Quepem
| Quepem केपें | |
|---|---|
| town | |
  Quepem Location in Goa, India | |
| Coordinates: 15°13′N 74°04′E / 15.22°N 74.07°ECoordinates: 15°13′N 74°04′E / 15.22°N 74.07°E | |
| Country |
 India |
| State | Goa |
| District | South Goa |
| Founded by | Deão Jose Paulo |
| Elevation | 21 m (69 ft) |
| Population (2001)[1] | |
| • Total | 21,407 |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Konkani |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
| PIN | 403 705 |
| Vehicle registration | GA-09 |
Quepem ([kɛpɛ̃]) is a town with a municipal council in South Goa district in the Indian state of Goa. The town is the administrative capital for the Quepem taluka. The town was established by a Portuguese noble man Deão Jose Paulo, the dean (Deão) of the church in 1787 after he moved there just 5 years after the conquest of Qupem taluka by the Portuguese. He build his famous Palácio do Deão, followed by a public market, hospital, Church and other facilities for the benefit of the iinhabitants through his own expense. He was later awarded the unofficial title of Barão de Quepem by the then viceroy D. Manuel Francisco Zacarias de Portugal e Castro. Curchorem and Sanvordem are the major towns located near the Quepem town.
Geography
Quepem is located at .[2] It has an average elevation of 21 metres (69 feet). Located on the bank of River Kushawati.
Demographics
As of the 2001 census, Quepem had a population of 21,407 in 4,851 households.[1] The municipality had a sex ratio of 952 females per 1,000 males.[1] Quepem has an average literacy rate of 71%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 76%, and female literacy is 66%. In Quepem, 12% of the population is under 6 years of age.[3]
Culture
The city is known for the annual Ganeshotsav Festival, Carnival, Shigmostav celebrated with pomp and gaiety. The center of such celebrations is the Municipal Garden, at the center of the town. The village feast of Holy Cross is also celebrated with great zeal on September 14.
History
Qupem city before 1787 was a scattered settlement surrounded in vegetation.It was situated in the princely state ruled by the soonda's which was an reality a dependence of Portuguese India. When Hyder Ali began raiding and annexing the state,the princely family turned to the Portuguese who immediately took on Hyder Ali's forces and repelled them back, as well as financed the administration of the state.Having no heir to succeed, the then ruler gave complete control of the provinces to the Portuguese for their generosity in 1783.
In 1787, Deaõ. Jose Paulo de Almeida transferred his residence from Old Goa to Quepem and founded a hamlet. Quepem was, in those days, covered with forest. He ordered the planting of rice, coconut palms and other fruit trees.
He established a public market, hospital and other facilities for the benefit of the inhabitants.
He also founded the St. Cruz Church, at his own cost, as inscribed on the pyramidal structure in the churchyard.
It is believed that the Deão, began by erecting two columns at the entrance of Quepem. Thereafter, he obtained permission that criminal offenders who entered this village across these columns to work could rehabilitate themselves in this village which he had founded. Thus, he was able to establish Quepem as arable, self sustaining and habitable place.
It is not known the origin of this story, but one is able to still see the bases of these columns at the entrance of Quepem.
He constructed in Quepem, for his occasional stay, a spacious house that he modestly described as a ‘Farm House’. It was later, justifiably, come to be known as the ‘Palácio Do Deão’
Attractions
The main tourist attraction in the area are the Holy Cross Church, the Old Dam(Band) and the Palácio Do Deão. Quepem is also known for its scenic beauty.
References
- 1 2 3 "View Population". Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. Retrieved 27 March 2012.
- ↑ Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Quepem
- ↑ "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 2004-06-16. Retrieved 2008-11-01.