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{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}
{{Infobox settlement
{{Infobox settlement
| name                   = Diu district
| name               = Diu district
| native_name             =  
| native_name       =  
| native_name_lang       =  
| native_name_lang   =  
| settlement_type         = [[Districts of India|District]]
| settlement_type   = [[Districts of India|District]]
| image_skyline           = File:Distrito de Diu, India portuguesa.png
| image_skyline     = Diu Island Map.png
| image_alt               =  
| image_alt         =  
| image_caption           = Distrito de Diu, India Portuguesa (1920)
| image_caption     = Map of Diu district, the exclave of Simbor is not shown
| nickname               =  
| nickname           =  
| map_alt                 =  
| map_alt           =  
| map_caption             =  
| map_caption       =  
| pushpin_map             = India
| pushpin_map       = India
| pushpin_label_position = right
| pushpin_label_position = right
| pushpin_map_alt         =  
| pushpin_map_alt   =  
| pushpin_map_caption     = Diu district location
| pushpin_map_caption = Diu district location
| coordinates             = {{coord|20.71|N|70.98|E|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates       = {{coord|20.71|N|70.98|E|display=inline,title}}
| seat_type               = Headquarters
| seat_type         = Headquarter
| seat                   = [[Diu, India|Diu Town]]
| seat               = [[Diu, India|Diu Town]]
| subdivision_type       = [[Country]]
| subdivision_type   = [[Country]]
| subdivision_name       = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_name   = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1       = [[States and territories of India|Union Territory]]
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and territories of India|Union Territory]]
| subdivision_name1       = {{flagicon image|Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu emblem.png}} [[Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu]]
| subdivision_name1 = {{flagicon image|Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu emblem.png}} [[Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu]]
| subdivision_type2       =  
| subdivision_type2 =  
| subdivision_name2       =  
| subdivision_name2 =  
| established_title       = <!-- Established -->
| established_title = <!-- Established -->
| established_date       = 1509
| established_date   = 1509
| founder                 = [[Francisco de Almeida]]
| founder           = [[Francisco de Almeida]]
| named_for               =  
| named_for         =  
| government_type         =  
| government_type   =  
| governing_body         =  
| governing_body     =  
| unit_pref               = Metric
| unit_pref         = Metric
| area_footnotes         =  
| area_footnotes     =  
| area_rank               =  
| area_rank         =  
| area_total_km2         = 40
| area_total_km2     = 40
| elevation_footnotes     =  
| elevation_footnotes =  
| elevation_m             = 0
| elevation_m       = 30
| population_total       = 52,074
| population_total   = 52,074
| population_as_of       = 2011
| population_as_of   = 2011
| population_rank         =  
| population_rank   =  
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_demonym     =  
| population_demonym = Diucar/ Diuese<ref>{{Cite web |title=Survey chapter: Diu Indo-Portuguese|url=https://apics-online.info/surveys/39}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Diu Indo-Portuguese at present|url=https://repositorio.ul.pt/handle/10451/27496}}</ref>
| population_footnotes   =  
| population_footnotes =  
| demographics_type1     = Languages
| demographics_type1 = Languages<ref>{{cite web |url=http://nclm.nic.in/shared/linkimages/NCLM52ndReport.pdf |page=87 |title=52nd Report of the Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities in India |date=29 March 2016 |access-date=15 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525141614/http://nclm.nic.in/shared/linkimages/NCLM52ndReport.pdf |archive-date=25 May 2017 |url-status=dead  }}</ref>
| demographics1_title1   = Official
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| demographics1_info1     = [[Gujarati language|Gujarati]], [[Marathi language|Marathi]] [[English language|English]]
| demographics1_info1 = [[Hindi]], [[English language|English]]
| timezone1               =  
| demographics1_title2 = Additional official
| utc_offset1             =  
| demographics1_info2 = [[Gujarati language|Gujarati]]
| postal_code_type       = <!-- [[Postal Index Number|PIN]] -->
| timezone1         =  
| postal_code             =  
| utc_offset1       =  
| registration_plate     =  
| postal_code_type   = <!-- [[Postal Index Number|PIN]] -->
| blank1_name_sec1       =  
| postal_code       =  
| blank1_info_sec1       =  
| registration_plate =  
| website                 = http://diu.gov.in/
| blank1_name_sec1   =  
| footnotes               =  
| blank1_info_sec1   =  
| website           = http://diu.gov.in/
| footnotes         =  
}}
}}
[[File:Distrito de Diu, India portuguesa.png|thumb|right|Portuguese map from the 1920s showing Diu District]]
[[File:Entryramparts.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Diu Fortress]] was built in 1535 by the [[Portugal|Portuguese]], when [[Bahadur Shah of Gujarat|Bahadur Shah]], the Sultan of [[Gujarat Sultanate|Gujarat]], requested their help to resist an attack by [[Humayun|Nasir ud-din Muhammad Humayun]], the second [[Mughal Empire|Mughal Emperor]].]]


'''Diu''' {{IPAc-en|'|d|iː|uː}} is one of the three [[Districts of Daman and Diu|district]]s of the [[union territory]] of [[Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu]] of [[India]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu UTs merge for 'better admin efficiency, service': MoS Home |url=https://indusdictum.com/2019/12/04/dadra-nagar-haveli-and-daman-diu-uts-merge-for-better-admin-efficiency-service-mos-home/ |website=Indus Dictum |date=4 December 2019 |access-date=4 January 2021}}</ref> The district is made up of [[Diu Island]] and two small enclaves on the Indian mainland. The district headquarters are at [[Diu, India|Diu Town]]. It is the ninth least populous district in the country (out of [[Districts of India|640]]).<ref name="districtcensus">{{cite web | url = http://www.census2011.co.in/district.php | title = District Census 2011 | accessdate = 2011-09-30 | year = 2011 | publisher = Census2011.co.in}}</ref>
'''Diu district''' ({{IPAc-en|'|d|iː|uː}}) (formerly '''Distrito de Dio''')<ref>{{cite web | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3cM5AAAAIAAJ | title=Alguns aspectos demograficos de Goa, Damao e Dio: Some demographic aspects of Goa, Daman & Diu | last1=Almeida | first1=José C. | date=1965 }}</ref> is one of the three [[Districts of Daman and Diu|district]]s of the [[union territory]] of [[Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu]] of [[India]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu UTs merge for 'better admin efficiency, service': MoS Home |url=https://indusdictum.com/2019/12/04/dadra-nagar-haveli-and-daman-diu-uts-merge-for-better-admin-efficiency-service-mos-home/ |website=Indus Dictum |date=4 December 2019 |access-date=4 January 2021 |archive-date=11 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211111061240/https://indusdictum.com/2019/12/04/dadra-nagar-haveli-and-daman-diu-uts-merge-for-better-admin-efficiency-service-mos-home/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> The district is made up of [[Diu Island]] and two small enclaves of [[Simbor]] and [[Gogolá|Gogola]], at the border with the state of [[Gujarat]]. The district headquarters are at [[Diu, India|Diu Town]]. It is the ninth least populous district in the country (out of [[Districts of India|640]]).<ref name="districtcensus">{{cite web | url = http://www.census2011.co.in/district.php | title = District Census 2011 | accessdate = 2011-09-30 | year = 2011 | publisher = Census2011.co.in}}</ref>


==History==
==History==
[[File:Distrito de Diu, India portuguesa.png|thumb|Distrito de Dio, India Portuguesa (1920).]]
[[File:Diu Fortress, Nov. 2005-1.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Diu Fortress]] was built in 1535 by the [[Portuguese India|Portuguese]], when [[Bahadur Shah of Gujarat|Bahadur Shah]], the [[Gujarat Sultanate|Sultan of Gujarat]], requested their help to resist an attack by [[Humayun]], the second [[Moghal empire|Moghal emperor]].]]
The district was historically part of the [[Saurashtra (region)|Saurashtra]] region of Gujarat. Mirroring the system of administrative division in [[Portugal]], Diu district (''Distrito de Diu'') was established as an administrative division of the [[Portuguese India|Portuguese State of India]] (''Estado da Índia'') in the first half of the 19th century. It was headed by a district governor, subordinate to the [[governor-general]] of Portuguese India in [[Goa]]. The district included the single municipality of [[Diu, India|Diu]], which was further subdivided into [[parish (administrative division)|civil parishes]].<ref name="R1">{{cite web |title=Diu History |url=http://diutourismgov.in/abtdiu-detail?id=19 |website=Diu Tourism Department |publisher=U.T. Administration of Dadra & Nagar Haveli And Daman & Diu |access-date=4 January 2021}}</ref>
The district was historically part of the [[Saurashtra (region)|Saurashtra]] region of Gujarat. Mirroring the system of administrative division in [[Portugal]], Diu district (''Distrito de Diu'') was established as an administrative division of the [[Portuguese India|Portuguese State of India]] (''Estado da Índia'') in the first half of the 19th century. It was headed by a district governor, subordinate to the [[governor-general]] of Portuguese India in [[Goa]]. The district included the single municipality of [[Diu, India|Diu]], which was further subdivided into [[parish (administrative division)|civil parishes]].<ref name="R1">{{cite web |title=Diu History |url=http://diutourismgov.in/abtdiu-detail?id=19 |website=Diu Tourism Department |publisher=U.T. Administration of Dadra & Nagar Haveli And Daman & Diu |access-date=4 January 2021}}</ref>


Line 70: Line 73:
It consists of [[Diu Island]] and a part on the mainland (the [[Ghogolá]] peninsula).  20&nbsp;km East of Diu Island, is the small territory of [[Simbor]].
It consists of [[Diu Island]] and a part on the mainland (the [[Ghogolá]] peninsula).  20&nbsp;km East of Diu Island, is the small territory of [[Simbor]].


=== Diu Island ===
==Sub-districts==
[[Diu Island]] is the place where the town of [[Diu, India|Diu]] is located. [[Diu Fortress]] is also located on Diu Island.
 
===Diu Island===
The town of [[Diu, India|Diu]] and most of the district's villages and settlements are on
[[Diu Island]]. Many of these places [[Renaming of cities in India|have been renamed]] since the [[Annexation of Goa|Invasion of 1961]].


=== Mainland ===
{| class="wikitable"
The area on the mainland borders [[Gir Somnath district]] of [[Gujarat]]. It contains the village of [[Ghogola]]. The village lies on the mainland opposite the eastern end of the island .
|-
! Settlement type
! Portuguese name
! Indian name
|-
| Town
| [[Diu, India|Diu]]
| Diu
|-
| Village
| [[Fudam|Podamo]]
| Fudam
|-
| Village
| [[Bucharwada|Bunxivará]]
| Bucharwada
|-
| Settlement
| Dangarvadi
| Dangarwadi
|-
| Village
| [[Vanakbara|Brancavará]]
| Vanakbara
|-
| Uninhabited
| [[Fortim do Mar]]
| Pani Kota
|-
| Uninhabited
| [[Diu Fort|Castilo de Diu]]
| Diu Fortress
|-
|}


The tiny territory of [[Simbor]], located about 25&nbsp;km east of the town of Diu, is also part of the district.
===Ghogholá===
The area on the mainland borders [[Gir Somnath district]] of [[Gujarat]]. It contains the village of [[Gogolá|Ghogholá]]. The village lies on the mainland opposite the eastern end of the island .


==Sub-Districts==
===Simbor===
# [[Diu Island]]
The tiny territory of [[Simbor]], located about 25&nbsp;km east of the town of Diu, is also part of the district. It has no permanent population.
# [[Gogolá]]
# [[Simbor]]


==Demographics==
==Demographics==
According to the [[2011 census of India|2011 census]] Diu district has a [[Demographics of India|population]] of 52,074,<ref name="districtcensus"/> roughly equal to the nation of [[Saint Kitts and Nevis]].<ref name="cia">{{cite web | author = US Directorate of Intelligence | title = Country Comparison: Population | url = https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2119rank.html | accessdate = 2011-10-01 | quote = Saint Kitts and Nevis 50,314 July 2011 est.
According to the [[2011 census of India|2011 census]] Diu district has a [[Demographics of India|population]] of 52,074,<ref name="districtcensus"/> roughly equal to the nation of [[Saint Kitts and Nevis]].<ref name="cia">{{cite web | author = US Directorate of Intelligence | title = Country Comparison: Population | url = https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2119rank.html | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070613004507/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2119rank.html | url-status = dead | archive-date = 13 June 2007 | accessdate = 2011-10-01 | quote = Saint Kitts and Nevis 50,314 July 2011 est.
}}</ref>  This gives it a ranking of 631st in India (out of a total of [[Districts of India|640]]).<ref name=districtcensus/> The district has a population density of {{convert| 1301 |PD/sqkm|PD/sqmi}} .<ref name=districtcensus/> Its [[Family planning in India|population growth rate]] over the decade 2001-2011 was  17.73%.<ref name=districtcensus/> Diu has a [[sex ratio]] of 1030 [[Women in India|females]] for every 1000 males,<ref name=districtcensus/> and a [[Literacy in India|literacy rate]] of 83.36%.<ref name=districtcensus/>
}}</ref>  This gives it a ranking of 631st in India (out of a total of [[Districts of India|640]]).<ref name=districtcensus/> The district has a population density of {{convert| 1301 |PD/sqkm|PD/sqmi}} .<ref name=districtcensus/> Its [[Family planning in India|population growth rate]] over the decade 2001-2011 was  17.73%.<ref name=districtcensus/> Diu has a [[sex ratio]] of 1030 [[Women in India|females]] for every 1000 males,<ref name=districtcensus/> and a [[Literacy in India|literacy rate]] of 83.36%.<ref name=districtcensus/>
There is a small community of the variety of Indo-Portuguese creole spoken in the region known as [[Daman and Diu Portuguese Creole]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=District at a Glance|url=https://diu.gov.in/district-at-a-glance/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Survey chapter: Diu Indo-Portuguese|url=https://apics-online.info/surveys/39}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Firangiwada Heritage Walk|url=https://makeithappen.co.in/tour/firangiwada-heritage-walk/}}</ref>


== Sister cities ==
== Sister cities ==
[[Diu Island]] is twinned with the city of [[Loures]], in Portugal.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cm-loures.pt/Ligacao.aspx?DisplayId=612&CursorId=613 |title=Município – Cooperação externa – Diu |publisher=Câmara Municipal de Loures |location=Loures, Portugual |year=2014 |website=cm-loures.pt |language=Portuguese |accessdate=17 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129041115/http://www.cm-loures.pt/Ligacao.aspx?DisplayId=612&CursorId=613 |archive-date=29 November 2014 |url-status=live  }}</ref>
[[Diu Island]] is twinned with the city of [[Loures]], in Portugal.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cm-loures.pt/Ligacao.aspx?DisplayId=612&CursorId=613 |title=Município – Cooperação externa – Diu |publisher=Câmara Municipal de Loures |location=Loures, Portugal |year=2014 |website=cm-loures.pt |language=Portuguese |accessdate=17 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129041115/http://www.cm-loures.pt/Ligacao.aspx?DisplayId=612&CursorId=613 |archive-date=29 November 2014 |url-status=live  }}</ref>
 
== Landmarks ==
Diu is home to a few surviving buildings and monuments with [[Portuguese architecture]]. The best preserved are the churches and fortifications.
 
The nearest railway junction is Veraval, which is 90&nbsp;km from Diu. Major cities like Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Pune, Jabalpur (Madhya Pradesh), Dwarka and Thiruvananthapuram are directly connected to Veraval Railway Station. Delwada is 8&nbsp;km from Diu.
 
===Churches and chapels===
[[File:Major Churches of Diu Island.jpg|thumb|Major Church Buildings on Diu Island (Anticlockwise from top):<br>
1. Churches of St. Paul and St. Thomas (Diu)<br>
2. Church of St. Francis of Assisi (Diu)<br>
3. Church of Our Lady of Remedes (Fudam)<br>
4. Church of Our Lady of Mercy (Vanakbara)]]
There has been a steady exodus of Christians from Diu<ref>{{Cite web |title=Census: Population: by Religion: Christian: Daman and Diu|url=https://www.ceicdata.com/en/india/census-population-by-religion-christian/census-population-by-religion-christian-daman-and-diu}}</ref> ever since the [[Annexation of Goa|Invasion of 1961]]. This has led to many of their historic and historic and religious sites being victims of abandonment, disrepair, conversion to secular use or demolishment.
 
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! '''Type'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Schools in the territory of Diu during the Portuguese India|url=https://www.diuvanzadarjisamajuk.org/2020/07/12/schools-in-the-territory-of-diu-during-the-portuguese-india/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Diu|url=https://hpip.org/pt/Contents/Place/422}}</ref>
! '''Portuguese Name'''
! '''English Translation'''
! '''Location'''
! '''Current Status'''
|-
| '''Cathedral'''
| [[St. Paul's Church, Diu|Catedral de São Paulo (Sé)]]
| Church of St. Paul
| [[Diu, India|Diu Town]]
| Active<br>(demoted to church)
|-
| '''Church'''
| [[St. Thomas Church (Diu)|Igreja de São Tomás]]
| Church of St. Thomas
| Diu Town
| Secularized<br>(Museum)
|-
| '''Church'''
| [[St. Francis of Assisi Church (Diu)|Igreja de São Francisco de Assis]]
| Church of St. Francis of Assisi
| Diu Town
| Secularized<br>(Hospital)
|-
| '''Church '''
| [[Church of St. John of God (Diu)|Igreja de São João de Deus]]
| Church of St. John of God
| Diu Town
| Inactive<br>(Ruins)
|-
| '''Church'''
| Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Esperança
| Church of Our Lady of Hope
| Diu town
| Inactive<br>(Ruins)
|-
| '''Church'''
| Igreja da Misericórdia
| Church of Mercy (informally 'Fort Church')
| [[Diu Fort]]
| Inactive<br>(Ruins)
|-
| '''Church'''
| [[Church of Our Lady of Remedes (Fudam)|Igreja de Nossa Senhora dos Remédios]]
| Church of Our Lady of Remedies
| [[Fudam|Podamo]]
| Active
|-
| '''Church'''
| [[Church of Our Lady of Mercy (Vanakbara)|Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Misericórdia]]
| Church of Our Lady of Mercy
| [[Vanakbara|Brancavará]]
| Inactive<br>(Intact)
|-
| '''Convent'''
| Convento dos Dominicanos
| Dominican Convent
| Diu town
| Demolished (1961)
|-
| '''Convent'''
| [[Convent of St. Anne (Diu)|Convento de Santa Ana]]
| Convent of St. Anne
| Diu Town
| Active<br>(School)
|-
| '''Chapel'''
| Capela de São Tiago
| Chapel of St. James
| Diu Fort
| Inactive<br>(Ruins)
|-
| '''Chapel'''
| Capela de São Martinho
| Chapel of Saint Martin
| Diu Fort
| Demolished (2023)
|-
| '''Chapel'''
| Capela de Nossa Senhora da Vitória
| Chapel of Our Lady of Victory
| [[Fortim do Mar]]
| Inactive<br>(Ruins)
|-
|}


== Tourism ==
===Fortresses===
Diu is home to various buildings and monuments with Portuguese-styled architecture. The nearest railway junction is Veraval, which is 90&nbsp;km from Diu. Major cities like Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Pune, Jabalpur (Madhya Pradesh), Dwarka and Thiruvananthapuram are directly connected to Veraval Railway Station. Delwada is 8&nbsp;km from Diu.
Due to constant invasions from [[Sultanate of Gujarat|neighboring kingdoms]] as well as distant powers, the Portuguese built several fortifications all over the district. Most survived to this day, although some have little to no physical traces of their existence.  


;Fortresses and churches
{| class="wikitable sortable"
*[[Diu Fort]]
|-
*[[St. Thomas Church, Diu]], now a museum.
! '''Portuguese Name'''
*Nadia Caves
! '''English Translation'''
*[[St. Paul's Church, Diu]]
! '''Location'''
*[[Fortim do Mar, Diu]]
! '''Current Status'''
*[[Fort St. Anthony of Simbor|Fortim do Mar, Simbor]]
|-
| Cidadela de Diu
| [[Diu Fortress]]
| Diu Town
|
|-
| [[Fortim do Mar]]
| Panikota
| Diu Town
| Ruin
|-
| [[Fort St. Anthony of Simbor|Forte Santo Antonio]]
| Fort St. Anthony of Simbor
| [[Simbor]]
| Ruin
|-
| Forte de Nagoá
| -
| Nagoá near [[Fudam|Podamo]]
| Ruins lost
|-
| Forte de Barra
| -
| [[Vanakbara|Brancavará]]
| Ruins lost
|-
|}


;Beaches
===Beaches===
* [[Nagoá Beach]], most visited beach in Diu and has a [[Fort of Nagoá|fort ruin]].
* [[Nagoá Beach]], most visited beach in on Diu.
* Ghogolá Beach, largest beach off the island of Diu
* Ghogolá Beach, largest beach off the island of Diu.
* Chakratirth Beach
* Chakratirth Beach
* Barra Beach has a [[Fort of Barra|fort ruin]]
* Barra Beach
* Nadia Caves


=== Gallery ===
=== Gallery ===
Line 118: Line 286:
File:View of Water Fort Prison from Diu Fort with watch tower of Diu Fort.JPG|View of Water Fort Prison from Diu Fort with watchtower of Diu Fort
File:View of Water Fort Prison from Diu Fort with watch tower of Diu Fort.JPG|View of Water Fort Prison from Diu Fort with watchtower of Diu Fort
Wall of the Portuguese Fort of Diu.jpg|Portuguese Fort
Wall of the Portuguese Fort of Diu.jpg|Portuguese Fort
File:Diu shores in Monsoon.jpg|Diu shores in Monsoon
</gallery>
</gallery>
==See also==
*[[Indo-Portuguese]]
*[[Portuguese Goa and Damaon]]
*[[Damaon and Dio Portuguese creole]]


==References==
==References==

Latest revision as of 02:25, 26 February 2026

Diu district
District
Map of Diu district, the exclave of Simbor is not shown
Map of Diu district, the exclave of Simbor is not shown
Diu district is located in India
Diu district
Diu district
Diu district location
Coordinates: 20°43′N 70°59′E / 20.71°N 70.98°E / 20.71; 70.98
Country India
Union Territory Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu
Founded byFrancisco de Almeida
HeadquarterDiu Town
Area
 • Total40 km2 (20 sq mi)
Elevation
30 m (100 ft)
Population
 (2011)
 • Total52,074
 • Density1,300/km2 (3,400/sq mi)
DemonymDiucar/ Diuese[1][2]
Languages[3]
 • OfficialHindi, English
 • Additional officialGujarati
Websitehttp://diu.gov.in/

Diu district (/ˈdiːuː/) (formerly Distrito de Dio)[4] is one of the three districts of the union territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu of India.[5] The district is made up of Diu Island and two small enclaves of Simbor and Gogola, at the border with the state of Gujarat. The district headquarters are at Diu Town. It is the ninth least populous district in the country (out of 640).[6]

History[edit | edit source]

Distrito de Dio, India Portuguesa (1920).
The Diu Fortress was built in 1535 by the Portuguese, when Bahadur Shah, the Sultan of Gujarat, requested their help to resist an attack by Humayun, the second Moghal emperor.

The district was historically part of the Saurashtra region of Gujarat. Mirroring the system of administrative division in Portugal, Diu district (Distrito de Diu) was established as an administrative division of the Portuguese State of India (Estado da Índia) in the first half of the 19th century. It was headed by a district governor, subordinate to the governor-general of Portuguese India in Goa. The district included the single municipality of Diu, which was further subdivided into civil parishes.[7]

It remained an overseas territory of Portugal until it was annexed by Indian forces on 19 December 1961. From 1961 to 1987, it was a part of the union territory of Goa, Daman and Diu. In 1987, it became a part of the newly formed union territory of Daman and Diu. In January 2020, the district became part of the new union territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.[7]

Geography[edit | edit source]

Diu district occupies an area of 40 square kilometres (15 sq mi),[8]

It consists of Diu Island and a part on the mainland (the Ghogolá peninsula). 20 km East of Diu Island, is the small territory of Simbor.

Sub-districts[edit | edit source]

Diu Island[edit | edit source]

The town of Diu and most of the district's villages and settlements are on Diu Island. Many of these places have been renamed since the Invasion of 1961.

Settlement type Portuguese name Indian name
Town Diu Diu
Village Podamo Fudam
Village Bunxivará Bucharwada
Settlement Dangarvadi Dangarwadi
Village Brancavará Vanakbara
Uninhabited Fortim do Mar Pani Kota
Uninhabited Castilo de Diu Diu Fortress

Ghogholá[edit | edit source]

The area on the mainland borders Gir Somnath district of Gujarat. It contains the village of Ghogholá. The village lies on the mainland opposite the eastern end of the island .

Simbor[edit | edit source]

The tiny territory of Simbor, located about 25 km east of the town of Diu, is also part of the district. It has no permanent population.

Demographics[edit | edit source]

According to the 2011 census Diu district has a population of 52,074,[6] roughly equal to the nation of Saint Kitts and Nevis.[9] This gives it a ranking of 631st in India (out of a total of 640).[6] The district has a population density of 1,301 inhabitants per square kilometre (3,370/sq mi) .[6] Its population growth rate over the decade 2001-2011 was 17.73%.[6] Diu has a sex ratio of 1030 females for every 1000 males,[6] and a literacy rate of 83.36%.[6]

There is a small community of the variety of Indo-Portuguese creole spoken in the region known as Daman and Diu Portuguese Creole.[10][11][12]

Sister cities[edit | edit source]

Diu Island is twinned with the city of Loures, in Portugal.[13]

Landmarks[edit | edit source]

Diu is home to a few surviving buildings and monuments with Portuguese architecture. The best preserved are the churches and fortifications.

The nearest railway junction is Veraval, which is 90 km from Diu. Major cities like Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Pune, Jabalpur (Madhya Pradesh), Dwarka and Thiruvananthapuram are directly connected to Veraval Railway Station. Delwada is 8 km from Diu.

Churches and chapels[edit | edit source]

Major Church Buildings on Diu Island (Anticlockwise from top):
1. Churches of St. Paul and St. Thomas (Diu)
2. Church of St. Francis of Assisi (Diu)
3. Church of Our Lady of Remedes (Fudam)
4. Church of Our Lady of Mercy (Vanakbara)

There has been a steady exodus of Christians from Diu[14] ever since the Invasion of 1961. This has led to many of their historic and historic and religious sites being victims of abandonment, disrepair, conversion to secular use or demolishment.

Type[15][16] Portuguese Name English Translation Location Current Status
Cathedral Catedral de São Paulo (Sé) Church of St. Paul Diu Town Active
(demoted to church)
Church Igreja de São Tomás Church of St. Thomas Diu Town Secularized
(Museum)
Church Igreja de São Francisco de Assis Church of St. Francis of Assisi Diu Town Secularized
(Hospital)
Church Igreja de São João de Deus Church of St. John of God Diu Town Inactive
(Ruins)
Church Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Esperança Church of Our Lady of Hope Diu town Inactive
(Ruins)
Church Igreja da Misericórdia Church of Mercy (informally 'Fort Church') Diu Fort Inactive
(Ruins)
Church Igreja de Nossa Senhora dos Remédios Church of Our Lady of Remedies Podamo Active
Church Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Misericórdia Church of Our Lady of Mercy Brancavará Inactive
(Intact)
Convent Convento dos Dominicanos Dominican Convent Diu town Demolished (1961)
Convent Convento de Santa Ana Convent of St. Anne Diu Town Active
(School)
Chapel Capela de São Tiago Chapel of St. James Diu Fort Inactive
(Ruins)
Chapel Capela de São Martinho Chapel of Saint Martin Diu Fort Demolished (2023)
Chapel Capela de Nossa Senhora da Vitória Chapel of Our Lady of Victory Fortim do Mar Inactive
(Ruins)

Fortresses[edit | edit source]

Due to constant invasions from neighboring kingdoms as well as distant powers, the Portuguese built several fortifications all over the district. Most survived to this day, although some have little to no physical traces of their existence.

Portuguese Name English Translation Location Current Status
Cidadela de Diu Diu Fortress Diu Town
Fortim do Mar Panikota Diu Town Ruin
Forte Santo Antonio Fort St. Anthony of Simbor Simbor Ruin
Forte de Nagoá - Nagoá near Podamo Ruins lost
Forte de Barra - Brancavará Ruins lost

Beaches[edit | edit source]

  • Nagoá Beach, most visited beach in on Diu.
  • Ghogolá Beach, largest beach off the island of Diu.
  • Chakratirth Beach
  • Barra Beach
  • Nadia Caves

Gallery[edit | edit source]

  • Diu Fort Fixed Cannons
    Diu Fort Fixed Cannons
  • St. Thomas Church, Diu
    St. Thomas Church, Diu
  • Diu fort
    Diu fort
  • Nadia Caves of Diu
    Nadia Caves of Diu
  • St. Paul's Church, Diu
    St. Paul's Church, Diu
  • Church in Nani Daman Fort
    Church in Nani Daman Fort
  • Se Cathedral
    Se Cathedral
  • View of Water Fort Prison from Diu Fort with watchtower of Diu Fort
    View of Water Fort Prison from Diu Fort with watchtower of Diu Fort
  • Portuguese Fort
    Portuguese Fort
  • Diu shores in Monsoon
    Diu shores in Monsoon

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ "Survey chapter: Diu Indo-Portuguese".
  2. ↑ "Diu Indo-Portuguese at present".
  3. ↑ "52nd Report of the Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities in India" (PDF). 29 March 2016. p. 87. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 May 2017. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
  4. ↑ Almeida, José C. (1965). "Alguns aspectos demograficos de Goa, Damao e Dio: Some demographic aspects of Goa, Daman & Diu".
  5. ↑ "Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu UTs merge for 'better admin efficiency, service': MoS Home". Indus Dictum. 4 December 2019. Archived from the original on 11 November 2021. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 "District Census 2011". Census2011.co.in. 2011. Retrieved 30 September 2011.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Diu History". Diu Tourism Department. U.T. Administration of Dadra & Nagar Haveli And Daman & Diu. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
  8. ↑ Srivastava, Dayawanti et al. (ed.) (2010). "States and Union Territories: Daman and Diu: Government". India 2010: A Reference Annual (54th ed.). New Delhi, India: Additional Director General, Publications Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (India), Government of India. p. 1216. ISBN 978-81-230-1617-7. {{cite book}}: |last1= has generic name (help)
  9. ↑ US Directorate of Intelligence. "Country Comparison: Population". Archived from the original on 13 June 2007. Retrieved 1 October 2011. Saint Kitts and Nevis 50,314 July 2011 est.
  10. ↑ "District at a Glance".
  11. ↑ "Survey chapter: Diu Indo-Portuguese".
  12. ↑ "Firangiwada Heritage Walk".
  13. ↑ "Município – Cooperação externa – Diu". cm-loures.pt (in Portuguese). Loures, Portugal: Câmara Municipal de Loures. 2014. Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 17 November 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  14. ↑ "Census: Population: by Religion: Christian: Daman and Diu".
  15. ↑ "Schools in the territory of Diu during the Portuguese India".
  16. ↑ "Diu".

External links[edit | edit source]

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