Portuguese India

Portuguese India, five districts on the Indian subcontinent, ruled by Portugal beginning in 1505. Three of the districts are coastal, namely, Goa and adjacent islands off the Malabar Coast; Daman (formerly Damão), near Nasik; and Diu, an island south of the Kathiawar Peninsula and adjacent mainland territories. The other two districts, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, were inland. India seized the inland districts in 1954, and occupied the three coastal districts in 1961. Portugal recognized the sovereignty of India over all the districts in 1974. Goa is now a state. The other four districts form the two union territories of Daman and Diu, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli. The capital of Portuguese India was Nova Goa, or Panjim.