Quepem
| Author:Laxman Burdak, IFS (R) |
Quepem (केपें) is a city and tahsil in the South Goa district of Goa, India. Its ancient name was Kushvan.
Variants
Location
Jat clans
History
The town was established by a Portuguese noble man Deão Jose Paulo, the dean (Deão) of the church in AD 1787 after he moved there just five years after the conquest of Quepem sub-district by the Portuguese. He built his famous Palácio do Deão, followed by a public market, hospital, a 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.
Quepem city before AD 1787 was a scattered settlement surrounded by thick jungle. It was situated in the princely state ruled by the Soonda's. 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 AD 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 Santa 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.
List of Villages in Quepem tahsil
1. Adnem, 2. Ambaulim, 3. Assolda, 4. Avedem, 5. Bali, 6. Barcem, 7. Bendordem, 8. Cavorem, 9. Cazur, 10. Chaifi, 11. Cordem, 12. Corla, 13. Cotombi, 14. Fatorpa, 15. Gocoldem, 16. Maina, 17. Mangal, 18. Molcarnem, 19. Molcopona, 20. Morpila, 21. Nagvem, 22. Naquerim, 23. Odar, 24. Padi, 25. Pirla, 26. Quedem, 27. Quisconda, 28. Quitol, 29. Sirvoi, 30. Sulcorna, 31. Tiloi, 32. Undorna, 33. Xeldem, 34. Xelvona, 35. Xic Xelvona, 36. Zanodem,