Coorg
Question 1.
Where is Coorg?
Answer:
Coorg or Kodagu is the smallest district of Karnataka. It is situated midway between Mysore and
the cbastal town of Mangalore.
Question 2.
What is the story about the Kodavu people’s descent?
Answer:
The fiercely independent people of Coorg are descendents of Greeks or Arabs. A section of
Alexander’s army moved South along the coast and settled here only when they were unable to
return to their country. These people married among the locals. This is the story about the
descent of Kodavu people.
Question 3.
What are some of the things you now know about?
1. the people of Coorg?
2. the main crop of Coorg?
3. the sports it offers to a tourists?
4. the animals you are likely to see in Coorg?
5. its distance from Bangalore and how to get there?
Answer:
1. They are fiercely independent people and have descended from the Greeks or the Arabs.
2. Coffee is the main crop of Coorg.
3. It mostly offers adventure sports which include river rafting, canoeing, rappelling, rock
climbing and mountain biking.
4. The animals likely to be seen in Coorg are macaques, Malabar squirrel, langurs, slender loris,
elephants etc.
5. By road, it is around 250 – 260 kilometres from Bangalore.
Additional questions
1. Coorgis are hospitable by nature. Explain.
The Coorgis are known for their hospitality, a trait deeply ingrained in their culture. They
warmly welcome visitors and treat them with respect and care, ensuring that guests feel
at home. Their openness and friendly demeanor are reflected in their willingness to
share their homes, food, and traditions with outsiders.
2. Describe the natural beauty of Coorg.
Coorg, located in Karnataka, is often called the Scotland of India due to its stunning
natural beauty. The region is adorned with lush green hills, dense forests, and vast
coffee plantations. The air is filled with the aroma of coffee, and the landscape is dotted
with sparkling streams and rivers. The Western Ghats add to the scenic beauty,
providing a rich biodiversity that includes exotic flora and fauna.
3. Why are the people of Coorg known as descendants of the Arabs and Greek?
The people of Coorg are believed to be of mixed ancestry, with many considering
themselves descendants of the Arabs or Greeks. The theory suggests that Alexander’s
army, on its return from India, settled in this region and married the local people, thus
blending their culture and lineage with that of the locals. This is supported by their
distinct physical features, traditional dress, and cultural practices that differ from those of
the surrounding areas.
4. The people of Coorg have a trandition of courage and bravery. How has it been
recognised in modern India?
The tradition of courage and bravery among the people of Coorg is well recognized in
modern India, particularly in the Indian Army. Coorg has produced a significant number
of soldiers and officers, including many in prestigious regiments like the Kodava
Regiment. General Kodandera Madappa Cariappa, the first Indian Commander-in-Chief
of the Indian Army, was a Coorgi. The high representation of Coorgis in the Indian
military and their valor in battle is a testament to their longstanding tradition of bravery.
