Dharmaj
Encyclopedia
Dharmaj is a town in Gujarat.
. He used to take his cows there for grazing. The name of the town Dharmaj refers to Dharma. In 1155 A.D. Narsinhbhai Patel, originally from Jargal
, came to Dharmaj to settle down. The house in which he used to live is now called Juni Khadki Rangaji Patel from Virol (near Sojitra
) came to Dharmaj to settle in 1675A.D. Rangaji Patel’s descendents are the Patidars of the five Khadki’s:
The Patidars of Dharmaj have very thorough knowledge of agriculture
. Even while the maximum crop was extracted, the land had remained fertile. Tobacco
is the main crop of the town. Nicotine was processed from tobacco by Urvakunji Nicotine Industries in Dharmaj. The town is not only agricultural, but industrial too.
The Patidars of Dharmaj took on a leading role in the Independence Movement. They provided shelter to the freedom fighters. A young man named Ramanbhai Purshttambhai was shot during firing at ADAS.
The town had a dedicated social worker, Chimanbhai Kishorbhai Patel, who was elected surpunch for number of years. Shri Hirabhai Muljibhai Patel was a special pride to Dharmaj. Shri H.M. Patel
, an I.C.S. officer was appointed as the Finance Secretary
of the Indian republic. He was the finance, Home and Deputy Prime Minister during the Janta Rule. He was also awarded the world famous Albert Sweitzer Medal for his work on the preservation of the Natural Wealth and Wildlife Foundation. he was appointed as the President of the Indian Board for Wildlife. Shri H.M. Patel was also the chairman of different educational institutions of Charotar Vidyamandal at Vallabh Vidyanagar
.
Shri H.M. Patel has successfully completed the cream of architects. Shri Bhaikaka and Shri Bhikhakaka of Vallabh Vidyanagar by starting and completing the Medical College and hospital at Karamsad. Shri H.M. Patel was the Chairman of Kelavni Mandal started the “H.M. Patel English Medium School Complex” like Public Schools in India. Chandrakant Ambalal Patel of World Bank of USA works at International Monetary fund
in Washington, D.C. Rameshbhai Purshottamdas Patel is one of the five world’s best physicians. He is residing in Australia. Kantibhai Ambalal Patel and Kanubhai Ambalal Patel of Patel Printing Press
at Ahmedabad had achieved maximum numbers of awards in Print Industry. Kumari Krupaliben N. Patel received Sardar Patel
and Arjun Award in the field of Gymnastics at National level. Jashbhai Gordhanbhai Patel, Surendra Ratilal Patel, Ravindra (Raja)Purshottam Patel, Chandrakant S. Patel and Chandrakant Chhotabhai Patel must be remembered for their services rendered towards the progress of the town.
The town has various institutions in the fields of education, social, and religion. These institutions were established by generous donations from the Patidars of Dharmaj, both from the homeland and abroad. Mr Rajabhai Patel has contributed a great deal to the village despite residing out of Dharmaj, he has built an old peoples home and a temple complex which has become a meeting point for the whole village.
Where can one see a village, with a population of 5,000, running a vibrant English medium school for children and a college, ultra-modern medical facilities, water park, recreation zone and state-of-the-art civic infrastructure?
The medical facilities include a kidney centre, a cancer research facility, a maternity hospital, a polio and orthopaedic hospital, an eye hospital that has operated on 1.47 lakh patients, a glaucoma research centre, a dental hospital and a mineral water plant provides 20 litre treated water at just Rs 2 to the economically backward.
It is a silent revolution that has seen NRGs from the village, which are now spread across the globe, pitching in just to assure that their relatives get all the facilities that any city can boast of.
Early history
The history regarding the settlement of Dharmaj is very ancient. Some say it was settled by Dharma Rabari in 1130 A.D. Dharma Rabari found Shiva Ling, while digging in the remote area of the jungleJungle
A Jungle is an area of land in the tropics overgrown with dense vegetation.The word jungle originates from the Sanskrit word jangala which referred to uncultivated land. Although the Sanskrit word refers to "dry land", it has been suggested that an Anglo-Indian interpretation led to its...
. He used to take his cows there for grazing. The name of the town Dharmaj refers to Dharma. In 1155 A.D. Narsinhbhai Patel, originally from Jargal
Jargal
Jargal is a common part of Mongolian names, signifying:People* Rinchinnyamyn Amarjargal, a former prime minister of Mongolia* Enkh Jargal, a Mongolian traditional musician* Jargal Otgon, a Mongolian olympic archer...
, came to Dharmaj to settle down. The house in which he used to live is now called Juni Khadki Rangaji Patel from Virol (near Sojitra
Sojitra
Sojitra is a village in the Indian state of Gujarat. It is in the Anand district, situated at 22°33′N 72°43′E. Its nearest villages are Isnav , Dabhou , Gada , Devataj , and Limbali . The village is home to several schools, including Smt. H.J. Patel Primary School for Girls, inaugurated by His...
) came to Dharmaj to settle in 1675A.D. Rangaji Patel’s descendents are the Patidars of the five Khadki’s:
- Athamani Khadki - formed Sundardas Rangadas.
- Vachali Khadki - Tadjandas Surdas.
- Kaduchini Khadki - Kaduchi Nathji Tadshidas.
- Kakani Khadki - Ratandas Surdas.
- Solamagjini Khadki - Solidas Bhavandas.
The Patidars of Dharmaj have very thorough knowledge of agriculture
Agriculture
Agriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...
. Even while the maximum crop was extracted, the land had remained fertile. Tobacco
Tobacco
Tobacco is an agricultural product processed from the leaves of plants in the genus Nicotiana. It can be consumed, used as a pesticide and, in the form of nicotine tartrate, used in some medicines...
is the main crop of the town. Nicotine was processed from tobacco by Urvakunji Nicotine Industries in Dharmaj. The town is not only agricultural, but industrial too.
The Patidars of Dharmaj took on a leading role in the Independence Movement. They provided shelter to the freedom fighters. A young man named Ramanbhai Purshttambhai was shot during firing at ADAS.
The town had a dedicated social worker, Chimanbhai Kishorbhai Patel, who was elected surpunch for number of years. Shri Hirabhai Muljibhai Patel was a special pride to Dharmaj. Shri H.M. Patel
H. M. Patel
Hirubhai Mulljibhai Patel was an Indian civil servant who played a major role in the issues regarding internal and national security in the first years after the independence of India. From 1977 to 1980, served as the Finance Minister and later the Home Minister of India.-Early life:Patel was a...
, an I.C.S. officer was appointed as the Finance Secretary
Finance Secretary
R.S GUjaral is finance secretary of India .In India, the Permanent Secretary - level civil serBy default, the FS tends to be the seniormost of the five, where seniority is defined by the year of entry into the civil service and not age...
of the Indian republic. He was the finance, Home and Deputy Prime Minister during the Janta Rule. He was also awarded the world famous Albert Sweitzer Medal for his work on the preservation of the Natural Wealth and Wildlife Foundation. he was appointed as the President of the Indian Board for Wildlife. Shri H.M. Patel was also the chairman of different educational institutions of Charotar Vidyamandal at Vallabh Vidyanagar
Vallabh Vidhyanagar
Vallabh Vidhyanagar is a town and a municipality in Anand district in the Indian state of Gujarat. It is located between Ahmedabad and Vadodara, 6 km from the town of Anand.-History:...
.
Shri H.M. Patel has successfully completed the cream of architects. Shri Bhaikaka and Shri Bhikhakaka of Vallabh Vidyanagar by starting and completing the Medical College and hospital at Karamsad. Shri H.M. Patel was the Chairman of Kelavni Mandal started the “H.M. Patel English Medium School Complex” like Public Schools in India. Chandrakant Ambalal Patel of World Bank of USA works at International Monetary fund
International Monetary Fund
The International Monetary Fund is an organization of 187 countries, working to foster global monetary cooperation, secure financial stability, facilitate international trade, promote high employment and sustainable economic growth, and reduce poverty around the world...
in Washington, D.C. Rameshbhai Purshottamdas Patel is one of the five world’s best physicians. He is residing in Australia. Kantibhai Ambalal Patel and Kanubhai Ambalal Patel of Patel Printing Press
Printing press
A printing press is a device for applying pressure to an inked surface resting upon a print medium , thereby transferring the ink...
at Ahmedabad had achieved maximum numbers of awards in Print Industry. Kumari Krupaliben N. Patel received Sardar Patel
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
Vallabhbhai Jhaverbhai Patel was an Indian barrister and statesman, one of the leaders of the Indian National Congress and one of the founding fathers of India...
and Arjun Award in the field of Gymnastics at National level. Jashbhai Gordhanbhai Patel, Surendra Ratilal Patel, Ravindra (Raja)Purshottam Patel, Chandrakant S. Patel and Chandrakant Chhotabhai Patel must be remembered for their services rendered towards the progress of the town.
The town has various institutions in the fields of education, social, and religion. These institutions were established by generous donations from the Patidars of Dharmaj, both from the homeland and abroad. Mr Rajabhai Patel has contributed a great deal to the village despite residing out of Dharmaj, he has built an old peoples home and a temple complex which has become a meeting point for the whole village.
Modern history
Today,The great dollar dream has created a stir in the land of White Revolution, and turned Dharmaj into a village with world class facilities, rubbing shoulders with any top city, totally on NRI money. Now, this little village wants the country to adopt the Dharmaj model.Where can one see a village, with a population of 5,000, running a vibrant English medium school for children and a college, ultra-modern medical facilities, water park, recreation zone and state-of-the-art civic infrastructure?
The medical facilities include a kidney centre, a cancer research facility, a maternity hospital, a polio and orthopaedic hospital, an eye hospital that has operated on 1.47 lakh patients, a glaucoma research centre, a dental hospital and a mineral water plant provides 20 litre treated water at just Rs 2 to the economically backward.
It is a silent revolution that has seen NRGs from the village, which are now spread across the globe, pitching in just to assure that their relatives get all the facilities that any city can boast of.