Quepem

Quepem केपें
city
Quepem Show map of Goa Quepem Show map of India Location in Goa, India
Coordinates: 15°13′N 74°04′E / 15.22°N 74.07°E / 15.22; 74.07Coordinates: 15°13′N 74°04′E / 15.22°N 74.07°E / 15.22; 74.07
Country	India
State	Goa
District	South Goa
Founded by	Deão Jose Paulo
Elevation	21 m (69 ft)
Population (2011)[1]
• Total	14,795
Languages
• Official	Konkani
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
PIN	403 705
Vehicle registration	GA-09
Website	goa.gov.in

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 built his famous Palácio do Deão, followed by a public market, hospital, Church and other facilities for the benefit of the inhabitants 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 has an average elevation of 21 metres (69 feet). It is located on the bank of River Kushawati.

Demographics

As of the 2011 census, Quepem had a population of 14,795 in 3,613 households.^[2] The municipality had a sex ratio of 1033 females per 1,000 males. Quepem has an average literacy rate of 83.56%, lower than state average of 88.70%: male literacy is 87.36%, and female literacy is 79.88%. In Quepem, 10.23% 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