|
Daman boasts of a rich historical heritage spanning over more than
2000 years. The district of Daman of the erstwhile Union Territory of Goa,
Daman & Diu is situated in the Surat District of Gujarat. From 2nd Century
A.D., it formed a part of the country known as Lata, which was one of the
seven divisions of Konkan Vaishaya.
The edict of the Emperor Ashoka (273 to 136 B.C) was found in Saurashtra
and Sopara near Bombay. Satrya Kshatrapas under the Kushana emperor seemed
to have ruled over Daman District during the first century, A.D. The Coins
of Bhumaka and Nahapan, the kshaharata rulers were discovered in the
surrounding areas of Surat District. Ushavadatta, son-in-law of Nahapan,
is said to have provided ferries on rivers Dhanuha Dhamana, Parada and
Tapi.
This is the earliest reference of these rivers and the names of the
places, i.e. Dahanu, Daman and Pardi, remained unchanged for the last 2000
years. The District seems to have been subjected to the rule of
Gautamaputra Satakarnin, about 125 A.D., who drove away the Kshaharatas.
But Satavahana's rule was short lived.
Rudraman I, grandson of Chastan of Kadamaka branch of Kshatrapas
reconquered a large part of Western India including the sea-board from the
river Mahi in Gujarat to Ratnagiri by about 150 A.D. from Satavahana
ruler, Satakarni, and Daman district again passed under the rule of
Kshatrapa Vijayasen (234-239 A.D.) who seems to have ruled over the
district till 249 A.D. Abhir king Ishwarasena of Nasik, who conquered the
western part of the Deccan from the Satavahanas seems to have been laid by
Gautamaputra Yajnashri, campaigns the Kshatrapas from 180 to 200 A.D.
The District seems to have been subjected to the rule of traikutakas
during the 5th century, A.D. The Lata Country was ruled by Rashtrakutas of
Malkhed in the Deccan directly till 808 A.D. by the successors, Govinda II
(575- 795 A.D), Druvaraja - I (795-800 A.D) and Govinda III (800 - 808
A.D.).
Govinda III handed over the Lata kingdom to his brother Indra about. 808
A.D. and was given the title Lateswaramandalasya or the protector of
Latamandala. Indra was succeded by his son Karka who seems to have ruled
Latamandala with his brother, Govinda jointly till A.D. 826. Druva II, son
of Karka came to the throne about 835 A.D. and was succeded by Akalavarsha
in. 867. A.D. The District was passed to Tailappa II of the Chalupas of
Kalyani in 973 A.D. Tailappa II placed Lata Country in the hands of his
relative and general Barrpa alias Dvarappa Chalukya. By the middle of the
13th century, a Rajput prince Ramsingh alias Ramashah seems to have
defeated the koli chief Nathorat and established himself in the hilly
tract at Asheri of Asserseta near Daman about 1262 A.D. Ramsingh was
succeded by his son Somanath in 1295 A.D. The newly founded Ramnagar at
the foot of the ghats flourished under Somnath (1335-1360 A.D) and Daram
shah (1360-1391 A.D.). Jagatshah succeeded Gopushah and ruled during 1432
A.D. to 1470 A.D. The Portuguese from Shah of Gujarat acquired Daman. They
noticed the port of Daman for the first time in 1523. A Portuguese enclave
for 4 centuries and a half till the close of the colonial rule in 1961;
Daman has been a coveted prize for which princes, monarchs and alien
powers waged wars. Muted memories of history lie vaulted in the monuments
of Daman. It had been a melting pot, where races and cultures met and
mixed to bring forth a multi-coloured identity.
Daman is situated on the west coast of India on the Arabian Sea are exotic
locations that are blessed with sun, sand & sea. Due to their Locational
advantages, they offer excellent potential for tourist traffic.
Daman is situated at 20-22'-00" to 20-27'-25" latitude north of equator
and between meridian 72-49'-42" to 72-54'-43" longitude. An important
locational advantage of Daman is its close proximity to Bombay and it is
just 13 kms away from the nearest rail road, Vapi. Geographical area of
Daman is 72 square kms.
Locational advantages made Daman, excellent and exotic tourism
destinations with tourist traffic rising year by year.
Daman is having a pleasant climate all over the year. In summer, Daman is
blessed with cool breeze coming from over the Arabian sea.
Maximum Temperature is 39 degree centigrade and minimum is 11 degree
centigrade. The average annual rainfall is 1687 mm.
Beginning September & culminating May is the perfect period for exploring
and fascination of this wonderland, but planning a holiday in monsoon is
no less appealing and will evoke a great deal of exhilaration and mirth.
Fort of Moti Daman
The massive Fort that runs round the settlement like a girdle, dates back
to 1559 AD. The Colossal structure in the present form encompasses about
30,000 sq. Meters. with 10 bastions and two gateways. The Fort is
protected by a moat on the land side and also connects the river to the
sea. It is basically polygonal in plan with projections at regular
intervals of about 500 feet and carrying splayed angular bastions.
The parapet above the fortification walls is without merlons but is
provided with loop holes. The terraces close to the top of the wall are
connected to the top of the wall are connected to the inner ground surface
by open flight of steps at many places. All along the inner wall, there
are barracks for defense personnel's. The inscription above the southern
(land) gate mentions that this gate along with the bastions adjacent to it
was completed in 1581 AD. after the Mughal invasion in Akbar's reign. The
inscription on the Northern (sea) gate gives the date of 1593 AD. for the
completion of the Fort wall. On the Northern side within the confine of
the Fort were located the palaces, the Secretariat and other official
buildings. A large number of Portuguese gentry and their families resided
within the Fort.
Fort of Nani Daman
The small fort with high stone walls encloses an area of 12,250 sq.
meters. It has three bastions and two gateways.
The most conspicuous part of the Fort is the giant gateway facing the
river with a large statue of St. Jerome and two giant human figures, on
either side of the gateway.
The imposing church of Our Lady of the Sea is the principal building
within the Fort.
Nani Daman
Nani Daman offers some wonderful sites to the traveler : Gandhi Park near
Nani Daman jetty, Nani Daman Fort and the church inside and the fishing
jetty where boats are anchored to name a few. The tourist crosses over to
Moti Daman through the Daman - Ganga Bridge where an old world of broad
roads, the massive Fort, the stately Light house, Gardens, Historic
Monuments and ancient Churches in Gothic style provide a feast to the
aesthetic taste.
|
