Free Dadra and Nagar Haveli was a de facto independent political entity that existed on the Indian subcontinent between 1954 and 1961. It was declared by pro-India forces that had gained control of the region from Portugal in 1954, and ceased to exist after being formally annexed by India on 11 August 1961 as the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli.
Free Dadra and Nagar Haveli Mukta dādarā āṇi nagara havēlī | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1954–1961 | |||||||||
 | |||||||||
| Status | De facto state claimed by Portugal | ||||||||
| Capital | Silvassa 20°16′N 73°01′E / 20.27°N 73.02°E | ||||||||
| Common languages | English, Gujarati, Hindi, Dhodia | ||||||||
| Government | Provisional government | ||||||||
| Administrator[1] | |||||||||
• 1954 | R. V. Mudras | ||||||||
• 1954 | Vishwanath Lawande | ||||||||
• 1954-1955 | Appasaheb Karmalkar | ||||||||
• 1955-1960 | Antonio Furtado | ||||||||
• 1960-1961 | K. G. Badlani | ||||||||
| Prime Minister | |||||||||
• 1961 | K. G. Badlani | ||||||||
| Legislature | Varishta Panchayat | ||||||||
| Historical era | Cold War | ||||||||
• Liberation of Dadra | 22 July 1954 | ||||||||
• Liberation of Nagar Haveli | 2 August 1954 | ||||||||
• Annexed by India | 11 August 1961 | ||||||||
| Currency | Portuguese Indian rupia, later Indian rupee | ||||||||
| |||||||||
History
editDadra and Nagar Haveli were small Portuguese overseas territories that had been part of Portuguese India since 1779. They were administered by a Portuguese Governor based in nearby Daman. Following Indian independence in 1947, they were completely surrounded by sovereign territory belonging to India.
On 22 July 1954, pro-India forces took control of the main police station in Dadra. They would proceed to take control of Naroli on 22 July and the capital of Silvassa on 2 August, at which point the region was declared liberated from Portuguese rule and assumed the name “Free Dadra and Nagar Haveli”.[2] A body called the Varishta Panchayat of Free Dadra and Nagar Haveli was formed to administer the territory. The Indian National Flag was hoisted in Silvassa and the Indian national anthem was sung, becoming the symbols of the state.[3][4][5]
In June 1961, the Varishta Panchayat of Free Dadra and Nagar Haveli voted to accede to India. An Indian civil servant, K.G. Badlani would assume the title “Prime Minister of Free Dadra and Nagar Haveli” on 11 August 1961 in order to formally sign an Instrument of Accession allowing annexation by India to take place.[4][6] Free Dadra and Nagar Haveli was annexed by India on 11 August 1961 by virtue of the Tenth Amendment of the Constitution of India, becoming the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli.[7]
Portugal refused to recognise the loss of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and continued to claim the areas as part of Portuguese India an were still recognised internationally (e.g., by the International Court of Justice) as Portuguese possessions.[8] Portugal formally recognised Indian sovereignty over the area on 31 December 1974 following the Carnation revolution.[9]
Government and politics
editAfter Dadra and Nagar Haveli was declared liberated from Portuguese rule, a body called the Varishta Panchayat of Free Dadra and Nagar Haveli was formed to administer the region. The administration of Free Dadra and Nagar Haveli was also supported by civil servants from the Indian Administrative Service.
Postal history
editMail from Free Dadra and Nagar Haveli was routed through the Indian town of Vapi close to the border. Initially, remaining stocks of stamps of Portuguese India were overprinted LIBERATED AREAS in two lines.[10] A single revenue stamp was also issued by Free Dadra and Nagar Haveli.[11]
References
edit- ^ Cahoon, Ben. "States of India since 1947". WorldStatesmen.org. Retrieved 23 November 2014.
- ^ "Dadra and Nagar Haveli Celebrated Its 60th Liberation Day". Jagranjosh.com. 2013-08-02. Retrieved 2020-03-02.
- ^ P S Lele, Dadra and Nagar Haveli: past and present, published by Usha P. Lele, 1987
- ^ a b Dasgupta, Reshmi R. "Dadra and Nagar Haveli: When an IAS officer became the instrument of accession - The Economic Times". The Economic Times. Economictimes.indiatimes.com. Retrieved 2020-03-02.
- ^ "Dadra and Nagar Haveli (India)".
- ^ "When an IAS Officer Was The Prime Minister of Dadra & Nagar Haveli". Thebetterindia.com. 2018-03-28. Retrieved 2020-03-02.
- ^ "The Constitution (Amendment)". Archive.india.gov.in. Archived from the original on 2020-02-29. Retrieved 2020-03-02.
- ^ "Case cing Right of Passage over Indian Territory (Merits), Judgement of 12 April 1960" (PDF). International Court of Justice Reports 1960: 6. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 December 2011. Retrieved 1 April 2011.
- ^ "TREATY BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF PORTUGAL ON RECOGNITION OF INDIA'S SOVEREIGNTY OVER GOA, DAMAN, DIU, DADRA AND NAGAR HAVELI AND RELATED MATTERS [1974] INTSer 53". Commonlii.org. Retrieved 2020-03-02.
- ^ Bayanwala, Ashok Kumar. "Portuguese Possessions in India – July 1954". Geocities. Retrieved 29 February 2020.
- ^ Barefoot, John (2019). British Commonwealth Revenues (10 ed.). York: J. Barefoot Ltd. p. 246. ISBN 9780906845769.