History of Daman and Diu

The history of Daman & Diu dates back to the period between 8th and 13th century when it was a stronghold of the Chowda Rajputs. For the next 200 years, the territory came under the rule of Muslim Emperors. The Portuguese arrived in Goa in the 16th century and they ruled the state and its surrounding areas for over 450 years (1510-1961).

When Bahadur Shah, Sultan of Gujarat, was attacked by the Mughal Emperor Humayun, he entered into a defensive alliance with the Portuguese and allowed them in 1535 to construct a fortress on the Island and maintain a garrison there.

Later several attempts were made by the rulers of Gujarat in 1536, 1545 and 1546 respectively to oust the Portuguese from the Fort of Diu but to no avail. By the Treaty of 1543 the cessation of Diu to the Portuguese was finally confirmed. The fortress of Diu, an imposing structure was reconstructed after the siege of 1545 by Dom Joao de Castro.

The Portuguese power was growing day by day in the region. They occupied some portions of the western coasts including Salcete and Bardez Talukas, north of Bombay and the pockets of Daman and Diu. In 1670, a small armed band of the Arabs of Muscat surprised and plundered the fortress, retiring with the booty they had acquired.

The liberation of Goa and Daman Diu occurred just before the midnight of December 16, 1961 when the Indian Army carried out 'Operation Vijay' to end the colonial rule in this territory. The areas located on the west coast of India were formed a single political unit after liberation from the erstwhile Portuguese regime in 1961.