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| Mythological origins | |
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The first literary reference to Goa is mentioned in the Bhishma Parva of Mahabharata as Gomanta which means the region of cows.[7] Hindu scriptures state that the region was created by Parashurama, an avatar of Lord Vishnu (see:Skanda Purana:Sahyadrikhanda). He is said to have settled ten sages in this land and performed fire sacrifices. Another legend has that after performing the penance, the seven sages or the Saptarshis were blessed by lord Shiva therefore known as Saptakoteshwar. Further Lord Shiva is believed to have taken up temporary residence after having tiff with his consort Parvati. Yet another legend says that Lord Krishna defeated Jarasandha the king of Magadha on Gomanchal mountain in Goa. (see:Hari Vamsha purana)[8]
In Suta Samhita Govapuri or Goa is associated with spiritually cleansing touch:... The very sight of Govapuri destroys any sin committed in former existence just as sunrise dispels darkness... Certainly there is no other kshetra equal to Govapuri[9]
Lord Parshuram with Saraswat brahmin settlers commanding Lord Varuna to make the seas recede to make the Konkan .
A similar hymn praising Govapuri city is found in Sahyadrikhanda of Skanda Purana, which says the extent of Goapuri was about seven Yojanas.
“
गोकर्णादुत्तरे भागे सप्तयोजनविस्तृतं
तत्र गोवापुरी नाम नगरी पापनाशिनी
”
Tags:Ist,State,Konkan,Bhishma Parva,Mahabharata,Gomanta,Hindu Scriptures,Parashurama,Avatar,Vishnu,Skanda Purana,Sahyadrikhanda,Saptarshis,Shiva,Saptakoteshwar,Parvati,Krishna,Jarasandha,Hindu,Magadha,Un,Asan, | |
| The Parashurama Legend | |
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According to the Parashurama legend, Parashurama, the sixth reincarnation of lord Vishnu faces with an order of banishment from the lands that he had once conquered, sets seven arrows fly from the Sahyadris to push back the sea and create a stretch of land which he could claim for himself. The sea-god is believed to have acceded his to wish and crated a regionShurparaka (literally:winnowing fan). This region is also known as Parashurama Kshetra.[10] The legend further tells us that having created Goa thus, Parashurama brought Brahmins from the North and settled them in this land.(See:Shree Scanda Puran (Sayadri Khandha) -Ed. Dr. Jarson D. Kunha, Marathi version Ed. By Gajanan shastri Gaytonde).
The Parashurama legend personifies the geological process of elevation of submerged land along the west coast, which must have taken place around 12,000 BC. There is evidence to support this theory as indicated by presence of marine fossils, buried seashells and other features of reclaimed topography in the coastal belt.[8] The evidence provided by the conch (Shankh) at Surla Village, fossilised marine conches discovered in 1863, petrified roots, fossilied branches have been found later in many villages on the foothills of the Sahyadri dating back more than 10,000 BC. Thus the geologists concluded that Goa has risen up from seabed as a result of violent tectonic movements. At the decline of the intensity of pluviation in the last Pleistocenic age around 10.000 BC, the bottom of Deccan plateau was lifted up and out of sea-waters by the tectonic movements, formed the West-coast of India, Goa being a part thereof.[11]
Tags:India,Marathi,Reincarnation,Sahyadris,Marine Fossils,Topography,Tectonic Movements,Pluviation,Pleistocenic Age,Deccan Plateau, | |
| Etymology | |
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The origin of the city name Goa is unclear,in ancient literature, Goa was known by many names such as Gomanta, Gomanchala, Gopakapattam, Gopakapuri, Govapuri, Govem, and Gomantak.[12] The Indian epic Mahabharata refers to the area now known as Goa, as Goparashtra or Govarashtra which means a nation of cowherds. Gopakapuri or Gopakapattanam were used in some ancient Sanskrit texts, and these names were also mentioned in other sacred Hindu texts such as the Harivansa and the Skanda Purana. In the latter, Goa is also known as Gomanchala. Parashurambhoomi is a name that the region is referred to in certain inscriptions and texts such as the Puranas.[13] In the third century BCE, Goa was known as Aparantha, and is mentioned by the Greek geographer Ptolemy. The Greeks referred to Goa as Nelkinda in the 13th century. Some other historical names for Goa are Sindapur, Sandabur, and Mahassapatam.[14]
Tags:Sanskrit,Harivansa,Puranas, | |
| History | |
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Main article: History of Goa
Rock cut engraving at Usgalimal
Goa's history stretches back to 8000–6000 BC. Early Paleolithic and Mesolithic rock art engravings have been found on the bank of river Kushavati at Usgalimal.[15] Petroglyphs, cones, stone-axe, and choppers dating back 10,000 years back have been found in many places in Goa like Kazur, Mauxim, and the Mandovi-Zuari basin.[16] Palaeolithic cave existence is seen at Dabolim, Adkon, Shigao, Fatorpa, Arli, Maulinguinim, Diwar, Sanguem, Pilerne, and Aquem-Margaon etc. Difficulty in carbon dating the laterite rock compounds poses problems in determination of exact time period.[17] These discoveries have shed light on Goa's prehistory.
Gold coins issued by the Kadamba king of Goa, Shivachitta Paramadideva. Circa 1147–1187 AD.
The Sumerians inhabited Goa around 2200 BC which was followed by several waves of Indo-Aryan people and the Dravidians from the Deccan. The early Goan society underwent radical changes when aboriginal locals and the migrants amalgamated, forming the base of early Goan culture.[18]
In 3rd century BC, it formed part of the Mauryan Empire, ruled by the Buddhist emperor, Ashoka of Magadha. Buddhist monks laid the foundation of Buddhism in Goa. Between the 2nd century BCE and the 6th century CE, Goa was ruled by the Chutus of Karwar as feudatories of the Satavahanas of Kolhapur (2nd century BCE to the 2nd century CE), Western Kshatrapas (around 150 CE), the Abhiras of Western Maharashtra, Bhojas of the Yadav clans of Gujarat, and the Konkan Mauryas as feudatories of the Kalachuris.[19] The rule later passed on to the Chalukyas of Badami, who controlled it between 578 to 753, and later the Rashtrakutas of Malkhed from 753 to 963. However from 765 to 1015, the Southern Silharas of Konkan ruled Goa as the feudatories of the Chalukyas and the Rashtrakutas.[20] Over the next few centuries, Goa was successively ruled by the Kadambas as the feudatories of the Chalukyas of Kalyani. They patronised Jainism in Goa.[21]
In 1312, Goa came under the governance of the Delhi Sultanate. However, the kingdom's grip on the region was weak, and by 1370 they were forced to surrender it to Harihara I of the Vijayanagara empire. The Vijayanagara monarchs held on to the territory until 1469, when it was appropriated by the Bahmani sultans of Gulbarga. After that dynasty crumbled, the area fell to the hands of the Adil Shahis of Bijapur who established as their auxiliary capital the city known under the Portuguese as Velha Goa.
The Sé Cathedral at Old Goa, an example of Portuguese influence.
Coat of Arms of Goa as a Portuguese enclave 1935–1961.
In 1510, the Portuguese defeated the ruling Bijapur kings with the help of a local ally, Timayya, leading to the establishment of a permanent settlement in Velha Goa (or Old Goa).
In 1843 the capital was moved to Panjim from Velha Goa. By the mid-18th century the area under occupation had expanded to most of Goa's present day state limits. Simultaneously the Portuguese lost other possessions in India until their borders stabilised and formed the Estado da India Portuguesa, of which Goa was the largest territory.
After India gained independence from the British in 1947, Portugal refused to negotiate with India on the transfer of sovereignty of their Indian enclaves. On 19 December 1961, the Indian Army commenced with Operation Vijay resulting in the annexation of Goa, Daman and Diu into the Indian union. Goa, along with Daman and Diu was made into a centrally administered Union Territory of India. On 30 May 1987, the Union Territory was split, and Goa was made India's twenty-fifth state, with Daman and Diu remaining a Union Territory.
Tags:Maharashtra,Margao,Portuguese,Paleolithic,Mesolithic,Rock Art,Kushavati,Mandovi,Zuari,Carbon Dating,Indo-aryan,Dravidians,Mauryan Empire,Ashoka,Chutus,Karwar,Satavahanas,Kolhapur,Western Kshatrapas,Abhiras,Yadav,Gujarat,Kalachuris,Badami,Rashtrakutas,Malkhed,Silharas,Kadambas,Chalukyas Of Kalyani,Delhi Sultanate,Harihara I,Vijayanagara Empire,Bahmani Sultans,Gulbarga,Adil Shahis,Bijapur,Panjim,Indian Army,Daman And Diu, | |
| Geography | |
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Goa coastline
Goa encompasses an area of 3,702 km2 (1,429 sq mi). It lies between the latitudes 14°53′54″ N and 15°40′00″ N and longitudes 73°40′33″ E and 74°20′13″ E. Most of Goa is a part of the coastal country known as the Konkan, which is an escarpment rising up to the Western Ghats range of mountains, which separate it from the Deccan Plateau. The highest point is the Sonsogor, with an altitude of 1,167 meters (3,827 feet). Goa has a coastline of 101 km (63 mi).
Goa's main rivers are the Mandovi, the Zuari, the Terekhol, Chapora River and the Sal. The Mormugao harbour on the mouth of the River Zuari is one of the best natural harbours in South Asia. The Zuari and the Mandovi are the lifelines of Goa, with their tributaries draining 69% of its geographic area. These rivers are some of the busiest rivers in India. Goa has more than forty estuarine, eight marine and about ninety riverine islands. The total navigable length of Goa's rivers is 253 km (157 mi). Goa has more than three hundred ancient tanks built during the rule of the Kadamba dynasty and over a hundred medicinal springs.
Most of Goa's soil cover is made up of laterites which are rich in ferric aluminium oxides and reddish in colour. Further inland and along the riverbanks, the soil is mostly alluvial and loamy. The soil is rich in minerals and humus, thus conducive to plantation. Some of the oldest rocks in the Indian subcontinent are found in Goa between Molem and Anmod on Goa's border with Karnataka. The rocks are classified as Trondjemeitic Gneiss estimated to be 3,600 million years old, dated by the Rubidium isotope dating method. A specimen of the rock is exhibited in the Goa University.
Tags:Karnataka,Western Ghats,Terekhol,Chapora River,Sal,Laterites,Ferric, | |
| Climate | |
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Goa features a tropical monsoon climate under the Koppen climate classification. Goa, being in the tropical zone and near the Arabian Sea, has a hot and humid climate for most of the year. The month of May is the hottest, seeing day temperatures of over 35 °C (95 °F) coupled with high humidity. The monsoon rains arrive by early June and provide a much needed respite from the heat. Most of Goa's annual rainfall is received through the monsoons which last till late September.
Goa has a short winter season between mid-December and February. These months are marked by nights of around 21 °C (68 °F) and days of around 28 °C (84 °F) with moderate amounts of humidity. Further inland, due to altitudinal gradation, the nights are a few degrees cooler. During March 2008 Goa was lashed with heavy rain and strong winds. This was the first time in 29 years that Goa had seen rain during March.
Climate data for Goa
Month
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Year
Average high °C (°F)
31.6
(88.9)
31.5
(88.7)
32.0
(89.6)
33.0
(91.4)
33.0
(91.4)
30.3
(86.5)
28.9
(84.0)
28.8
(83.8)
29.5
(85.1)
31.6
(88.9)
32.8
(91.0)
32.4
(90.3)
31.28
(88.30)
Average low °C (°F)
19.6
(67.3)
20.5
(68.9)
23.2
(73.8)
25.6
(78.1)
26.3
(79.3)
24.7
(76.5)
24.1
(75.4)
24.0
(75.2)
23.8
(74.8)
23.8
(74.8)
22.3
(72.1)
20.6
(69.1)
23.21
(73.78)
Precipitation mm (inches)
0.2
(0.008)
0.1
(0.004)
1.2
(0.047)
11.8
(0.465)
112.7
(4.437)
868.2
(34.181)
994.8
(39.165)
512.7
(20.185)
251.9
(9.917)
124.8
(4.913)
30.9
(1.217)
16.7
(0.657)
2,926
(115.2)
Avg. precipitation days
0.0
0.0
0.1
0.8
4.2
21.9
27.2
13.3
13.5
6.2
2.5
0.4
90.1
Sunshine hours
313.1
301.6
291.4
288.0
297.6
126.0
105.4
120.9
177.0
248.0
273.0
300.7
2,842.7
Source: World Meteorological Organization (UN),[22] Hong Kong Observatory[23] for data of sunshine hours
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| Subdivisions | |
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Talukas of Goa. Talukas in purple shades belong to North Goa district, and orange denote South Goa.
Main article: Districts of Goa
The state is divided into two districts: North Goa and South Goa. Each district is governed by a district collector, an administrator appointed by the Indian government.
North Goa District: Panaji is the headquarters of the North Goa district.
The North Goa District is further divided into four subdivisions – Mapusa, Bicholim, Panaji, and Ponda; and six taluks, Pernem, Bardez (Mapusa), Bicholim, Sattari (Valpoy), Tiswadi (Panaji) and Ponda.
South Goa District: Margao is the headquarters of the South Goa district.
The South Goa District is further divided into three subdivisions – Margao, Mormugao (Vasco), and Quepem; and six taluks, Mormugao, Salcete (Margao), Quepem, Canacona (Chaudi), Sanguem, and Dharbandora.
Tags:Panaji, | |
| Municipal Corporation & Municipal Councils | |
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Goa's major cities include Ponda, Mapusa, Margao, Mormugao, Vasco and Panaji. The region connecting the last four cities is considered a de facto conurbation, or a more or less continuous urban area.
Municipal Corporation (1): Panaji
Municipal Councils (13): Pernem, Mapusa, Bicholim, Sanquelim, Valpai, Ponda, Mormugao (including Vasco), Margao, Cuncolim, Quepem, Curchorem Cacora, Sanguem, (Canacona)
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| Flora and fauna | |
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Main article: Flora and fauna of Goa
Equatorial forest cover in Goa stands at 1,424 km2 (549.81 sq mi),[12] most of which is owned by the government. Government owned forest is estimated at 1,224.38 km2 (472.74 sq mi) whilst private is given as 200 km2 (77.22 sq mi). Most of the forests in the state are located in the interior eastern regions of the state. The Western Ghats, which form most of eastern Goa, have been internationally recognised as one of the biodiversity hotspots of the world. In the February 1999 issue of National Geographic Magazine, Goa was compared with the Amazon and Congo basins for its rich tropical biodiversity[citation needed].
Goa's wildlife sanctuaries boast of more than 1512 documented species of plants, over 275 species of birds, over 48 kinds of animals and over 60 genera of reptiles.[24]
Rice is the main food crop with pulses, ragi and other food crops are also grown. Main cash crops are coconuts, cashewnuts, arecanuts, sugarcane and fruits like pineapples, mangos and bananas.[12] The State has a rich forest cover of more than 1,424 km². Goa's state animal is the Gaur, the state bird is the Ruby Throated Yellow Bulbul, which is a variation of Black-crested Bulbul, and the state tree is the Asan.
Rice paddies are common in rural Goa.
The important forests products are bamboo canes, Maratha barks, chillar barks and the bhirand. Coconut trees are ubiquitous and are present in almost all areas of Goa barring the elevated regions. A large number of deciduous vegetation consisting of teak, sal, cashew and mango trees are present. Fruits include jackfruits, mangos, pineapples and 'black-berry' ('podkoam' in konkani). Goa's forests are rich with medicinal plants.
Foxes, wild boars and migrating birds are found in the jungles of Goa. The avifauna includes kingfishers, mynas and parrots. Numerous types of fish are also caught off the coast of Goa and in its rivers. Crabs, lobsters, shrimps, jellyfish, oysters and catfish form some of the piscine catch. Goa also has a high snake population, which keeps the rodent population under control. Goa has many famous National Parks, including the renowned Salim Ali bird sanctuary. Other wildlife sanctuaries include the Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary, Molem Wildlife Sanctuary, Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary, Madei Wildlife Sanctuary, Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary, Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary and the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary located on the island of Chorao.
Goa has more than 33% of its geographic area under government forests (1224.38 km²) of which about 62% has been brought under Protected Areas (PA) of Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Park. Since there is a substantial area under private forests and a large tract under cashew, mango, coconut, etc. plantations, the total forest and tree cover constitutes 56.6% of the geographic area.
Tags:Konkani,Flora,Fauna,Biodiversity Hotspot, | |
| Economy | |
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Gross State Domestic Product (in millions of Rupees)[25]
Year
GSDP
1980
3,980
1985
6,550
1990
12,570
1995
33,190
2000
76,980
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zote monety |