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The union territories of Daman and Diu lie on the edge of the southern borders of Gujarat, in western India. |
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The northern side of the isolated island, Diu, facing Gujarat, is made of tidal marsh and saltpans, while the southern coast alternates between limestone cliffs, rocky coves and sandy beaches.
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This wind beaten and somewhat arid island is filled with quarries built by the Portuguese rulers. The rocky and sandy interior reaches a maximum altitude of 29 m above sea level, and palms and coconut trees abound on this island. It is about 786 km from Daman and is bound by the Chasi River on the north and the Arabian Sea on the other three sides.
Daman is an underdeveloped town with a tropical flavor, and its beaches are very welcoming. It was earlier called Damao and is bound by the Kolak River on the north. The northern part is called Little Daman or Nani Daman and is filled with restaurants while the southern part is called Moti Daman or Big Daman and is known for its ancient architecture.
Known for their beaches and exotic liquors, these twin islands are a tourist's haven for escaping the cacophony of mundane life. Be it the rich historic past or the quaint songs of the anglers, everything in Daman and Diu assist in creating a paradise for one in search of tranquility. The forts and churches of the past, and the pubs of today, combine to engender a strange ambience of nostalgia and pleasure.
| Fast Facts |
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| Area : |
Daman-5.67 sq km Diu-17.76 sq km |
| Population : |
Daman - 35, 743
Diu - 21, 576 |
| Altitude : |
Daman-12 m, Diu-29 m above sea level |
| Languages : |
Gujarati, Marathi, Hindi, English |
| STD code: |
Daman-02638 Diu-02875 |
History:
Daman:
In 1531, the Portuguese seized Daman and were officially handed over the region by Bahadur Shah of Gujarat in 1559. However some believe that Dom Constantine Braganza, the Viceroy, decided in 1559 to exploit the chaotic situation in Gujarat that followed the death of Sultan Bahadur Shah and took possession of Daman. This gave greater security to the town of Bassein, which was already under Portuguese control.
Diu:
Legends of an ancient king by the name of Jalandhar abound around the place. Ruins of a temple ascribed to his name are seen even today. The Muslims disrupted the rule of the Rajputs in 1380. Then came the inroads of the West into the East. The Portuguese were then a mighty naval power and their armada ruled the seas.
After an unsuccessful attempt to capture Diu in 1531, during which the Turkish Navy assisted the Sultan of Gujarat, the Portuguese finally secured control in 1534 by taking advantage of a quarrel between the Sultan and the Mughal emperor Humayun. Humayun had sent an army into the Sultan's territory to search for Mirza Zamal, who had made an attempt on the emperor's life.
Not wanting to battle on two fronts, the Sultan signed a treaty with the Portuguese, which allowed them to stay in Diu in return for five hundred infantrymen to serve with the Sultan. The treaty was soon cast to the wind and although both Bahadur Shah, the Sultan of Gujarat, and his nephew, Sultan Mohammed III, attempted to contest the issue, the peace treaty which was eventually signed in 1539 ceded the island of Diu and the main land enclaves of Ghogla to the Portuguese. Soon after the signing of this treaty, the Portuguese began construction of their forts.
It is interesting to note that Diu was the first landing point for Parsis in India. When they fled from Persia, they remained in Diu for three years. It was only in 1961 that the Portuguese handed Diu along with Daman and Goa to the Indian Government.
Best Season, Climate, and Clothing:
Both the islands enjoy typically maritime climate. The islands are always welcoming to tourists and one can enjoy its pleasant atmosphere throughout the year. Summers of Daman are generally hot in comparison to Diu. Thus, cottons are ideal clothing in DaWinters, though not hot, are warm. The sea affects the climate of the place. The gentle breeze from the Gulf greatly affects the climate of Diu, making it a cool and dry place. The best season to visit Daman and Diu is from September to May
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