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HISTORY & GEOGRAPHY
After Liberation on 19th December, 1961 from Portuguese Rule of
more than four centuries, Daman and Diu became a part of the Union
Territory of Goa, Daman and Diu under Government of India. After
delinking of Goa, which attained statehood, Union Territory of Daman
and Diu came into existence on 30th May, 1987.
GEOGRAPHY
Daman lies on an alluvial coastal plain, although outcrops of basalt
create low plateaus and promontories in the area. The Daman Ganga
River flows through the territory, with Daman town situated where
the river enters the Arabian Sea.
Mean daily maximum temperatures range from the mid-80s F (near
30 °C) in January to the low 90s F (about 34°C) in May. Annual
rainfall, received mainly between June and September, averages
about 80 inches (2,000 mm).
The people of Daman are predominantly Hindu, with small Muslim
and Christian minorities. Gujarati is the main language. Less than
one-tenth of the territory's population consists of Scheduled Tribes
(Being considered indigenous minority people with low standards of
living and backward class community). Of these communities the
Dubla, Dhodia, and Varli are the largest groups.
Agriculture and fishing dominate the economies of Daman. Rice, Ragi
(also called finger millet), pulses (legumes), and beans are among the
main crops of Daman and Diu. A smaller portion of land is cultivated
in Diu than in Daman, however. Much of the industrial growth of the
territory has been promoted through the efforts of the government.
The largest town of the territory-Daman is a commercial center.
Liquor, plastic & wind mill industry is main source of Government
revenue and employment for both genders.
The administrative districts of Daman and Diu together constitute a
centrally governed union territory. The territory is headed by an
administrator, who is appointed by the central Indian government.
The Administrator of Daman and Diu also administrator Dadra &
Nagar Haveli another union territory situated at 32 kms from Daman.
But latest changes have been effected by Ministry of Home Affairs,
New Delhi who separated the administrates of Daman & Diu from
Dadra & Nagar Haveli. A political personality has appointed as
administrator of Daman & Diu The Administrator earlier looking both
union territories has been shifted to Silvasa to administrate union
territory of Dadra & Nagar Haveli.
AFTER 1947
At the time of the British Indian Empire's dissolution in 1947,
Portuguese India was subdivided into three districts located on
modern-day India's western coast, sometimes referred to collectively spite of this, Portugal only recognized Indian control in 1975, after the country known as Lata which was one of the seven divisions of the Portuguese rule of about 450 years apart, Daman and Diu has been
as Goa: These were Goa, Daman (Portuguese: Damão) which Carnation Revolution and the fall of the Estado Novo regime. Aparanta or Konkan Vishaya between second century B. C. to part of Gujarat. The two territories were noted for their weaving,
included the inland enclaves of Dadra and Nagar Haveli; and Diu. thirteenth century A. D. Diu, another Portuguese possession dyeing and trade with the Middle East countries. Both Daman and Diu
As part of the all-India project the ethnographic survey of Daman and
Portugal lost effective control of the enclaves of Dadra and Nagar described as part of Saurashtra coastal belt, has been well known enjoyed a significant position for their docks, ship-building yards and
Diu was taken up for the first time. Twenty-eight communities were
Haveli in 1954, and finally the rest of the overseas territory in since Pauranic period as Jalandhar Kshetra and Mani Nagar which trade of cotton fabrics, opium and the unique art of turtle-shell craft
identified and studied. Daman, one of the three Portuguese
December 1961, when it was taken by India after military action. In was under Yadavas lead by Krishna Vasudeva. It was known as one of developed during Portuguese regime. The communities studied under
possessions on South Gujarat coastal strips, formed part of the
the best sea-ports and naval base from 14th to 16th century A. D. The the project, include the fisher folk, tribal, peasants, traders, weavers,
4 daman (damão) introduction 5

