About Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu
Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu is a union territory on India's west coast, formed on 26 January 2020 by merging two neighbouring union territories. Its three parts lie apart from each other: Dadra and Nagar Haveli between Gujarat and Maharashtra, Daman on the Gujarat coast, and Diu, an island off the Saurashtra coast. The capital is Daman.
- Status
- Union territory since 26 January 2020
- Capital
- Daman
- Districts
- 3: Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman, Diu
- Area
- about 600 km²
- Population
- about 5.9 lakh (2011 census)
- Languages
- Gujarati and Hindi are the most widely spoken
History
All three areas were Portuguese territory for centuries. Dadra and Nagar Haveli freed itself from Portuguese rule in 1954 and became part of India in 1961. Daman and Diu were taken into India along with Goa in December 1961, and were administered together with Goa until Goa became a state in 1987. The two union territories were combined in 2020.
Places to visit
Silvassa, the main town of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, is surrounded by forest and tribal villages. Daman has the Portuguese-era Moti Daman fort and churches such as Bom Jesus. Diu is known for its large sea fort, the Naida caves and Nagoa beach.
Nearby
For neighbouring regions, see Gujarat, Maharashtra and Goa.
Page added October 2026.