Dharmaj

Dharmaj
Paris of Asia
Town
Country  India
State Gujarat
District Anand
Elevation 25.60 m (83.99 ft)
Population (2010)
 • Total 11,334
Languages
 • Official

Gujarati, Hindi, English

Mayor(Sarpanch) = Jayvirbhai.C.Patel
Time zone UTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN 388430
Telephone code 02697
Nearest city Anand
Website

Dharmaj is a town in Gujarat. The name of the town refers to Dharma. It is a village of district Anand, and taluka of Petlad on Borsad-Tarapur Highway 8A. With a population of only 11,000 this small village has all the facilities which even a city can not boast of. The infrastructure consists of uncontaminated drinking water, underground drainage system and tar roads. The lanes, however, are stone laid. The smallest and secluded lanes are well-lit with street lights. The population of Dharmaj consists of mainly patidars. The rest of the population is a mix of Vaniyas, Brahmins, Suthar, Valand, Garasiya, Vanakar, Harijan, Rohit etc.[1]

Geography

Dharmaj is situated in Kheda, Gujarat, India, Its geographical coordinates are 22° 25' 0" North, 72° 48' 0" East.[2] It has an average elevation of 84'.

Dharmaj village land information:[1]

Total land: 3568.2 Acres

Developed land: 380.82 Acres

Agricultural land: 3150.5 Acres.

Forests, roads, streams: 32.19 Acres.

Main crops: Tobacco, Banana, Rice.

Early history

The history of the settlement of Dharmaj is ancient. People say it was settled by Dharma Rabari in 1130 AD. He used to take his cows there for grazing. He had found a Shiva Ling while digging in the remote area of jungle. Thus, recognized as the founder of this region, the village of Dharmaj was named after Dharma Rabari. In 1155 AD. Narsihbhai Patel of Jargal came to settle down in this village. The house he used to live is now known as Juni Khadki. Rangaji Patel's descendants are the Patidars of the five Khadki’s:

  • Athamani Khadki - formed Sundardas Rangadas.
  • Vachali Khadki - Tadjandas Surdas.
  • Kaduchini Khadki - Kaduchi Nathji Tadshidas.
  • Kakani Khadki - Ratandas Surdas.
  • Solamagjini Khadki - Solidas Bhavandas.

For centuries, the Patidars of Dharmaj developed detailed knowledge about agriculture and passed the knowledge down to posterity. The lands remained fertile, even while the maximum amount of crops were extracted. Tobacco was the main crop. As there was Urvakunji Nicotine Industries in Dharmaj, nicotine was produced by them. The Patidars of Dharmaj took on a leading role in the Independence Movement. They provided shelter to the freedom fighters. A young man named Ramanbhai Purshottambhai was shot during firing at ADAS.[3]

The town had a dedicated social worker, Chimanbhai Kishorbhai Patel, who was elected surpanch for a number of years. Shri Hirabhai Muljibhai Patel was a special pride to Dharmaj. Shri [H. M. Patel|H.M. Patel], an I.C.S. officer was appointed as the [Finance Secretary] of the Indian republic. He was the first finance minister of India and Home and Deputy Prime Minister during the Janta Rule. He was also awarded the world famous Albert Sweitzer Medal for his work on the preservation of the Natural Wealth and Wildlife Foundation. He was appointed as the President of the Indian Board for Wildlife, boasting a great embellishment to his accolades. Shri H.M. Patel was also the chairman of different educational institutions of Charotar Vidyamandal at [Vallabh Vidhyanagar].

The town has various institutions in the fields of education, social culture, and religion. These institutions were established by generous donations from the Patidars of Dharmaj, both from the homeland and abroad.[1]

Modern history

There as many as 1,700 families hailing from this village settled in Britain, around 300 families in the U.S., 160 in New Zealand, 200 in Canada, and 60 in Australia, among others, taking the total number of families staying abroad to around 3,120. Thus, making it the richest village of Asia.[4]

Education

The schools of Dharmaj have been modeled to English Medium Schools by taking into consideration the importance of knowing the language of English in this modern world. The H. M. Patel English Medium School[5] is the school with many modern facilities as computer labs, workshops, laboratories, libraries, conference room, language room, and a prayer hall. These facilities support its presence in the use of 21st century technological and social advances.

Along with these schools, Dharmaj provides opportunity for further education with the presence of a college situated inside its district.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Dharmaj village info book. Dharmaj: Gram Panchayat. 2008. p. 7.
  2. ↑ Team, Maplandia.com. "Dharmaj Map | India Google Satellite Maps". www.maplandia.com. Retrieved 2016-04-21.
  3. ↑ "Chh Gam Patidar Samaj". www.chhgamsamaj.com. Retrieved 2016-04-28.
  4. ↑ "Dalit families flee state's rich NRI village Dharmaj - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 2016-05-02.
  5. ↑ "H.M.Patel E.M.S. Complex Dharamaj". emsdharmaj.org.in. Retrieved 2016-04-27.
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