Manickpur: Difference between revisions

| subdivision_type1 = [[States and union territories of India|State]]

| subdivision_type2 = [[List of districts ofin India|District]]

'''Manickpur''' is a small village in the [[Vasai (Bassein)]] towntownship inof the [[Palghar district]] in the [[India]]n [[States ofMaharashtra, India|state]] of [[Maharashtra]].

Not much of the rich and great history of Manickpur is documented. It ishas only been passed ondown through the generations by word of[[oral mouthtradition]]. There are instances of this village in some old [[manuscripts]].

In some old [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]] manuscripts, thisthe placearea was calledknown 'puri'as Puri, although no explanation has been found on why it was called so. One of the assumptionsassumption is that earlier there might have been a temple on the lines of the [[Jagannath Temple]] in [[Puri]] in [[Orissa, India|Orissa]], and hence this placeit was named soafter it. In Portuguese and English manuscripts this placeit was also referred to as ''porim''Porim.

ThisThe name gradually changed to ''manickpuri''Manickpuri, but there is no instance of any written documentation on thisit. It is also said that many [[South Indians]] settled here due to the proximity of [[Bombay]] (as it was earlier known) which was rich in terms of industries, mills, and factories. The name then gradually changed from ''Porim'' to ''Manickpurm''.

When the [[Western Railway (India)|railway]] was laid by the [[United Kingdom|British]], the station that is now known as [[Vasai Road railway station]] was then known as ''Manickpur Road''., Soso it was through the British that the name changed to its present status. Actually theThe Vasai Road station was known as [[Vasai|Bassein]] road after renaming Manickpur roadRoad. Still, the Indian railways still refer to Vasai Road as Bassein road, evenshown on the station indicators show this.

Geographically or Topographically as you may call it, Manickpur is situated on a hillock and the base is of stone; therefore, it is believed to have very strong foundations. Due to this, it has withstood many floods, and even earthquakes.

The main inhabitants of the village of Manickpur can be sub-dividedsubdivided into four categories: [[Kunbi]], Khumbar, [[Lunar dynasty|Vadval]], and Koli[[Agri people|Agri]].

[[Kunbi]]s were the original inhabitants of this village. Starting from the Parvati Cross to the ''Chowk, Fadbao, Kharbao, Chinchkombda'' to ''Naupada'' is where these peoplethey originally built their houses. ''Almeida, Colaco, D'Mello, Lopes, and Menezes'' are some of the surnames associated with these people.

[[Khumbar]]s lived across the Talao or the pond of Manickpur in line with the Church Road as the materials for making earthenware waswere easily found here. ''D'Souza, Gracias, Pereira, and Alphanso'' are some of the surnames associated with Khumbars.

[[Vadval]]sVadvals lived to the south of the church. This place was calledin Barampur. They were engrossedengaged in agriculture and related activities. ''Ghosal, Carval, Vaz, and Cerejo'' are some of the surnames associated with VandalsVadvals.

[[KoliAgri people|KoliAgri]]s lived along the creek and carriedwere outinvolved thein businessSalt ofproducing, farming and fishing. ''ShivachyaPatil, GharachaGharat, Ghastya''Mhatre, Mankar, Bhoir and Kini are some of the surnames associated with this community.

The people of Barampur (the Vadvals) would marrymarried people in the south of Vasai. Khumbars have their streak from [[Agashi]] to [[Marol]]. Kunbi'sKunbis would findfound their spouses withinin the nearby villages of [[Chulne]], [[Gokhivere]], and mostly within Manickpur.

== Allied occupations ==

Even though Manickpur was built on stony land, there was sweet, semi-salty, and salty land around it. Similarly, there were [[Dry lake|Saltsalt pans]] across it. The number of people of Manickpur actually working in the saltpanssalt pans was very low, but those engaged in associated activities were high. Transportation of salt and the making of wooden covers for salt were some of the activities. ''Sutar-Ali'' (carpenters), ''Kumbhar-Ali'' (potters), and ''KolisAgris'' (Salt farming and fishing) were engaged in their traditional activities. The [[Western Railway Zone (India)|railway]] added to their source of income.

In 1739, Manickpur was raided by the [[Marathas]], who came in through the east, led by [[Chimnaji Appa]]. They destroyed all the churches that were on their way to [[Vasai Fort]], and Manickpur was one of them. However, it was later rebuilt in 1851 by [[Rev. Fr. E.R. Hull]] (a reference to this can be found in [[B.M.H Vol. 1.P.5]])

* [[EastAgri Indians(caste)|Agri]]

* [[VasaiBombay RoadEast Indians]]