# Furus

Furus also known as Phuroos or Furoos is a village in Khed,Ratnagiri district, Maharashtra state in Western India. The 2011 Census of India recorded a total of 3255 residents in the village with total area 1062.35 hectares. It is predominantly populated by Konkani Muslims along with Hindu and Buddhist. Furus is believed to be named by Persians who came here to trade in horses (horse: فارسی Persian). The main language spoken in Furus is Kokni (not to be confused with Goan Konkani), a blend of Bankoti, Sangameshwari and Marathi infused with words of Arabic, Urdu and Persian origin.

## History

Kokni Muslims trace their ancestry back to the Arab traders who arrived on the Western coast of India during the medieval era and Persians. Muslims first arrived in Konkan in 699, according to Jalal al-Din al-Suyuti, less than 70 years after the death of Muhammad in 632. Dr. B. R. Ambedkar is believed to have visited Furus on May 17, 1937, while en route to Dapoli, and spent the night at Buddhawadi, Furus.

## Location

Furus is on State Highway SH104, between the towns of Khed and Dapoli. The closest train station is in Khed, about 12 km away, and Dapoli is about 17 km from Furus. The village is next to a seasonal stream called the Nirgudi and is surrounded by small hills. It gets a lot of rain during the monsoon season (June-Sep), and the temperature ranges between 15 and 40 degrees Celsius.
Ratnagiri District is divided into three parts: Coastal, Middle, and Hilly. Furus lies in the Middle Zone, which has medium-height land and is easy to reach thanks to the Mumbai–Goa Highway and the Konkan railway

## Political Administration

Furus comes under the Konkan Division of Maharashtra State. It falls under the Raigad Lok Sabha Constituency and Dapoli Vidhan Sabha Constituency. Current MLA and MP representing Furus are below
| Year | Government Body | Position | Constituency | Party | Party | Member |
| 2024 | Maharashtra Legislative Assembly | MLA | Dapoli | | SS | Mr Yogesh Kadam |
| 2024 | Lok Sabha (Parliament) | MP | Raigad | | NCP | Mr Sunil Tatkare |

## Transportation

Furus is well-connected by road to nearby big towns. State Highway 104, Khed to Dapoli passes from Furus. Besides buses are also available as per their timings auto-rickshaw are available round-the clock.

## Educational facilities

Furus was one of the first townships in the area to have a high school. S.I. High School & Junior College of Science, Furus was founded by "Adv. W. A. Parkar" under a government initiative in 1938 (pre-independence time). The School was in Marathi medium named Anglo Vernacular High School and is still functional with semi English curriculum. Furus has following schools
* Siraj-ul-Islam High School and Junior College
* CWS - Ideal English School

## Economy

Furus economy was hugely dependent on agricultural product till early 1980. Post 1980 most of the young earners head towards metro cities and hence agricultural production gets big hit in coming years. During the same period most of the people started to migrate to Gulf, UK, Canada, Australia, USA for the jobs. Presently 95% of Furus economy depend on remittance from foreign countries.

## Healthcare Facilities

Furus has government run Primary Health Center situated at Dayal Road. Apart from this Furus has one equipped private nursing home run by resident Dr. Antule and a small clinic run by visiting Dr. Chikhale.

## Demographics

Furus consist of 4 Sub-villages mentioned in Census 2011 viz., - Furus, Furus Gaonthan, Furus Amshet and Falsonda
Ratnagiri District and in particular Furus is one of the very few place in India whose sex ratio stood at 1210 Females per 1000 males which means the females population is higher than males
Demographic details of Furus and Sub-Villages :
| Rows | Village | Area (hectare) | No. of household | Total Population | Male | Female | Sex Ratio M:F |
| 1 | Furus Amshet | 73.25 | 140 | 577 | 238 | 339 | 1000:1424 |
| 2 | Falsonda | 50.4 | 210 | 1111 | 511 | 600 | 1000:1174 |
| 3 | Furus | 905.7 | 267 | 1129 | 535 | 594 | 1000:1110 |
| 4 | Furus Gaonthan | 33 | 104 | 438 | 189 | 249 | 1000:1317 |
| 5 | Total | 1062.35 | 721 | 3255 | 1473 | 1782 | 1000:1210 |
The main religions here are Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism. The Muslim community consists of 7 Sub Jamaats also called as Mohallas. They are
* Choughan (चौगन) mohalla
* Fanaswad (फणसवाड)
* Tahtani (तहतानी) mohalla
* Tekdi (टेकडी) mohalla and
* Aathvi (आठवी) mohalla
* Falsonda (फल्सोंडा)
* Navanagar (नवानगर) mohalla
Literacy in Furus (Ratnagiri Census Handbook, 2011)
Buddhist reside at
* Buddhawadi (बौद्धवाडी)
Whereas people following Hinduism mostly reside at
* Nhavwadi (न्हाववाडी)
* Chougulewadi (चौगुलेवाडी)
* Gujarwadi (गुजरवाडी)
* Bhuleshwarwadi (भुलेश्वरवाडी)
* Kanganewadi (कांगणेवाडी)
* Rewalewadi (रेवाळेवाडी)