Diu, Daman and Diu, India

20.71°N 70.98°E

By Francisco Morais

September 9^th, 2017

DIU, India

For over 450 years, the coastal exclaves of Daman and Diu on the Arabian Sea coast were part of Portuguese India, along with Goa and Dadra and Nagar Haveli. Goa, Daman, and Diu were incorporated into the Republic of India on 19 December 1961 by military conquest. Portugal did not recognise the Indian annexation of these territories until 1974. The territory of “Goa, Daman, and Diu“ were administered as a single union territory until 1987, when Goa was granted statehood, leaving Daman and Diu as a separate union territory. Each enclave constitutes one of the union territory‘s two districts. Daman and Diu are approximately 198 kilometres away from each other.

With no tall buildings except the fort, Diu has a characteristically low skyline. Old Diu is known for its Portuguese architecture. Diu Fort was built in 1535 and maintained an active garrison until 1960. There are three Portuguese Baroque churches, with St. Paul’s Church, completed in 1610, being the only one still in use for its original purpose. The Church of St. Francis of Assisi, the first church built in Diu, in 1593, is now used as a hospital. St. Thomas Church is currently used as a museum. An ancient Lord Shiva‘s Temple is located on the Gangeswar coast. Naida Caves are located near Jalandhar Beach. Local transport is available from Una (Gujarat). Jet Airways services the island from the mainland, landing at Diu Airport. The nearby Nagoa beach and offshore lighthouse are popular tourist destinations, and the coast is a popular recreational area for parasailing, boating, and jet skiing. There are several hotels and resorts and there is a growing hotel and leisure industry. Unlike Gujarat, alcohol is legal in Daman and Diu.

Some portuguese marks

Write your story here. (Optional)

Vanakbara Village Panchayat

The Diu District of U. T. Administration of Daman & Diu has established Village Panchayat, an elected village council in India, in Rural area of Diu District in 1962. There were Vanakbara & Bucharwada only two village panchayat up to September, 2005.