej (उकड्या तांदळाची पेज – a semi-fluid boiled brown-red rice Congee preparation) and Solkadhi (सोल कढी – A preparation made of sol (kokum) सोल and coconut milk). Dry fish is also a local delicacy - varieties include Sungata and Golma which are both dried prawn preparations.

Malvani cuisine differs from cuisines in the rest of Maharashtra, with dishes prepared using locally available spices and generally with little oil. Some popular Malvani dishes include

  • Kombadi Vade or Vade Sagoti (कोंबडी वडे thick puris made of rice flour)
  • Ghavane – ras (घावने - Rice dosa with sweet coconut milk)
  • Amboli – Usal (आंबोळी उसळ - fermented rice dosa with spicy curry)
  • Shirvale (शिरवाळे - noodles served with sweet coconut milk)
  • Dhondas (धोंडस)
  • Fried fish and fish curry using Malvani spices
  • Solkadi (सोलकढी)
  • Khaprolya (खापरोळ्या)
  • Malvani Ukadiche Modak (Steamed Modak)
  • Malvani Khaja (खा)
  • Nhevre/Karanjee (करंजी - Stuffed crunchy sweet delicacy)
  • Olya Kajuchi Usal
  • Pithi Bhat (पिठी-भात - Pithi is made of horsegram unlike the besan prevalent across the rest of Maharashtra)
  • Ukdya Tandlachi Pej with
  • Phanasachi bhaji (Jackfruit dish)

Mango is a major influence on the socioeconomic life of Sindhudurg. Alphonso Mango (हापुस आंबा ) varieties from Devgad are particularly popular. Other varieties of mango: Mankur (मानकुर), Goa Mankur, Keshar, Pāyari (पायरी), Karel (करेल – used for preparing Mango Pickle), and Rayval are also popular for their distinct taste. Jackfruit is also one of the most popular fruits of Sindhudurg.

Malvani cuisine also has many vegetarian dishes, including Garyache Sandan, Karmal pickle, Bimble, Amba Halad, Karadichi Bhakri, Kanyacha Sanja, Appe, Ghavan, Dalimichi Usual, and Kaju Usual, Raiwal Ambyacha Rayta, Yelapp.

Places of attraction

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Tourist destinations

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Temples

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Beaches

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Officer

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Members of Parliament

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  • Mr. Narayan Rane (BJP) Ratnagiri_Sindhudurg Constituency

Guardian Minister

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list of Guardian Minister

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Name Term of office
Deepak Kesarkar 5 December 2014 - 8 November 2019
Uday Samant 9 January 2020 - 27 June 2022
Anil Parab Additional charge 27 June 2022 - 29 June 2022
Ravindra Chavan 24 September 2022- Incumbent

District Magistrate/Collector

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list of District Magistrate / Collector

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Name Term of office
Ms. K. Manjulekshmi (IAS) 2018 - Incumbent

References

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  1. ^ "Sindhudurg District Population Census 2011, Maharashtra literacy sex ratio and density". www.census2011.co.in. Retrieved 6 April 2018.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "District Census Hand Book – Sindhudurg" (PDF). Census of India. Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India.
  3. ^ a b c d "History". sindhudurg.nic.in.
  4. ^ a b Swami, V.N. (2020). D.C.C. Bank Clerk Grade Examination (in Marathi). Latur, India: Vidyabharti Publication. p. 113.
  5. ^ "Election Commission, Maharashtra – No. of Voters 1.8.2006". maharashtra.gov.in. Archived from the original on 10 October 2008. Retrieved 6 April 2018.
  6. ^ "Govt. Medical College". gmcsindhudurg.org. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
  7. ^ "Collector Office Sindhudurg | SINDHUDURG | India". Retrieved 27 November 2022.
  8. ^ Decadal Variation In Population Since 1901
  9. ^ "Population by Religion - Maharashtra". censusindia.gov.in. Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India. 2011.
  10. ^ US Directorate of Intelligence. "Country Comparison:Population". Archived from the original on 27 September 2011. Retrieved 1 October 2011. Qatar 2,374,860 may 2015 est.
  11. ^ "2010 Resident Population Data". U. S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 27 December 2010. Retrieved 30 September 2011. South Dakota 814,180
  12. ^ a b "Table C-16 Population by Mother Tongue: Maharashtra". censusindia.gov.in. Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India.
  13. ^ "NH in state renumbered". The Hindu. 21 November 2010. Archived from the original on 24 November 2010. Retrieved 9 October 2012.
  14. ^ "Work on Chipi airport takes off - Times of India". indiatimes.com. Retrieved 6 April 2018.
  15. ^ "Kunkeshwar Temple and Beach | Sindhudurg". Konkanonline.com. Retrieved 21 October 2013.
  1. ^ It seems some Konkani speakers were erronenously recorded as speaking Kukna in the census.
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16°06′32″N 73°41′27″E / 16.108889°N 73.690833°E / 16.108889; 73.690833