History Of Daman

Daman has an interesting story of its past, which involves several diverse civilizations that have evolved in the region. The story begins right from the Kushana kings and pass on to the mighty rulership of Ashoka closely followed by the feats of Traikutakas tribesmen. Traikutakas played a vital role in shaping the early history of Daman. By the advent of the medieval period, the Daman's history shifts to the offshoots of the Chalaukya dynasty. During this period, the place was a central location for the ongoing battles between the different sects of the Chalaukya family. By the 16th century, like the rest of the country, Daman also witnessed the dominance of the Muslim rule for the next 200 years. With the arrival of the Portuguese in the port region of Daman, the city was surrendered to the Governor of Goa by 1559. Since then, the port city was ruled for 400 years by the Portuguese, until the Indian government seized the place from them in 1961. Scroll through the article to know more about Daman's history.

Daman History

Ancient Period
Just like other places in the sub-continent, Daman was also ruled by many rulers. Initially, the place was ruled by the Kushana Emperor and was called as Lata that formed a single part of the seven fragments of the Konkan Vishaya during the 2nd and 13th BC. As per archeological research, the place was controlled by the Mauryan Emipre and was later passed on to the Satavahana rulers by the end of the 2nd century BC. In the successive centuries, Daman went on to be ruled by Kshaharatas , Abhiras and Traikutakas in the 4th and 5th century AD. Daman, under the rule of the Traikutakas clan, was responsible for the expansion of its boundaries. Daman's territories were spread out further to the north of Maharashtra and south of Gujarat.

Medieval Period
In the medieval period, the Chalukyas dynasty belonging to different kinfolk predominated the district of Daman. It began with the Chalukyas of Badami seizing control in the region in the year 609 AD. After that the place went on to be passed on to their descendents known as Navasari Chalukyas, who controlled the district from the river Purna to till the north of Daman. In 973 AD, the place was captured by Chalukyas of Kalyani who were unsuccessful in retaining their control in the region for too long as they were suppressed by Chalukyas of Gujarat known as Anhilwad. The Chalukyas of Gujarat began ruling the place from 1160 AD until the region was annexed from them by Delhi Sultan in the 15th century. After a few decades in 1295 AD, the monarch of Delhi, Allauddin Khilji, subjugated the district of Daman by overruling the Gujarat rulers and the Devagiri Yadavas from the south. In the following years, the successors of the Ramasingh were successful in avoiding any combat with the Muslim and Gujarat Chalaukyas, until the Portuguese invaded the coast.

Portuguese Rule
The Portuguese invaded the coastal region of Calicut and established trade and military base in Goa by 1510 AD. The Portuguese officials were not content and wanted to explore the coastal region in the area by moving up north. In 1523, they came across this narrow strip of land facing the Arabian Sea. From 1523 onwards, several attempts were made to acquire Daman from the Shah of Gujarat but were abortive until 1559. Constantino de Braganza and his 100 fleets carrying armed men landed on the shores of Daman. The Abyssinian Chief, who was the leading his soldiers to battle against the Portuguese rule surrendered without putting on a fight. The port of Daman was easily ceded to the hands of the Portuguese leader by the Governor of Goa, Constantino de Braganza. However, Constantino de Braganza did not stay for too long as he was responsible for erecting the fort in Daman and handed over the control of the region to Diogo de Noronha with 1200 men. Since then, the Portuguese were in charge of the province until 1961, despite Indian Independence in 1947. In 1961, the Indian army, navy and the air force launched operation Vijay to integrate the Daman boundary to the Indian sub-continent. The operation was successful putting an end to the last vestiges of European supremacy in the country.