DIU INTRODUCTION

Daman and Diu are the two separate isolated land blocks situated at a distance of about 800 kms
away from each other on the western coastal border of Gujarat State, abutting the Arabian Sea. Both
these pockets formerly each comprising a District of erstwhile Union Territory of Goa has been
formed into a separate Union Territory viz. Daman and Diu after delinking from Goa. Earlier they
were Portuguese Colonies until 19th December, 1961 when they got liberated alongwith Goa. As in
the case of Daman, Diu which is an island covering only 40 sq.km. in area, also becomes a ‘Region’,
purely on administrative and political reasons. As per documented records the history of Diu begins
with the Mauryas in 322 BC. This part was conquered by the Portuguese in 1546. In between the
above periods, both Daman and Diu had chaptered history, having been under the possession of
and ruled by many Kings and Dynasties

DIU WEATHER

The Climate of Diu is normally pleasant throughout the year. The Monsoon season is from: June to
September. Temperature range: 15° C to 40° C. Average Rainfall: 55 cm. The Diu islet enjoys a
maritime climate which is constantly affected by the sea breezes. The weather remains dry but
pleasant throughout the year. In the winters Diu temperature reaches a maximum of 26 ° C while
minimum being 20 ° C. During summers the maximum temperatures do not rise above 36 degrees
and the minimum does not fall below 20° C. The annual rainfall received by the island is 540
millimeters with the monsoon season lasting from the month of June to September. The weather in
Diu during the summer season is not too hot and is simply bearable
 DIU FESTIVAL

Festival Village is Asia\'s longest beach festival situated at a distance of 1 km from Diu Airport and 3
km from Nagoa Beach. This beach festival in Diu provides free breakfast service to its guests. Festa
De Diu - Festival Village in Diu accommodates 60 air-conditioned tents. The wooden floored tents
are equipped with amenities like lamps, separate seating area, king-size beds, television, porch and
an attached bathroom with hot and cold water facility. This beach festival in Diu has arranged more
than 20 musicians, 10 comedians, 15 bands, 6 heritage walks and 30 workshops that will take ones
breath away. Guests can also enjoy various activities like hot-air balloon ride, zip lining and bungee
jumping set up by the organizers. There is a conference room within the premises to host meeting
and seminars. Diu Fort (9 km), Gangeshwar Mahadev Temple (7 km) and Ghoghla Beach (12 km)
are the famous attractions from this property.Delvada Railway Station is 17 km away from this
property

DIU LOCATION
The Island of Diu is situated slightly off the coast of Kathiawar (Saurashtra) near the Port of Veraval
at the entrance of Gulf of Cambay bounded by the Chassi River on the North and the Arabian Sea
on the remaining three sides with a coastal length of 21 kms It lies between the parallels 20°-44’-34”
and 20°-42’-00”of latitude in North and between meridians 71°-00’-24” and 70°-52’-26” of longitude
East of Greenwich. Diu occupies an area of 40 sq. km. Its maximum width from the extreme north to
south measures 4.6 km. and length from east to west is 13.8 km
 DIU FOOD

Diu is a unique and composite blend of Gujarat\'s and Portuguese cuisine.This blend then, leaves
few food domains that are not covered in the island\'s menu. On one hand you find traditional Gujrati
food, its flavors and elements derived from the state nearby and on the other hand you have an
influence of the past with Portugeese cuisine only complimented by the sea around and a
dominance of exotic sea food. While these are the defining cultures, one can find a few more
international cuisines as well as typical Indian food in the restaurants. The island is also popular
because of availability of alcoholt, givent the adjacent dry state of Gujrat. This open aired restaurant
at Hoka Island Villa with its pleasant, tree-shading ambience is excellent with breakfasts. Their
prawn coconut curry and fish & chips are worth mentioning. Going with its name, the Night Heron
Restaurant is more suited for evening meals or just relaxing with some beer. It serves South Indian
cuisine for breakfast while lunch and dinner menus feature North Indian and Chinese cuisine

DIU CULTURE
 Diu was a part of Gujarat before the Portuguese conquered it. Traditionally carry on the life pattern
and rhythm as that of Gujarat and Saurashtra Cultural Region. Diu is an extension of Kathiawad
Cultural Zone which influences language, dress patterns, food habits, customs and practices and
other cultural elements. The ethnic mosaic of Diu comprises of Hindus, viz Kharwa, Koli, Brahman,
Bania, Vanza, Salat, Sanghadia, Bhoiraj, Dhobi, Vankar, Bhangi and the tribal namely Siddi, Muslim
viz. Momin and Khoja and Christians. Most of the Hindu Communities consider themselves the
descendants of Rajputs which referring to the ATAK (Surname) GOTRA (Clan) names. While the
Kharwa, Koli, Vanza and Salat claim to be the original inhabitants of Diu, other perceives them as
migrants from various places of Gujarat and Saurashtra. The staple diet is fish, rice and bajri

DIU HISTORY

The documented history of the District of Diu begins with the Maurya rule (c. 322-220 B.C.). Emperor
Chandragupta Maurya had extended his supremacy over Saurashtra and had appointed
Pushagupta as Governor of the province of Saurashtra with the Head-quarters in village Girnar near
Junagadh. Yavanraj Tushappa ruled over Saurashtra as Governer of Emperor Ashoka (c.273-237
B.C.). Emperor Ashoka had sent Yavana Thero named Dhammarakhito as evangelist to the western
sea board including Diu. His grandson Samprati (c. 229-220 B.C.) seems to have ruled over
Saurashtra from Ujjain. He propagated Jainism and erected many Jain Temples. The Jain traditions
from Diu seems to belong to this period.
THE RULER'S

The District seems to be under the rule of Indo-Greek kings Eukratides (C. 171-150 B.C.),
Meanandar (C. 115-90 B.C.) and Appollodotes II of the 1st Century B.C. to about A.D. 50. During 1st
Century, the district seems to have been ruled by Kshaharatas who had established their rule over
western part of India including Saurashtra. For more than the next thousand years, Diu formed part
of the kingdoms of dynasties that ruled over the western India including Gujarat. The last king of the
Vaja dynasty ruler of Somnath Patan ruled over Diu in the first decade of the fifteenth century.
Thereafter, Diu came under the control of the Muslims Sultans of Gujarat who seen to have ruled
Diu for the next one and a half centuries.

PORTUGUESE GOVERNOR

Early in 1535, the Portuguese Governor De Cunha had led his expedition for the capture of the town
in Diu, but was defeated by the Sultan. However, around that period, the Gujarat Sultan Bahadur
 Shah's kingdom was overwhelmed by Mughal invasion. Pressed by Mughal king Humayun on one
side and the Portuguese at the gates of Diu, Bahadur Shah entered into a treaty with Nuno De
Cunha on October 25, 1535 who agreed to assist Bahadur Shah against his enemy by land and sea.
In turn he received permission to construct a fortress at Diu and a site was granted for this purpose
in the harbour. After the Mughal danger was receded, the Shah of Gujarat realised his mistake in
allowing the Portuguese to construct the fort. Finally Diu was conquered by the Portuguese in 1546
who ruled there till 1961. Liberated on 19th December, 1961 from Portuguese; became a part of the
U.T. of Goa, Daman and Diu under Government of India. After Statehood of Goa on 30th May, 1987,
Daman and Diu became a separate U.T