Daman and Diu

Daman and Diu, formerly a union territory of India, comprised two small coastal enclaves on the western coast of the country. Separated geographically, Daman lies on the mainland near Gujarat’s southern border, while Diu is an island off the coast of Saurashtra in Gujarat. Both territories were under Portuguese rule for over four centuries before their integration into India in the mid-twentieth century. They are known for their colonial history, strategic location, cultural diversity, and maritime significance.

Historical Background

Daman and Diu came under Portuguese control in the early sixteenth century during the age of European expansion in Asia. Daman was conquered in 1559, while Diu had already been taken in 1535 after the Portuguese secured permission to build a fort there. Diu quickly emerged as a key stronghold in the Arabian Sea, serving as a strategic naval base against regional powers such as the Sultanate of Gujarat and later the Mughal Empire.
The Portuguese maintained their control over these territories even as their empire elsewhere in Asia declined. Both settlements became part of the Estado da Índia (Portuguese State of India) with Goa as its administrative centre. The decline of Portuguese power in India was gradual, but by the twentieth century, Goa, Daman, and Diu remained the last vestiges of Portuguese rule in the subcontinent.

Integration into India

Following India’s independence in 1947, the Government of India initiated diplomatic efforts to integrate the Portuguese territories into the Union. Portugal, however, refused to relinquish control. After failed negotiations and growing nationalist movements within these territories, the Indian government launched Operation Vijay in December 1961, a military action that resulted in the annexation of Goa, Daman, and Diu.
On 19 December 1961, Portuguese rule ended, and the territories were incorporated into India. Daman and Diu, along with Goa, were initially administered as a single union territory. However, in 1987, Goa attained statehood, and Daman and Diu continued as a separate union territory.

Geography and Location

• Daman: Located on the mainland, Daman lies along the Arabian Sea and shares borders with Gujarat. It is divided into two parts, Nani Daman and Moti Daman, separated by the Daman Ganga River.
• Diu: An island off the coast of Gujarat’s Kathiawar Peninsula, Diu is connected to the mainland by a bridge. Its coastal position made it historically important for naval defence and maritime trade.

Both regions are relatively small in area, with a combined size of just over 110 square kilometres, making them among the smallest administrative units in India.

Administration

After Goa became a state in 1987, Daman and Diu functioned as a separate union territory, directly administered by the President of India through a lieutenant governor. On 26 January 2020, as part of an administrative reorganisation, Daman and Diu were merged with Dadra and Nagar Haveli to form a new union territory named Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.

Cultural Heritage

Daman and Diu reflect a unique cultural blend of Portuguese and Indian influences. The long colonial presence left behind forts, churches, and colonial architecture, which remain significant heritage sites. Key cultural and historical landmarks include:

• Fort of Diu: Built in 1535, a massive Portuguese fortress overlooking the sea.
• Fort of Moti Daman: Constructed in the sixteenth century, still containing churches and government offices.
• Church of Bom Jesus and Church of Our Lady of the Sea: Prominent examples of Portuguese baroque architecture.

Local festivals, cuisine, and traditions bear traces of Portuguese heritage, alongside Gujarati and Konkani influences.

Economy and Development

The economy of Daman and Diu has historically been connected to fishing, trade, and agriculture. In recent decades, tourism has become a major sector due to the region’s beaches, colonial architecture, and relaxed liquor laws compared with neighbouring Gujarat, where alcohol is prohibited. Light industries, particularly in Daman, also contribute to local economic activity.