History of Daman and Diu

During the early stage, i.e. from 8th to 13th century, Daman and Diu was part of Goa and during that time Goa was a stronghold of the Chowda Rajputs who were later expelled by Waghalas who in turn were expelled by Muslims in1330. They remained under the domination of Muslims for 200 years until the Portugese conquered it. The Portuguese ruled Goa for 451 years (1510-1961). Albuquerque entrenched himself in the Island of Tiswadi in1510. His successors dominated this territory for 4 ½ centuries in spite of opposition to the alien rule from the people within and outside the territory. When Bahadur Shah was attacked by Humayun he entered into an alliance with the Portuguese and allowed them to construct a fortress on the Island and keep up a fort there.

Later many attempts were made by the rulers of Gujarat to oust the Portuguese from the Fort of Diu. But their attempts never did succeed. The Treaty of 1543 finally confirmed the termination of Diu to the Portuguese. Dom Joao de Castro reconstructed the fortress of Diu after the siege. The Portuguese annexed Salcete and Bardez Talukas and the coastal areas, north of Bombay and the pockets of Daman and Diu by the middle of 16th century. In 1670, a band of Arabs of Muscat plundered the fortress. The other most important event that occurred in the history of Daman and Diu is the `Operation Vijay`, which happened before the midnight of December 16, 1961, ending the colonial rule.

Thus, Danman, Diu, and Goa became one political unit after liberation from the erstwhile Portuguese regime in 1961. It was in 1987, when Goa became a full-fledged state, that Daman and Diu was separated from Goa. Thereafter Daman & Diu became a separate Union Territory with effect from 31/05/1987. Daman is situated at about 12 km. from Vapi railway station and Diu is located at the southern most tip of Saurashtra near Veraval. Diu is about 760 km. away from Daman.