Demographics
As of the 2001 census, Karwar had a population of 75,038 in 17,391 households. Females constitute 48% of the population. Karwar has an average literacy rate of 80%, higher than the national average of 74%: male literacy is 85%, and female literacy is 75%. In Karwar, 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.
The majority is Hindu. The prominent castes and subcastes include ], Bhandari, Konkan Maratha, Kshatriya Komarpanth, Vaishya Vani, Harikantra, Konkan Kharvi, Halakki Vokkaligas, Kannada Vaishyas, Gavlis, Kunbi, Padthi, Ram Kashtriya, Havyaka Brahmin and Gaud Saraswat Brahmin. In the 17th century, due to rampant persecution by the Portuguese, over 20% of Goans migrated to Karwar.
Halakki Vokkaligas living in the foot of Western Ghats are known as the "Aboriginals of Uttara Kannada". They have an administrative system of their own and the headman is called "Gouda". Their way of life is still traditional; the women adorn themselves with beads and necklaces, heavy nose rings and distinct attire. Goulis are a nomadic tribe who migrated to Karwar from Maharashtra. They are mainly cattle and goat herders. They stay on the fringes of the forest. Some have taken up agriculture. Kunabis are said to be the most backward tribe of the district. They live in small groups deep inside forests in bamboo huts built in a row sharing common walls. Not having access to medical facilities due to seclusion, mortality rates among them are very high.
Partly due to the presence of the British, who had a major presence in this town and proximity to the then Portuguese-controlled Goa state, Christianity has been in existence here since the 18th century. A majority of Christians here are descendants of converts who fled the Portuguese Inquisition, which demanded complete rejection of native rituals.
Muslims, mainly as part of the trading community, migrated from the Deccan (Bahamani) kingdoms to Karwar, and are known to be seafarers. Muslim influence created the Karwar port is known as "Baithkol" meaning the House of Safety, or Place of Safety ("Bait-e-kol" in Arabic). Major Muslim villages were Shiveshvar, Kadwad, Sunkeri, Chittakula, Sawar Pai and Hotegali. It is believed that two brothers who were descendants of Prophet Mohammed's son-in-law Ali were settled in Shiveshvar and this village became a citadel of Islamic learning. In this village three shrines of Muslim saints (Gaiby Pir, Nizam Pir and Shamshuddin pir-In Kot) are visited by worshippers.
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