Karwar

{{Short description|City in Karnataka, India}} {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}} {{more citations needed|date=November 2022}} {{Infobox settlement | name = Karwar | native_name_lang = Konkani | other_name = Carwar, Koney <ref>Madhav Anant Desai (1969). ''Chittakula-Karwar: A History''. [https://books.google.com/books/about/Chittakula_Karwar.html?id=i_AtAAAAMAAJ Google Books].</ref> | settlement_type = Municipality /Taluk | image_skyline = {{photomontage | photo1a = Karwar Evening.jpg | photo2a = Kali_river_bridge.jpg | photo2b = Arabian sea from Sadashivgarh fort.JPG | photo3a = Beach at Karwar, Karnataka, India.jpg | photo3b = Karwarbeach2.jpg | photo4a = Glazing_Rays_on_Rabindranath_Tagore_Beach,_Karwar.jpg }} | image_size = 300px | image_caption = '''Clockwise from the Top:''' <br /> Tagore Beach, Arabian Sea from Sadashivgad fort, Majali Beach, Bridge over Kali River, Rabindranath Tagore Beach | nickname = | image = | mapframe = yes | mapframe-zoom = 6 | map_alt = | map_caption = Karwar in Karnataka | pushpin_map = | pushpin_label_position = | pushpin_map_alt = | pushpin_map_caption = | coordinates = {{coord|14.80|N|74.13|E|display=inline,title}} | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = {{flag|India}} | subdivision_type1 = State | subdivision_name1 = Karnataka | subdivision_type3 = District | subdivision_name3 = Uttara Kannada | established_title =  | established_date = 1867 | founder = | named_for = | government_type = City Municipal Council | governing_body = | leader_title2 = President | leader_title3 = Uttara Kannada | unit_pref = Metric | area_footnotes = <ref name="Karwar city population">{{cite web|url=https://www.citypopulation.de/en/india/karnataka/uttara_kannada/2941004000__karwar/ |title=Karwar city population |website=www.citypopulation.de/en}}</ref> | area_urban_km2 = 36.95 | area_blank1_title = Taluk | area_blank1_km2 = 743.4 | elevation_footnotes = | elevation_m = 6 | population_as_of = 2011 | population_density_km2 = auto | population_blank1_title = CMC+Outgrowth | population_blank1 = 77,139 | population_blank2_title = Taluk | population_blank2 = 155,213 | population_demonym = ''Karwarkar'' | population_footnotes = <ref name=Census2001>{{cite web | url=https://censusindia.gov.in/census.website/data/population-finder | title=Sub-District Details| publisher=Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India | access-date=27 March 2012}}</ref> | blank2_name = {{nowrap|Official language}} | blank2_info = Kannada<ref>{{cite web|url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/10255 |title=C-16 City: Population by mother tongue town level Karnataka 2011 India 2011 |access-date=20 February 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250220083223/https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/10255 |archive-date=20 February 2025}}</ref> | blank3_name = {{nowrap|Regional language}} | blank3_info = Konkani<ref>{{cite web|url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/10255 |title=C-16 City: Population by mother tongue town level Karnataka 2011 India 2011 |access-date=20 February 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250220083223/https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/10255 |archive-date=20 February 2025}}</ref> | blank_name_sec2 = HDI {{nobold|(2014)}} | blank_info_sec2 = {{nowrap|{{increase}} 0.900 ({{color|green|Very High}})}}<ref name="zpkarwar.kar.nic.in">Zilla Panchayat Uttara Kannada District Overview 2014 http://www.zpkarwar.kar.nic.in/docs/publication/English/EnglishPart2.pdf</ref> | blank1_name_sec2 = Literacy {{nobold|(2014)}} | blank1_info_sec2 = 89.91<ref name="zpkarwar.kar.nic.in"/> | blank2_name_sec2 = Sex ratio {{nobold|(2014)}} | blank2_info_sec2 = 989 ♀/1000 ♂<ref name="zpkarwar.kar.nic.in"/> | timezone1 = IST | utc_offset1 = +5:30 | postal_code_type = PIN | postal_code = 581301 | area_code_type = Telephone code | area_code = 91-8382 | registration_plate = KA 30 | website = {{URL|karwarcity.mrc.gov.in}} | footnotes = | official_name = }} '''Karwar''' is a coastal city and the administrative headquarters of Uttara Kannada district, formerly part of the Bombay Presidency, located at the mouth of the Kali river along the Konkan Coast in the present-day state of Karnataka, India.

== Etymology == Karwar, also known locally as "Kādwād", derived its name from the nearby village of "Kade-Wādā". In the local Konkani, ''Kade'' means "Last" and ''Wādā'' means "Ward". Hence, ''Kade-Wādā'' ("the last neighbourhood") referred to the southernmost Konkani-speaking village. During the Crown rule in India, the name "Karwar" was spelt as "Carwar".<ref name="archive">{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/stream/historyofgingeea035396mbp/historyofgingeea035396mbp_djvu.txt|website=archive.org|title=Full text of "History_Of_Gingee_And_Its_Rulers" |access-date=16 November 2022}}</ref> The ancient name was "Baithkhol"—from an Arabic term ''Bait-e-kol''— meaning the "bay of safety". This is in the Indian history for maritime trade wherein black peppercorns, cardamom, and muslin cloth were exported from this Kādwād port and after the war with Veer Henja Naik (1803), the port activities were shifted to Baithkhol. Thereafter, the port of Kādwād was isolated and Kurmagad Fort was activated by the Portuguese.

Karwar township was built by the British in the year 1857 after the Indian Rebellion. Karwar is popularly known as the "Kashmir of Karnataka". Prior to 1857, Karwar did not exist as a town. Honnavara was the district headquarters of Canara district consisting up to Mangalore to Kodibag Karwar, up till Kali river; and Karwar village (''Kādwād'') existed as hamlets like Habbuwada, Kajubag, Kodibag, Kone, Baad, Kathinkon, Sunkeri, Shirwad, and Binaga. After that, the river bank towards the north was under the rule of Sadhashiv Nayak and Maratha Confederacy. After the mutiny of 1857, the British made division of Canara District into two parts as South Canara with headquarters at Mangalore attached to Madras Presidency and North Canara with headquarters at the newly built town Karwar, which was attached to Bombay Presidency. It was a planned city like Panaji, Mumbai, Dharwad, and Bengaluru. After the rule of the Indian Government from 1947, Karwar is more or less neglected politically and kept without major developments.

=== Ancient history ===

The region of Karwar was historically part of the ancient city of Govapuri, as documented in the Sahyadrikhanda of the Skanda Purana:

गोकर्णादुत्तरे भागे सप्तयोजनविस्तृ॥

तत्र गोवापुरी नाम नगरी पापनाशिनी॥<ref>Vyasa. ''Shree Skanda Purana - Sahyadrikhanda''. Edited and translated into Marathi by Gajanan Shastri Gayatonde, based on ''Sahyadri-Khanda'' by J. Gerson Da Cunha (Bombay, 1877). Internet Archive, p. 15.</ref>

(Translation: "To the north of Gokarna, extending over seven yojanas, lies the city of Govapuri, the destroyer of sins.")

This revered reference underscores Karwar's deep historical and mythological ties to the Konkan region, intertwining it with Goa's cultural and spiritual heritage.

In later centuries, Portuguese traders knew Karwar as ''Cintacora'', ''Chitrakul'', ''Chittakula'' or ''Sindpur''. In 1510, the Portuguese captured and burnt a fort at Karwar. They called it ''Fort Pir'', ''Forte de Piro'' or ''Pito'' due to the presence of a Muslim Dargah (tomb of a Sufi saint, Shahkaramuddin).

In 1638, the English Trading Courteen Association established a factory at Kadwad village, 6 km east of Karwar and traded with merchants from Arabia and Africa.<ref>{{Cite web |title=History {{!}} Uttara Kannada District, Government of Karnataka {{!}} India |url=https://uttarakannada.nic.in/en/history/ |access-date=2025-02-23 |language=en-US}}</ref> The common commodities were muslin, black pepper, cardamom, cassier and coarse blue cotton cloth. In 1649, the Courteen Association merged with the British East India Company, and Karwar became a company town. The East India Company built fighting ships in the Karwar harbour. For example, the ''Britannia'' (1715) which had 18 guns was built to defend Bombay from attacks by Maratha Koli<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://theprint.in/opinion/as-nda-cadet-i-was-witness-to-vice-admiral-awatis-kindness/145378/|title=As NDA cadet, I was witness to Vice Admiral Awati's kindness|last=LT GEN K. J.|first=SINGH|website=ThePrint.In|date=5 November 2018|access-date=7 November 2018}}</ref> admiral Kanhoji Angre.<ref name=john>{{cite book |last1=Biddulph |first1=Colonel John |title=The Pirates of Malabar And an Englishwoman in India Two Hundred Years Ago |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=EVA79yjVhVwC|edition=Reprint 2005 |year=1907 |publisher=Smith, Elder & co. |location=London|page=40 |isbn=9781846377280 }}</ref>

Before the Portuguese colonization, the area was part of several Indian kingdoms, including those that encompassed present-day Goa. Karwar shares notable cultural similarities with Goa, particularly in its language and cuisine.

In the 1700s, Karwar was a part of the Maratha Empire. Having marched from Bednore in the south, visiting on his way the sacred temple at Gokarna, Shivaji seized Ankola and the next day came to Karwar (then known as Kadwad). Both the East India Company and Sher Shah, the Sardar of Bijapur, were very much alarmed at this sudden development. They collected a huge amount and offered it to Shivaji, praying that they may be spared. Satisfied at the recognition of his authority, Shivaji crossed the Kali River and conquered Sadashivgad on 21 February 1665.

In 1784, at the time of the Treaty of Mangalore between Tipu Sultan and the East India Company,<ref> [http://projectsouthasia.sdstate.edu/docs/history/primarydocs/Tipu_Sultan/TreatyofMangalore1784.htm "Treaty of Mangelore"], Project South Asia {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080720142515/http://projectsouthasia.sdstate.edu/docs/history/primarydocs/Tipu_Sultan/TreatyofMangalore1784.htm |date=20 July 2008 }}.</ref> After the defeat of the Marathas in the Third Anglo-Maratha War, Karwar was captured by the British. Kot Siveshvar, another fortress, was built near Karwar (in Siveshvar village) by the Sultan of Bijapur to counterattacks from the north. Karwar is also believed to be the coast where Ottomans arrived at the request of Tipu Sultan as aide in battle against the British empire. The said Ottoman aid could not participate in any battles due to martyrdom of Tipu Sultan but instead set up a stronghold with the locals and later the Portuguese and Marathas to protect the town.

At the ruins of Fort Siveshvar are a Muslim graveyard and a tunnel at the eastern gate. The Bengali poet and Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore, who visited Karwar in 1882, dedicated a chapter of his memoirs to this town.<ref name="Karwar in Tagore's memoirs"/> At 22 years old, Tagore stayed with his second brother, Satyendranath Tagore, who was a district judge in Karwar.

From 1862 until the re-organization of the Indian states after Independence, present-day Uttara Kannada district was a part of the Bombay Presidency.<ref>Madhav Anant Desai (1969). ''Chittakula-Karwar: A History''. [https://books.google.com/books/about/Chittakula_Karwar.html?id=i_AtAAAAMAAJ Google Books].</ref> During this period, major public works carried out included the improvement of roads, the building of a wharf, wharf road and a sea wall at the Karwar port as well as the construction of a multi-floor storage building, staff housing, a post office, ''kutcheri'' (kutcherries or zamindar's offices) and a Christian burial ground.<ref name="Public works (1866)">[https://books.google.com/books?id=BZEIAAAAQAAJ&q=karwar "Report of proceedings at the conference held at Poona, 1865."] Department of Public Works, Bombay Presidency, 1866 p. 251 (Original held at Oxford University). Accessed at Google Books, 5 April 2014.</ref> At the same time, the local Konkani-speaking people had close connections with Mumbai and Goa. Many Marathi middle schools were established in Karwar and Joida taluks, despite the fact that the local populace mostly were Konkani native speakers.

During World War II Karwar was an Indian Naval training site.<ref name="Hiranandani (2005)">Hiranandani G. M. [https://books.google.com/books?id=1WxI9TlAxIQC&q=karwar "Transition to Eminence: The Indian Navy 1976–1990."] Lancer Publishers, 2005. {{ISBN|8170622662}}, 9788170622666.</ref>

=== Post-Independence === After India gained independence in 1947, the movement for linguistic states led to the reorganization of states based on language. In 1956, the Mysore State was formed, incorporating various regions, including parts of the Bombay Presidency. Despite Karwar being a Konkani-speaking region, it was included in the newly formed Mysore State as part of this reorganization. Since Goa was under Portuguese control at the time, forming a Konkani-speaking state was not feasible. The decision to incorporate Karwar into Mysore State was influenced by broader political and administrative considerations aimed at creating a cohesive Kannada-speaking state. Karwar during the 1950–60s played important role in the Konkani language agitation, helping cement Konkani as an independent language during Konkani conferences held in Karwar. The city played an important role in Konkan culture and Konkani culture hosting many Konkani conferences to promote the language. There have been demographic shifts since the state reorganizations act, and Karwar is no longer the stronghold for Konkani culture and has been overtaken by Panaji (or Panjim), Goa (after Goa achieved statehood) and by Mangalore.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.deccanherald.com/spectrum/a-bridge-between-languages-906284.html| title = A bridge between languages {{!}} Deccan Herald| date = 24 October 2020}}</ref>

The city is also neglected by the state government and has been devoid of development in recent years. Spots of attractions are usually underfunded, relatively little money is allowed for development and people have to constantly rely on the neighboring state of Goa to carry out their needs.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/301118/no-jobs-in-karwar-youth-going-to-goa-daily-for-work.html|title = No jobs in Karwar, youth going to Goa daily for work|date = 30 November 2018}}</ref>

== Geography == right|thumb|252x252px|Map of Karwar Taluk Karwar is a seaport on the west coast of peninsular India. To the east are the Western Ghats. Karwar is situated on the banks of the Kali river which flows west to the Arabian sea from its headwaters at Bidi village in the Western Ghats. The Kali river has a length of about {{convert|150|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} and is the main source of irrigation in the region.

Baitkhol port at Karwar is a natural harbour with land side hills and ocean side islands protecting it from cyclonic weather. The four fathom mark lies close to the shore. The tidal range is {{convert|1.5|–|2.5|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}.<ref name="Hiranandani (2005)"/>{{rp|172}}

=== Biodiversity === thumb|upright=1.2|Local bird, Sturnia blythii. Karwar is rich in flora and fauna Several small mangrove covered islands lie off the Kali river estuary including Anjediva Island and Devagadaguda Islands. The sub-tidal regions of the islands have a high biodiversity, although the waters off Karwar have recorded higher than normal faecal coliform counts.<ref name="Sahoo (2002)">Sahoo D. and Pandey P. C. [https://books.google.com/books?id=nEBRPxtp4W0C&q=karwar "Advances in Marine and Antarctic Science."] APH publishing 2002 {{ISBN|8176483478}}, 9788176483476.</ref>{{rp|248}}

=== Climate === Karwar lies on a coastal strip known as the ''Monsoon Coast''.<ref>''Outlook Traveller'' Outlook Publishing July 2008 8(7)</ref> Karwar has hot and humid summers ({{convert|27|–|34|°C|F|0|abbr=on}}) from March to May where the temperature may peak to {{convert|38|°C|F|0|abbr=on}}. The Arabian Sea is warm throughout the year. Winters from December to February are mild ({{convert|23|–|29|°C|F|0|abbr=on}}) and seldom plummet to {{convert|20|°C|F|0|abbr=on}}. The windy monsoon period from June to September has an average rainfall of over {{convert|400|cm|in|abbr=on}}.

{{Weather box | location = Karwar (1991–2020, extremes 1901–2020) | metric first = Yes | single line = Yes | width = auto | Jan record high C = 38.4 | Feb record high C = 39.1 | Mar record high C = 39.6 | Apr record high C = 38.9 | May record high C = 37.4 | Jun record high C = 36.6 | Jul record high C = 34.0 | Aug record high C = 33.4 | Sep record high C = 34.0 | Oct record high C = 39.4 | Nov record high C = 37.8 | Dec record high C = 37.6 | year record high C = 39.6 | Jan high C = 33.5 | Feb high C = 33.4 | Mar high C = 33.6 | Apr high C = 34.3 | May high C = 34.4 | Jun high C = 31.1 | Jul high C = 29.8 | Aug high C = 30.0 | Sep high C = 30.6 | Oct high C = 32.4 | Nov high C = 34.3 | Dec high C = 34.0 | year high C = 32.6 | Jan low C = 19.5 | Feb low C = 20.2 | Mar low C = 23.2 | Apr low C = 25.7 | May low C = 26.9 | Jun low C = 25.3 | Jul low C = 24.7 | Aug low C = 24.6 | Sep low C = 24.3 | Oct low C = 23.3 | Nov low C = 22.6 | Dec low C = 20.5 | year low C = 23.5 | Jan record low C = 12.7 | Feb record low C = 11.6 | Mar record low C = 15.6 | Apr record low C = 17.2 | May record low C = 20.3 | Jun record low C = 18.3 | Jul record low C = 18.3 | Aug record low C = 20.3 | Sep record low C = 20.5 | Oct record low C = 16.8 | Nov record low C = 13.7 | Dec record low C = 12.5 | year record low C = 11.6 | rain colour = green | Jan rain mm = 0.2 | Feb rain mm = 0.1 | Mar rain mm = 1.2 | Apr rain mm = 12.1 | May rain mm = 107.9 | Jun rain mm = 984.5 | Jul rain mm = 993.9 | Aug rain mm = 618.1 | Sep rain mm = 333.4 | Oct rain mm = 201.4 | Nov rain mm = 21.1 | Dec rain mm = 5.2 | year rain mm = 3279.1 | Jan rain days = 0.1 | Feb rain days = 0.0 | Mar rain days = 0.1 | Apr rain days = 0.8 | May rain days = 4.1 | Jun rain days = 22.7 | Jul rain days = 27.4 | Aug rain days = 23.7 | Sep rain days = 14.5 | Oct rain days = 7.8 | Nov rain days = 1.7 | Dec rain days = 0.4 | year rain days = 103.3 |time day = 17:30 IST | Jan humidity = 59 | Feb humidity = 62 | Mar humidity = 66 | Apr humidity = 67 | May humidity = 70 | Jun humidity = 83 | Jul humidity = 86 | Aug humidity = 86 | Sep humidity = 82 | Oct humidity = 76 | Nov humidity = 65 | Dec humidity = 59 |year humidity = 72 |source 1 = India Meteorological Department<ref>{{cite web | url = https://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/Climatological%20Tables%201991-2020.pdf | title = Climatological Tables of Observatories in India 1991-2020 | publisher = India Meteorological Department | access-date = April 8, 2024 }}</ref><ref name=IMDnormals> {{cite web | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200205040301/http://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/1981-2010%20CLIM%20NORMALS%20%28STATWISE%29.pdf | archive-date = 5 February 2020 | url = https://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/1981-2010%20CLIM%20NORMALS%20%28STATWISE%29.pdf | title = Station: Karwar Climatological Table 1981–2010 | work = Climatological Normals 1981–2010 | publisher = India Meteorological Department | date = January 2015 | pages = 397–398 | access-date = 19 April 2020}}</ref><ref name=IMDextremes> {{cite web | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200205042509/http://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/EXTREMES%20OF%20TEMPERATURE%20and%20RAINFALL%20upto%202012.pdf | archive-date = 5 February 2020 | url = https://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/EXTREMES%20OF%20TEMPERATURE%20and%20RAINFALL%20upto%202012.pdf | title = Extremes of Temperature & Rainfall for Indian Stations (Up to 2012) | publisher = India Meteorological Department | date = December 2016 | page = M98 | access-date = 19 April 2020}}</ref> }}

== Demographics == The total population in Karwar town with outgrowth is 77,139 as of 2011 by Indian Government. As of 2011, Karwar had an average literacy rate of 93%, higher than the national average of 74%. Males constitutes 49.7% of population and 50.3% are females.<ref name="Karwar city population">{{cite web|url=https://www.citypopulation.de/en/india/karnataka/uttara_kannada/2941004000__karwar/ |title=Karwar city population |website=www.citypopulation.de/en}}</ref><ref name="zpkarwar.kar.nic.in"/> In Karwar, 10% of the population were children under six years of age.

{{Pie chart|right|caption=Languages spoken as of 2011 in Karwar City.<ref>{{Cite web|title=C-16 Population By Mother Tongue Of Karwar City|url=https://www.censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/10208/study-description}}</ref> |label1 = Konkani |value1 = 53.14 |color1 = salmon |label2 = Kannada |value2 = 30.50 |color2 = darkslateblue |label3 = Urdu |value3 = 6.50 |color3 = green |label4 = Hindi |value4 = 3.35 |color4 = orange |label5 = Marathi |value5 = 1.87 |color5 = red |label6 = Others |value6 = 4.65 |color6 = grey }}

===Border issues===

Karwar taluka is majorly Konkani by first language speakers. It was part of the Bombay Presidency during the British colonial rule, before the reorganization of states. The native Konkani speakers had close connections with Bombay which extended to matrimonial relations too. Many Marathi-medium schools were also established in Karwar and Joida talukas. Marathi films were often released in Karwar. The visit of Marathi drama troupes from Bombay and Poona(Pune) was an annual feature. However, Konkani-speaking people were disenchanted when Marathis began to claim Konkani as a dialect of Marathi. They disputed it and asserted that Konkani had independent status as a language. It was the native Konkani-speaking people led by late P. S. Kamat who argued before Mahajan Commission that Karwar was an integral part of Karnataka.

There have been recent assertions by both Maharashtra and Goa that Karwar should belong to their states.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Maharashtra-Karnataka border row: Ajit Pawar's remarks trigger fresh row; don't incite fire, cautions BSY|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/ajit-pawar-s-remarks-trigger-fresh-maharashtra-karnataka-border-row-don-t-incite-fire-cautions-yediyurappa/683372|access-date=4 December 2020|website=www.timesnownews.com|date=18 November 2020 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|agency=TNN|date=17 February 2013|title=Konkani-speaking areas in Karwar yearn for Goa {{!}} Goa News - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Konkani-speaking-areas-in-Karwar-yearn-for-Goa/articleshow/18536580.cms|access-date=4 December 2020|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref>

== Religion == thumb|Sunset at Karwar bay Karwar is and has primarily been Hindu. Christianity was introduced to Karwar by the Portuguese while ruling Goa in the 16th and 17th centuries and contemporary Karwari Catholics are descendants of those early Christians. Muslim seafaring traders migrated to Karwar from the Deccan (Bahamani) kingdoms. Karwar was called ''Baithkol'' meaning the "house of safety" or ''Bait-e-kol'' meaning "place of safety" in Arabic. ==Industry==

=== Primary industry === thumb|Fishermen returning home at sunset, Devbagh, Karwar Karwar is an agricultural region. The common crops are rice, groundnuts, green vegetables, onions, watermelons, and flowers. Other primary industries include animal husbandry, sericulture, horticulture, beekeeping, prawns farming, gathering and lumbering and the growing of homeopathic medicinal plants.

The coastal location of Karwar lends to fishing and fisheries which are concentrated in Harikanth, Konkan Kharvis, Gabiths and Ambigas. The common types of fish are mackerel, sardines, crabs, clams, seerfish and prawns. Fishing is done from land with nets or from boats such as ''pandy'' (motor launch) and ''dhoni'' (dug out canoes). There is also mechanised trawling. The brackish water of the Kali estuary is suitable for prawn farming.<ref>Qasim S. Z. [https://books.google.com/books?id=qgE_ghb2G5YC&q=karwar "Indian Estuaries."] Allied Publishers 2003 p270 {{ISBN|817764369X}}, 9788177643695.</ref>

=== Secondary industry === thumb|upright=1.2|Muslin used in dress making Members of the Daivadnya Brahmin caste are engaged in jewellery design, manufacturing and goldsmithing. Leather works are common. Since 1638, when William Counten opened a mill, Karwar town has been a producer of fine muslin.{{citation needed|date=September 2015}} In the 1660s the factory was prosperous, exporting the finest muslins in Western India; the weaving country was inland to the east, at Hubli and other centres, where as many as 50,000 weavers were employed. Besides the great export of muslin, Karwar provided pepper, cardamoms, cassia, and coarse blue cotton cloth (dungan). I<ref>{{Cite journal| title=KARACHI to KOTAYAM | volume=XV | journal=The Imperial Gazetteer of India | url=http://www.burmalibrary.org/docs20/The_Imperial_Gazetteer_Of_India-Vol.15-tu-red.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821122331/http://www.burmalibrary.org/docs20/The_Imperial_Gazetteer_Of_India-Vol.15-tu-red.pdf | archive-date=2016-08-21}}</ref>{{citation needed|date=September 2015}}

In Binaga township, a chemical company Aditya Birla Chemicals (earlier owned by Ballarpur Industries Ltd / Solaris Chemtech), manufactures caustic soda lye and flakes, chlorine, hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid, kestra pipes and bromine.<ref name="Sahoo (2002)"/>{{rp|246}}

=== Tertiary industry === At Kaiga, {{convert|50|km|mi}} away, the Nuclear Power Corporation of India operates an 880 MW nuclear power plant. The Karnataka Power Corporation Ltd. operates a dam and 150 MW power house between Kadra and Mallapur townships, approximately {{convert|33|km|mi}} from Karwar town.

==== INS Kadamba ==== {{main|INS Kadamba}} The Indian Navy operates a naval base at a bay near Binaga township. It is the navy's third largest base. The base was founded as part of Project Seabird. Casurina beach near Binaga (now called Kamat Bay) and Arga beach were incorporated into naval property. The public has access to the base during Navy Week in December and in visiting educational groups. The naval base includes a civilian support community at Amadalli, a ship lift and a hospital. INS Kadamba is the homeport of India's largest aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya.

==== INS Vajrakosh ==== {{main|INS Vajrakosh}} INS Vajrakosh, commissioned on 9 September 2015, is the latest establishment of the Indian Navy at Karwar which will serve as special storage facility for specialised armaments and missiles. INS Vajrakosh will have all the required infrastructure and will be staffed by specialists to provide specialised servicing facilities for these sophisticated missiles and ammunition.<ref name="pib-hi-39843">{{Cite web|url = http://pib.nic.in/newsite/hindirelease.aspx?relid=39843|title = रक्षा मंत्री ने कारवाड़ में आईएनएस वज्रकोष को राष्ट्र को समर्पित किया|publisher = पत्र सूचना कार्यालय, भारत सरकार|date = 9 September 2015|access-date = 22 September 2015}}</ref>

=== Aditya Birla Chemicals ===

Aditya Birla Chemicals (India) (ABCIL) is a unit of the Aditya Birla Group.

ABCIL has acquired chlor-alkali and phosphoric acid division of Ballarpur Industries Ltd. (BILT) / Solaris Chemtech Industries Limited, based in Karwar, Karnataka.

==Transport==

=== Karwar International Airport === The proposed Karwar Airport will be built by the Indian Navy at Alageri village<ref name = "TOI">{{cite news|title=Project Seabird all set to enter Phase-2 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hubli/Project-Seabird-all-set-to-enter-Phase-2/articleshow/5301195.cms|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130103114019/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-12-05/hubli/28099176_1_project-seabird-second-phase-navy-week|url-status=live|archive-date=3 January 2013|access-date=1 May 2012|work=The Times of India |date=5 December 2009}}</ref> near Ankola, in Karnataka. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) will operate a civil enclave at the naval air base which is part of the Navy's Rs 100 billion Phase 2 of Project Seabird. After the construction Karwar will be the second city in Karnataka to have all 3 major modes of transport (Air, Sea, Land)

==== Konkan railway ==== [[File:Karwar Railway Station.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|Karwar railway station]] The Konkan Railway connects Karwar to most major towns and cities. Karwar has two railway stations: Karwar and Asnoti. The nearest Goan station is Loliem, 18 km away. {{stnlnk|Madgaon Junction}} lies 68 km to the north.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://indiarailinfo.com/departures/1775 |title=Karwar/KAWR Railway Station – Today's train departure timings, a busy junction for travellers and rail enthusiasts |publisher=India Rail Info |date=30 May 2012 |access-date=12 September 2012}}</ref> and {{stnlnk|Mangalore Junction}} 253 km to the south.

==== Port ====

The Karwar Port is acclaimed as one of the best natural all-weather ports on the West Coast, located in Uttar Kannada district at the Southern side of the Kali River. caters to the trading needs of northern Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Maharashtra. The port is located in Baithkol, just beside the National Highway (NH66) that connects Mumbai and Kochi, one of the country’s busiest corridors. Also, it is only 8 km away from the Konkan Railway network.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.indiaspend.com/as-karwars-port-expansion-threatens-jobs-fisheries-fisherfolk-question-development/ | title=As Karwar's Port Expansion Threatens Jobs & Fisheries, Fisherfolk Question 'Development' | date=15 June 2020 }}</ref> thumb|upright=1.2|Karwar beach looking towards Madlimgadh and Kurumgad Islands

Hills and coastal islands make the port a natural harbour, sheltered from the Arabian sea. It is operated by the Government of Karnataka, services the hinterland of northern Karnataka, Goa and southern Maharashtra.

The length of the port is {{convert|355|m|yd}}. The quay has two berths, with a draft capacity of {{convert|9.25|m|ft}}. Karwar port also berths coastal vessels and there is a jetty for fishing vessels.<ref name="NGIA (2005)">[https://books.google.com/books?id=hWv9ZhMhgusC&q=karwar "Prostar Sailing Directions 2005 India & Bay of Bengal Enroute."] National Geospatial-intelligence Agency, ProStar Publications, 2005 p. 53 {{ISBN|1577856627}}, 9781577856627.</ref> The Government of Karnataka has planned to develop Karwar port on a Public Private Partnership (PPP) basis to provide six additional berths, a container terminal, and a rail link to Karwar railway station.

The port is able to handle all types of commodities, including "B" and "C" class petroleum products. There port has liquid storage tanks for bitumen, furnace oil, molasses, and HSD. A ban of iron ore mining and export in Karnataka state reduced congestion at the port. The port has arrangements for berthing coastal vessels, and a jetty for fishing boats.

In 2012, the Government of Karnataka carried out maintenance dredging in the port, the approach channel and the nearby anchorage. The port may be closed from 16 May to 15 September (the monsoon season).<ref name="NGIA (2005)"/> Part of the 2008 Hindi film ''Golmaal Returns'' was filmed at Karwar port.

== Tourism ==

=== Rabindranath Tagore beach === thumb|Rabindranath Tagore Statue at the Beach thumb|Glazing Rays on Rabindranath Tagore Beach thumb|upright=1.2|Tagore beach :"The sea beach of Karwar is certainly a fit place in which to realize that the beauty of Nature is not a mirage of the imagination, but reflects the joy of the Infinite and thus draws us to lose ourselves in it. Where the universe is expressing itself in the magic of its laws it may not be strange if we miss its infinitude; but where the heart gets into immediate touch with immensity in the beauty of the meanest of things, is any room left for argument?" – Rabindranath Tagore<ref name="Karwar in Tagore's memoirs">[http://www.online-literature.com/tagore-rabindranath/my-reminiscences/37/ Karwar in Tagore's memoirs]. online-literature.com</ref>

=== Places of interest === thumb|upright=1.2|Maritime museum at Tagore beach, Rabindranath thumb|upright=1.2|Sadashivgad Fort from the Kali River Bridge

==== Seaside ==== * Kali River Garden, Kodibag * Rock Garden, Karwar * Binaga Beach * Devbagh Beach * Kali Bridge * Karwar Beach * Sub- Regional Science Centre * Kurumgad Island * Majali Beach * Oyster Rock Lighthouse, a round white masonry construction with red trim protects ships from the rocks of Devgad Island, the largest off the Kali Estuary.<ref name="NGIA (2005)"/> * Tilmatti beach, A black sand beach

==== Hinterland ==== * Anshi National Park * Kadra & Kodsalli dam * Chaitanya Park * Chendia and Nagarmadi falls (a small waterfall which passes under a large rock) * Devkar Falls * Guddahalli Peak * Habbu Mountain * Hyder Ghat Pass * Mudgeri Dam * Shirve Ghat * Makkeri

==== Historic sites ==== * Kot Shiveshvar * Shri Narasimha temple, Siddar * Sadashivgad Fort * Shahkaramuddin dargah, Sadashivgad (tomb of a Sufi saint) * Maritime museum

==== Educational tourism ====

* Karwar promotes educational tourism through the Sub-Regional Science Centre<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 7, 2025 |title=Sub-Regional Science Centre, Karwar - Gallery |url=https://karwarsrsc.karnataka.gov.in/gallery/en }}</ref> in Kodibag, which features interactive science exhibits and a virtual reality lab developed by fotonVR.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 1, 2025 |title=fotonVR Lab at Sub-Regional Science Centre, Karwar |url=https://fotonvr.com/fotonvr-lab-at-sub-regional-science-centre-karwar }}</ref>

== Culture ==

=== Cuisine === Karwar is known for its seafood cuisine. Karwar cuisine has been historically influenced by Konkan and Goan cuisine with there being a lot of similarities and shared dishes.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://karnatakatourism.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Karnataka-Cuisine.pdf |title=Cuisine of Karnataka |access-date=20 February 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230803183941/https://karnatakatourism.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Karnataka-Cuisine.pdf |archive-date=3 August 2023}}</ref> Fish curry, with cashews, coconut and rice is a staple dish. Karwar curries use ginger and turmeric but not always garlic.<ref name="Tennebaum">Tennebaum T. D. [https://books.google.com/books?id=VYwQAAAAQBAJ&dq=karwar&pg=PT20 "A Sense for Spice : Recipes and Stories from a Konkan Kitchen."] Westland {{ISBN|938261849X}}, 9789382618492.</ref> thumb|upright=1.2|Kurle Ambat (crab masala), a local dish

=== Local festivals === {{unreferenced section|date=December 2020}} * Kurumgad jatra * São João where garlands of freshly picked fruits leaves and flowers are worn and people jump into wells, ponds, rivers, and lakes. * Anjedweep island festival * Karavali Utsav, an annual three of four-day festival at Rabindranath Tagore beach. It is organised by the Uttara Kannada District Administration as a cultural and social event. Many shops and stalls are installed at Tagore beach. People from all parts of the district and from all over the state and neighboring Goa state attend. Many cultural events are held in the evenings where regional, national and international artists including Bollywood stars, Kannada film stars, Goan artists and local artists perform. *Karwar utsav in summer season where local artistes and celebrities come and perform.

=== Media === Media outlets include: * Karwar News Konkani, Karwar Plus Konkani, This channels provides regular updates and news in local language Konkani. * Karwar Mirror, An online news portal providing reliable and responsive non-political news about Karwar. * Karwar eNews, online local newspaper.<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20090204190131/http://karwarenews.com/ Article title]}} Karwar e news online newspaper</ref> * ''Karavali Munjavu'', Kannada language daily newspaper.<ref>http://www.munjavu.com Munjavu daily newspaper website</ref> * Zilla Varta Kendra media centre. * District Library, near the district court and next to Mitra Samaj. * All India Radio (Akashwani Kendra), Gurumath Road, Kajubag.

==Education== Karwar has Government and private engineering college and Government medical college. The city has private and Government schools and institutions for PU, diploma and ITI courses.

Government Polytechnic is also located in the area.

{{Further|Divekar College of Commerce|Kendriya Vidyalaya Karwar}}

== Notable residents == * Rama Raghoba Rane (1918–1994), the only Param Vir Chakra Award winner from Karnataka * Jayshree Gadkar, a Marathi movie actress of the 1960s, born to a Konkani speaking family in Kanasgiri, near Sadashivgad * Bollywood singer Anuradha Paudwal, born in Karwar as Alka Nadakarni in a Konkani speaking family and brought up in Mumbai *Gajanan Kirtikar, Member of parliament from Mumbai North West (Lok Sabha constituency) *Krishna Kalle, Playback singer in Marathi, Hindi, and Kannada films

== Villages of Karwar == Karwar comprises the following blocks or villages:{{citation needed|date=November 2013}} {{Div col}} * Ambrai * Amadalli * Angadi * Arga * Asnoti * Baad * Baitkol * Balni * Bhaire * Bhagatwada * bargadda * Bhandishitta * Binaga * Birtulbag * Bore * Chendia * Chittakulla * Devalmakki * Devabag * Dhol * Gopashitta * Goyar * Gotegali * Halebag * Halekote * Halga * Hankon * Hapkarni * Harwada * Hosali * Hotegali * Kadra * Kadwad * Kaiga * Kajubag * Kalaswada * Kanasgiri * Karkal * Kathinkon * Kerwadi * Kharga * Kinner * Kodibag * Kolage * Kurnipet * Lower Makeri * Majali * Maingini * Mallapur * Mudgeri * Nandangadda * Nargeri * Sadashivgad * Sakalbalni * Sanmudageri * Shejebag * Shejwad * Shirwad * Siddar * Sunkeri * Thoralebag * Todur * Ulga * Umlijug {{Div col end}}

{{Geographic location |Centre = Karwar |North = Canacona |Northeast = Dandeli |East = Yellapur |Southeast = Ankola |South = INS Kadamba |Southwest = Arabian Sea |West = Arabian Sea |Northwest = Margaon }}

== See also == * Sadashivgad * Kali river * Uttara Kannada

==References== {{reflist}}

== External links == {{commons category|Karwar}} * [http://www.karwarcity.mrc.gov.in/ Karwar City Municipal Council] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150630223747/http://www.karwarcity.mrc.gov.in/ |date=30 June 2015 }} * [http://www.zpkarwar.kar.nic.in/ Zilla panchayat Karwar]

Category:Karwar Category:Cities and towns in Uttara Kannada district Category:Port cities and towns in India