Diu Fort: A Historical Portuguese Fort in India

The myriad incidents of the past have left marks not just in the books of history, but also on the face of earth. These marks are nothing but the various ancient structures built by the emperors, governments, wealthy merchants, organizations or any other person or entity with some authority and the money needed to erect such a structure. Many of such structures are incredibly different from the modern structures, which make them antique and worth visiting like the Diu Fort in Daman and Diu, one of the seven Union Territories of India.

Location

The Diu Fort is located in the coastal area of the town by the same name.

History

Prior to the construction of Diu Fort, there were a few coastal fortifications made during the reign of Sultan Shah Bahadur. The Portuguese arrived to the town during this period and demolished many of the structures built by the Sultan and early rulers of the town. Portuguese had been looking for a chance to dethrone the Sultan and capture the town, but were unable to do so until 1535. Fearing the attack by the Mughal army, the Sultan went to the Portuguese and sought their help to defend the kingdom against the attack.

The Portuguese took full advantage of this opportunity and signed a defense treaty with the Sultan. Under the terms of this treaty, they had been vested powers to construct a fort and keep their troops as a security measure. This act was the first step in gaining foothold over the region and dethroning the Sultan.

Putting days and nights together and employing hundreds of labourers, the Portuguese government was able to complete the construction in a period of six months.

Following the construction of the fort, several misunderstandings cropped between the Sultan and the Portuguese, which resulted in a battle in which the Sultan lost his life. The battle for the throne was not yet over, as a claimant representing the Sultan fought against the Portuguese candidate and won the battle. The Portuguese again used truce to settle down on peaceful terms, only to launch an attack later and gain control.

The fort witnessed the attacks of the Turkish Empire with 20,000 soldiers arriving in 66 ships, bombarding the fort till the point there were a handful of soldiers left in the Portuguese garrison. For reasons unknown till date, the Turkish armies suddenly stopped bombarding and turned to the Red Sea, marking the end of the battle.

The end of the Turkish attacks, followed by those of the Sultan and other rulers of Gujarat, kept the fort and army busy, only to win all the battles and rule over the territory till the 20th century.

The Portuguese rule ended in 1961 after India launched “Operation Vijay” in 1961, making the fort a property of the Indian government.

Structure

Diu Fort is one massive coastal fort offering a beautiful view of the sea. Equipped with bastions and a large, double moat which enhances the fort’s security and a jetty that is still functional, this 16th century reminiscence also features three entrances.

The main entrance of the fort features five windows and galleries extended to a point from where one can see the Panikotha Fort. Within the fort, one comes across several cannons. A light house can be spotted inside the fort, which now lies in ruins and yet is a place worth looking at and exploring.

What to See

Apart from the fort, visitors must see the following monuments:

St. Paul’s Church

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Built in the early years of 17th century, this church showcases the Gothic Revival Architectural patterns.

Church of St. Francis of Assisi

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The first church of the three churches in the fort, this structure now serves as a hospital.

St. Thomas Church

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This church has now been converted into a museum where visitors can look at the several sculptures among the wide collection of artifacts.

Apart from the churches, there are several residential structures which were once owned and occupied by affluent families.

Eat, Drink, Collect

Diu offers many varieties of food and snacks to the tourists visiting the fort and other attractions of the town. Popular hotels and restaurants of the town include the Hotel Apaar, Apana’s Food Land, Hotel Relax Inn, Hotel Alishan, The Resort Hoka Restaurant, Khajura Bar and Restaurant, La Dolce Vita, etc.

Alcoholic beverages are available easily and at reasonable prices around the town, which means that after a hectic day of exploration, visitors can cool themselves off and raise their spirits and rejuvenate for the next day.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Diu Fort is in December, when visitors can attend the Diu Festival, which starts on December 19 and goes on for three to four days. If not possible at this time, visitors are free to plan their visit according to their preferences, as the fort remains open all year long.

How to Reach

There is no railway station in Diu. The nearest station is at Veraval and Somnath in Gujarat. From thereon, visitors can hire a taxi or board a bus to reach Diu.

The Diu Airport connects the city with Mumbai, Porbandar and Surat. The city also enjoys excellent connectivity through road network.