Kasargod
Kasaragod district was formed on 24th May, 1984
About
Lying at the northern tip of Kerala bounded by the Western ghats in the east and Arabian sea in the west; twelve rivers flowing across its terrain, Kasaragod is an enchanting beauty of Nature's creations.
There are different views on the derivation of the name "KASARAGOD". One view is that it is the combination of two Sanskrit words kaasaara (which means lake or pond) and kroda (which means a place where treasure is kept). Another view is that it is the place where Kaasaraka trees (Strychnos nux vomica or Kaanjiram or Kaaraskara) are in abundance. Bothe views are relavant as there are large number of rivers, lakes and ponds in the coastal belt of the district besides thick flora consisting of innumerable varieties of trees, shribs etc. particularly plentitude of Kaasaraka trees.
Many Arab travellers, who came to Kerala between 9th and 14th centuries A.D., visited Kasargod as it was then an important trade centre. They called this area Harkwillia. Mr.Barbose, the Portuguese traveller,who visited Kumbla near Kasargod in 1514, had recorded that rice was exported to Male Island whence coir was imported. Dr.Fracis Buccanan, who was the family doctor of Lord Wellesly, visited Kasargod in 1800. In his travelogue, he has included information on the political and communal set-up in places like Athiparamba, Kavvai, Nileshwar, Bekkal, Chandragiri and Manjeshwar.
The district is marked off from the adjoining areas outside the State by the Western Ghats which run parallel to the sea and constitute an almost continuous mountain wall on the eastern side. The Ghats dominate the topography. The coastline is fringed with low cliffs alternating with stretches of sand. A few miles to the interior, the scene changes and the sand level rises towards the barrier of the Ghats and transforms into low red laterite hills interspersed with paddy fields and coconut gardens.
The landscape is dominated by the characteristic coconut palms accompanying rolling hills and streams flowing into the sea. The landscape is dotted with tiled-roof buildings, topped with the famous Kasaragod tiles made with the local hard red clay and typically walled with laterite blocks. Older houses are commonly found with elaborate woodwork.
There are 12 rivers in this district.The longest is Chandragiri (105 kms) originating from Pattimala in Coorg and embraces the sea at Thalangara, near Kasargod. The river assumes its name Chandragiri from the name of the place of its source Chandragupta Vasti; where the great Maurya emperor Chandragupta is believed to have spent his last days as a sage.
Kasargod offers a variety of patterns of arts which speaks volumes about the rich cultural heritage of regions. The spectacular pageant of Theyyam deities impassinated - raises Kasargod into a land of fabulous fantasies. The symphonic melody created by Yakshgana, Kambala (buffallo race), Cock fight etc. of the Thulanad culture, thrilling along with poorakkali, Kolkali, Duff Mutt, Oppana etc. enchants the visitors.
Yakshagana Bombeyatta or Puppet show is an art form of Kasargod District and South Canara district in Karnataka State. The movements of the dolls are monitored and controlled by strings and rods. Yakshagana is presented through puppets and hence it is known as Yakshagana Bombeyatta. Puppets made out of wood are painted and dressed according to the character in the story. Bombeyatta is controlled from a curtain chamber specially put up behind the seen for the purpose. Musical instruments are also used just as that of Yakshagana.
Kasargod is a land of different languages. The languages without script are also used here. Tulu, Kannada, Malayalam, Konkani, Tamil and other local languages are the popular. Though the people speak different languages there is no barrier on the cultural unity. Mosques, Temples and Churches stand side by side as symbols of communal cohesion.
| History |
Lying on the north western coast of the State, Kasargod was famous from time immemorial. Many Arab travellers, who came to Kerala between 9th and 14th centuries A.D., visited Kasargod as it was then an important trade centre. They called this area Harkwillia. Mr.Barbose, the Portuguese traveller,who visited Kumbla near Kasargod in 1514, had recorded that rice was exported to Male Island whence coir was imported. Dr.Fracis Buccanan, who was the family doctor of Lord Wellesly, visited Kasargod in 1800. In his travelogue, he has included information on the political and communal set-up in places like Athiparamba, Kavvai, Nileshwar, Bekkal, Chandragiri and Manjeshwar.
Kasargod was part of the Kumbala Kingdom in which there were 64 Tulu and Malayalam villages. When Vijayanagar empire attacked Kasargod, it was ruled by the Kolathiri king who had Nileswar as his headquarters. It is said that the characters appearing in Theyyam, the ritualistic folk dance of northern Kerala, represent those who had helped king Kolathiri fight against the attack of the Vijayanagar empire. During the decline of that empire in the 14 century, the administration of this  In 1645 Sivappa Naik took the reins and transferred the capital to Bednoor. Thus they came to be known as Bendoor Naiks. Chandragiri fort and Bekkal fort are considered to be part of a chain of forts constructed by Sivappa Naik for the defense of the kingdom.
In 1763 Hyder Ali of Mysore conquered Bednoor and his intention was to capture entire Kerala. But when his attempt to conquer Thalassery Fort was foiled,
Hyder Ali returned to Mysore and died there in 1782. His son, Tippu Sulthan, continued the attack and conquered Malabar. As per the Sreerangapattanam treaty of 1792, Tippu surrendered Malabar except Tulunadu (Canara) to the British.
The British got Canara only after the death of Tippu Sulthan in 1799. Kasargod was part of Bekal taluk in the South Canara district of Bombay presidency. Kasargod taluk came into being when Bekal taluk was included in the Madras presidency on April 16, 1882. Though Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar moved a resolution in 1913 on the floor of Madras Governor's Council demanding the merger of Kasargod taluk with the Malabar district, it had to be withdrawn because of the stiff opposition of the members from Karnataka. In 1927,a political convention held at Kozhikode, passed a resolution stressing the above demand.
In the same year, an organisation titled Malayalee Seva Sangham was constituted. Thanks to the efforts made by many eminent persons like K.P.Keshva Menon, Kasargod became part of Kerala following the reorganisation of states and formation of Kerala in November 1,1956. |
District Collector, Kasaragod : P.S.Mohammed Sagir I.A.S,
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| Geographical Area | 1992 Sq.Kms. | |
| Taluks | Kasargod, Hosdurg | |
| Revenue Villages | 75 Nos. | |
| Municipalities | Kasargod, Kanhangad | |
| Development blocks | Manjeshwar, Kasargod, Kanhangad, and Nileshwar | |
| Panchayaths | 39 Nos. | |
| Post Offices | 234 | |
| Telephone Exchanges | 46 | |
| TV Relay centres | 2 | |
| Population, Literacy and Other figures | 1991 Census | 2001 Census |
| Total Population | 10,71,508 | 12,03,342 |
| Male | 5,28,803 | 5,87,763 |
| Female | 5,42,705 | 6,15,579 |
| Density / Sq.Km. | 538 | 604 |
| Sex Ratio/1000 males | 1026 | 1047 |
| Growth Rate | 22.78%(1981-1991) | 12.30%(1991-2001) |
| Child population : Total | 1,65,090 | 1,50,907 |
| Male | 84,158 | 76,071 |
| Female | 80,932 | 74,836 |
| Child Ratio/1000 males | 962 | 984 |
| Scheduled Caste | 81,970 | N.A |
| Scheduled Tribe | 29,283 | N.A |
| House holds | 1,81,667 | N.A |
| Literacy Rate : Total | 82.51% | 85.17% |
| Male | 88.97% | 90.84% |
| Female | 76.29% | 79.80% |
| Marginal workers: Total | 30,796 | 89,564 |
| Male | 13,162 | 47,337 |
| Female | 17,634 | 42,227 |
| Work participation rate (1000 males) | 542 | 443 |
| No. of Non-workers: Total | 7,14,212 | 7,85,623 |
| Male | 2,85,219 | 2,98,239 |
| Female | 4,28,993 | 4,87,384 |
Thanks
For
The Official Website of Kasargod
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