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Daman & Diu !......
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 ClothingBoth 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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