Diu District is an island lying off the south coast of Gujarat's Kathiawar peninsula, separated from the mainland by a tidal creek.
History
Diu is a city in Diu district in the union territory of Daman and Diu, India. It was the location of the pivotal Battle of Diu in 1509 between Portugal and a combined force of Turkey, Egypt, Venice, the Republic of Ragusa (now known as Dubrovnik) and the then Sultan of Gujarat, Mahmud Begada.
In 1535 Bahadur Shah, the Sultan of Gujarat, concluded a defensive alliance with the Portuguese against the Mughal emperor Humayun, and allowed the Portuguese to construct the Diu Fort and maintain a garrison on the island. The alliance quickly unravelled, and attempts by the Sultans to oust the Portuguese from Diu between 1537 and 1546 failed. The Siege of Diu by the Ottoman Empire in 1538 was unsuccessful to repel the Portuguese. The fortress, completed by Dom João de Castro after the siege of 1545, still stands. The island was occupied by the Indian military on 19 December 1961.
Tourism
Best Season : September to May
Rush Season : Diwali Time ( 5 Days in between Oct to Nov), Christmas ( 26th Dec to 2nd Jan)
Clothing : Cottons in summer, Light woollens in winter.
Languages : Gujarati, English, Hindi, and Portuguese.
Transportation : Luxury Bus Services and State transport bus service available in Diu. Auto rickshaw for local transport.
Air Transportation : Jet Airways services the island from the mainland, landing at Diu Airport.
Distances (in kms)
Ahmedabad : 420
Una : 16
Kodinar : 40
Somnath Veraval : 80
Facts and Figures
Area : 40 km²
Population : 44,110 (2001 census)
Town Location : Eastern end of the island
Known for : its fortress and old Portuguese Cathedral. It is also a fishing town.
