Daman Tourism


	The name of DAMAN is traced to the 1^st Century A.D. In the latter part of the XIII Century when the Timmur Invasion expedited the fall of the Sultanate of Delhi. It was formed out of the dismembered Sultanate and was governed by MLEI MOLUK who governed the Throne of Cambay, under which jurisdiction it fell.

However in ancient times it comprised of two Praganas known as PRAGANA KALANA PAVRI or the LOTUS OF THE MARSHLANDS separated from PRAGANA NEAR by a River Ganga originating in the Hills of Paugysauvar in the Kandesh region. The river passes through the Portuguese villages of Bildary and Gurvary, runs through in various direction through the Pragana NAGAR HAVELI, rounds the south of DADRA enters the Pragana of Kalana Parvi and Naer and meets the Arbian Sea. The Pragaba Kalana Pavri comprise of 13 villagesand 12,883 inhabitants while the Pragana Naer consisted of 23 villages.

It is situated at a Latitude 20.22 North and Longitude 72.35 East of Greenwhich. It comprised an area of 384 square kilometers from the River Auranga in the North to River Agashi or Dantura on the South and with a total population of 49,084 inhabitants as per the Census of 1881. The expansionism of the British and the financial turmoil in the early 1900 witnessed the dismembering Daman from Nagar Haveli and the Daman Road Railway Station was taken over by the Satyagarah movement and joined the mainstream within the Indian Union. Later on 18^th December, 1961 the Operation Vijaya annexed and occupied the Territory for Indian Union. And in 1975 the Treaty of Friendship and Peace accorded DE FACTO recognition to form an integral part and parcel of India. From the glorious past with three provinces, one full fledged city, one Villa denominated Palace of Arcos, 101 villages, three parishes and 9,842 cannons it became into tiny 72Sq. Km. In area spread between the Kolak River on the North to the Kalai River on the south. The Pragana Kalana Pavri is known as Nani Daman or Small Daman and the Pragana Naer is known as Moti Daman and the Pragana Naer is known as Moti Daman or Big Daman.
As against the denuded and arid neighboring regions f Gujarat, Daman enjoys a lot of greenery and boasts an enjoyable atmosphere conducive to inherent peace of mind and serenity not easily found elsewhere in the dins and bustles of modern day pace of life and business activities.
Daman in the past sustained great business activities as well as total decadence. The business activities extended to the Oriental coast of Africa, where annually it exported cotton and cotton products manufactured in their weaving cottage industry. From 1917 to 1937 the opium trade gained predominance which was exported from Karachi to Daman and from where it was re exported to China which provided huge income which was sent to public coders at Goa and from which funds a great number of buildings pertaining to the State was erected at Panjim and Campal dominated as D. Manuel de Portugal e Castro.
Daman also witnessed heavy ship buildings activities and its port was always filled with hundreds of vessels from near and far which ceased in the year 1838 when the English gained possession of the Port of Karachi and banned all exports to Daman. From this date we can say that the decadence started which continued its downward well until late 1961 when it was annexed to the Union of India. The administration was exercised by the Captain of the Port which was also known by the title of the Governor of Daman who discharged both military and civil functions, under the Daman & Diu. The Treasury was administered by the Body comprising of the Governor as President, the Delegate to the Procurator of the Crown and Treasury, of the Factor of Overseer and of the Administrative Clerk. The Treasury received orders, there was also the Customs Services which the Decree No 42 dated 15th January, 1881(Official Gazette No. 5) delegated powers to the Chief of Customs of Daman and Diu the process of salt and akbari. While the Christians inhabitants are governed by the Portuguese Rules, the Non-Christians inhabitants are governed by the Code of Usage and customs published at New Goa (Panjim) on 31st August, 1854. The Non-Christians inhabitants divides into the following categories:

BANIAS: Ladd, Porwad, Modd, Dosa-Simali, Vissa-Simali, Dosa-Vossual, Gujor, Nagar, Panchola, Oudich, Simali, Toloquia and Mevara.

MUSLIMS: Moors, Seamen, Weavers, Ganchis, Ajams, Katkis

HINDUS: Prabhus, Sonis, Dekhnis, Kori Patels, Masons, Suthars, Blacksmith, Barea-Machhis, Somvansi-Xatris, Dubars, Dhobis, Cobblers, Non-muslim barbers, Cambatias, Noria-Machhis, Salmis, Capris, Sagars, Khumbars, Gates, Manguelas, Baria, Parsis, Boruja, Live-Calambis, Konkanas or Corumbis, Probia, Banfuia, Coja or Barbumjas, Hindiarus, Batelas, Gujarati Soni, Bandaris, Rajputs, Dorias, Varlys r Goluys, Kamalias Ora or Lotias.
All these are the inhabitants belonging to the Indo-Caucasian race pertaining to the indigenous population from Himalayas to Ceylon or Sri Lanka.