Hansot

’Hansanagari’ but well known as Hansot is a village in Bharuch district, Southern Gujarat, India. It is about southwest of the city of Bharuch, and south of the Narmada River. The village and its surrounding ''taluka'' were acquired by the British in 1775, and subsequently returned to the local princely rulers in 1783, being finally incorporated into the Broach district of the Bombay Presidency in 1803..

History

Hansot was once a small village known as 'Hansnagari' during the British colonial era. Soon, it grew into a town, and now, it stands as a Taluka with a population of about 15,000. For the period, Gregorian centuries 16, 17 and 18. In Ain-i-Akbari, it is mentioned as a ''mahal'' headquarters, and a port of ''sarkar'' Broach. In Mirat-i-Ahmadi, it is mentioned as a ''mahal'' headquarters.

History of Hansot

In medieval times Hansot was an important port. During Mughal era they used to travel to Egypt, Africa and several Arab countries from here for trade. During this period landlords and rich people owned huge mansions due to which Hansot was known as a very prosperous town. Because of its prosperity many traders were robbed by pagan pirates at sea as well as in the town. Around 1600 C.E. Mughal emperor Jahangir, in leadership of Chauhans from Aamer (Rajasthan) sent an army with back up from Sindhis of Karachi on the naval front.

Geography

Hansot is located around from where the Narmada river merges with the Arabian sea. It is the largest village between Surat and Ankleshwar. Ankleshwar is Asia's largest industrial estate, and one of 190 industrial complexes in Gujarat's "Golden Corridor", so called because of the money brought by rapid development, and an industrial belt running from Vapi at the southern end of Gujarat to Mahesana, about to the north, located west from Hansot. Surat City is from Hansot.

Economy and infrastructure

It has modern amenities, including electricity, telephone, bus station, primary and higher secondary schools, hospitals and libraries. An attraction in Hansot is the Dargah (Tomb) of a Muslim Sufi Sheikh known as "Hazrat Mansur Shah Urf Chotumiyan." An annual Urs (Death Anniversary) attracts up to 350,000 people of all faiths. The people seek shelter in the complex of the dargah and are fed throughout the course of three days. Farming is the main occupation and many people migrate to find jobs. Since the Narmada river is nearby, Hansot is also famous for its fish.

Taluka

Hansot's Taluka consists of 52 villages. The word 'Taluka' means 'jurisdiction'. Several areas come under Hansot Taluka:
* Alva or Ilvaa
* Ambheta
* Aniyandra
* Asarma
* Balota
* Chhilodara
* Dantrai
* Digas
* Ilav (also 'Ilaaw', 'Elav' and 'Elaw').
* Katpor
* Kantiajal
* Mangrol
* Sahol
* Shera
* Sunevkhurd (nani Sunev)
* Sunevkalla (moti Sunev)
* Rayma
* Ankalva
* Utraj
* Vaghwan or Waagwan
* Valner or Waalner
* Vansnali or Waansnoli
* Wamleshwar
Digas
Mothiya

Culture

After a hard day's work, the men traditionally retired to rest, often signified by adoption of the sarong-like Lungi. This indicates southern Arabian ( Hadhramawti) or Malay influences. A romantic passion for racing horses on the days of Eid, from the ancient historic Eid Gah and across the beaches washed by the Arabian Sea. This indicates Arabian and Mughal influences.

Language

The language is an archaic proto-Urdu Urdu. It is said by some to belong to the middle zone i.e. " Bombay Urdu", as with related cognates. The language has defiantly retained Arabic and Turkic words, neither of which exist in many later Urdu

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