Diu district is one of the three districts of the Indian union territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu. It comprises the island of Diu, situated off the southern coast of the Kathiawar peninsula of Gujarat, along with a small mainland enclave at Ghoghla. The district headquarters is the town of Diu.
Key facts
| Country | India |
|---|---|
| Union territory | Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu |
| Headquarters | Diu |
| Region | Off the Kathiawar coast, Arabian Sea |
| Adjacent state | Gujarat (Gir Somnath district) |
| Official languages | Gujarati, Hindi, English |
| Former status | Part of Portuguese India until 1961; part of the union territory of Daman and Diu until 2020 |
Geography
The district is dominated by Diu Island, which is separated from the Gujarat mainland by a narrow tidal creek. The mainland portion of the district consists chiefly of the locality of Ghoghla, which lies on the Kathiawar coast and serves as the principal land approach to the island. The terrain is largely flat with limestone outcrops, sandy beaches, and a coastline shaped by the Arabian Sea. The climate is tropical, moderated by the sea, with the south-west monsoon bringing the bulk of annual rainfall.
History
Diu has a long maritime history as a trading port on the Arabian Sea. It came under Portuguese control in 1535, when the local ruler of Gujarat permitted the construction of a fortress, and remained part of Portuguese India for over four centuries. The Battle of Diu (1509) and the subsequent sieges in the sixteenth century were significant in establishing Portuguese maritime power in the Indian Ocean.
Diu was integrated into the Republic of India in December 1961 following Operation Vijay, the Indian military action that ended Portuguese rule in Goa, Daman and Diu. It was administered as part of the union territory of Goa, Daman and Diu until 1987, when Goa attained statehood and Daman and Diu became a separate union territory.
On 26 January 2020, the union territories of Daman and Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli were merged into a single union territory by an Act of Parliament. Diu thereafter became one of the three districts of the combined union territory.
Administration
The district is administered by a Collector and District Magistrate appointed under the union territory administration. Local civic administration in the principal town is handled by the Diu Municipal Council. Law and order is maintained by the union territory police. The district sends representatives to local panchayats and is represented in the Lok Sabha through the Daman and Diu parliamentary constituency.
Economy
The economy of Diu district rests primarily on tourism, fisheries, and small-scale services. The Portuguese-era fort, churches, beaches at Nagoa and Ghoghla, and the old town's colonial architecture draw domestic and international visitors. Fishing remains an important traditional livelihood for coastal communities. Agriculture is limited owing to the small land area and saline soils, with coconut and millets being among the crops grown.
Culture and language
The district has a distinct cultural identity shaped by its long Portuguese association overlaid on a Gujarati base. Gujarati is the most widely spoken language, with Hindi and English used in administration. A small Portuguese-speaking community and the use of Indo-Portuguese surnames remain visible legacies. Hindu, Christian and Muslim communities are present, and festivals from each tradition are observed.
Transport
Diu is connected to the Gujarat mainland by road bridges across the creek at Ghoghla. Diu Airport provides limited civil aviation services. The nearest major railheads are in Gujarat's Gir Somnath and Junagadh districts. Coastal shipping and fishing harbours support local maritime activity.