PLACES OF INTEREST

DHARANGAON

Dharangaon (Erandol taluka, 22°55' N, 76°10' E; p. 21,186), is 35 miles north-east of Dhulia and one mile from Erandol Road railway station (Surat-Bhusaval line). Dharangaon is noted as a place where early cotton experiments were made and saw-gins and pressing machines were early brought into use. There is considerable cotton and oilseed trade with Jalgaon, which is 20 miles to the east where many of the Dharangaon merchants have agents. Dharangaon was also noted formerly for its hand-made paper and cloth.

Population.

Of the total population of 21,186 according to the census figures of 1951, the agricultural classes number 7,337 and the non-agricultural classes 13,849. Of the latter, 5,099 persons derive their principal means of livelihood from production other than cultivation: 3,059 persons from commerce; 475 persons from transport; and 5,216 persons from other services and miscellaneous sources.

Municipality.

Dharangaon is a municipal town. The municipal area is 1.85 sq. miles. The Dharangaon municipality was established in 1866 and is now governed by the Bombay District Municipal Act, 1901. The municipality consists of 20 councillors, all elected. The municipal district is divided into five wards. Two seats are reserved for women, one to rotate in ward Nos. I and II, and the other to rotate in ward Nos. II, IV and V; and one seat is reserved for Scheduled Castes in ward Nos. III and V. The municipality has besides the Managing Committee three other committees, one for the dispensary, a second for schools and a third for road-widening.

During 1956-57 the income of the municipality, excluding extraordinary and debt heads, amounted to Rs. 2,57,173, consisting of rates and taxes, Rs. 1,65,764; revenue derived from municipal property and powers apart from taxation. Rs. 44,372; grants and contributions, Rs. 35,376; and miscellaneous, Rs. 11,161. The total expenditure, excluding extraordinary and debt heads, was Rs. 1,07,081, composed of general administration, Rs. 16,264, public safety, Rs. 5,796; public health and convenience, Rs. 71,000; public instruction, Rs. 12.821; and contributions, Rs. 1,200.

Dharangaon has no water works for the present. For drinking purposes the people have to fetch water from wells outside the town situated near-by a tank, called the Bibi Tank. The water from other wells in the town is brackish and not potable. There were 52 public wells in 1958. A water supply scheme costing Rs. 21,92,655 has been approved and work thereon is in progress (1958). Water from the Bibi Tank is used to water the roads.

The total length of the open and stone-lined gutters is about 40,042 feet. The gutters are cleaned daily and the water from all the gutters is drained into a nala called Dharni Nala.

There is compulsory primary education managed by the District School Board. The municipality pays to the Board its statutory contribution which during 1956-57 amounted to Rs. 10,216. The municipality also pays a grant to the P. R. High School, a privately managed high school, up to Rs. 1,000 per annum. It maintains a maternity home since 1950.

The municipality maintains a public library which is named "Zumakaran Library". It is open to all and receives a Government grant of Rs. 450 per annum. The municipality maintains a Tractor Trailer Unit for fire-fighting services.

There are ten places for cremation and burial managed by the municipality. Nine of these are used by the Hindus and one by the Muslims. There is also a private burial place managed by the American Missionary Society for their own use.

The municipal dispensary receives grant-in-aid from Government. A veterinary dispensary is also maintained by the municipality.

A weekly market and a daily market are run by the municipality. There is a separate market for mutton and beef.

There is an old dilapidated building in the town which was the residence of Sir James Outram who was once Agent for the North-Eastern Division with his headquarters at Dharangaon. In the heart of the town is a dargah said to have been built by Aurangzeb. Adjacent to the railway station is the burial place of a Bhil leader named Khaja Naik who was hanged by the British. There is also a Shiva temple called Pataleshvar temple constructed 300 years ago.

Objects.

At the time of the Moghal conquest (1600) Dharangaon was famous for its jirifaf and bhiran clothes. [ Gladwin, Ain-i-Akbari, II. 52.] During the seventeenth century, under the forms Dongaong, Dorongon, and Drongom, it is several times mentioned as a trade centre of considerable importance. Here, in 1674, the English established a factory. The following year (March 1675)'the town was plundered by Sivaji. [ Bruce, Annals, II. 36, 37.] Four years later (1679), Sivaji, joining his forces with those of the Raja of Berar, again plundered Dharangaon, then one of the most flourishing places in the country.[Orme, Historical Fragments, 84. In 1683 the Drongon investment was 10,000 pieces broad bastas, 10,000 pieces sevgazis, and 1,00,000 lbs. (2500 maunds) of turmeric. 256-57.] Six years later (1685), Sam-bhajl still more s; vagely plundered the town, burning or pillaging every house. [Orme, Historical Fragments, 143. The factors at Dharangaon had but two hours to escape.] Under the Marathas Dharangaon suffered much from Bhil raids, and was the scene of one of the frightful Bhil massacres by which the Marathas vainly attempted to keep order. It came into British possession in 1818,[Grant Duff, III. 464.] and here, from 1825 to 1830. Lieutenant, afterwards, Sir James Outram busied himself in raising the Bhil Corps. [Mr. J. Pollen, C. S.]

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